Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers secured the commitment of highly-touted defensive lineman Dylan Battle on Monday, but the team continues to look to add more talent to its 2025 freshman class.
This is a program-changing class, led by the nation's No. 1 player, Bryce Underwood, with several five-star prospects verbally committing.
Now, the Bayou Bengals are hoping to add more targets to this class before the end of the month.
LSU currently holds 22 commitments in the 2025 cycle, giving the program the No. 3 class overall in the nation.
But there are more candidates on their radar who may be on the radar sooner rather than later.
Two targets to look out for:
Kelly and the LSU staff continue to ramp up the pressure on Columbia (S.C.) Hammond School tight end Mike Tyler as his 2025 target nears a decision.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound player has more than 20 offers from programs across the country, pegged as a burgeoning East Coast star.
Now, his list has shrunk, putting LSU firmly in contention to land one of the top tight ends remaining in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
After spending the summer in camp with the Tigers, the team was impressed with the South Carolina native and ultimately extended him an invitation to play in the city for their Bayou Splash recruiting event at the end of July.
Tyler took his official visit in June, mulled over his options with camps in July and set a decision date of Aug. 17 before the start of his senior campaign.
“My birthday is August 18th, but I plan to announce my decision at my birthday dinner on August 17th,” Tyler told On3. “I will be attending either Duke, Louisiana State or West Virginia. I had great official visits to each school and I like the relationships with the coaching staff, so it will be narrowed down to those three schools.”
What sets each program apart? Tyler discussed his three finalists with Chad Simmons of On3 Sports as he got closer to making his decision.
Finalists:
Duke: “I like how they use me. They have a new coaching staff and their new offense will be similar to the Air Raid offense. I really like the offense and have a great relationship with not only my position coach but also the head coach. I think if I go to Duke I'll get playing time early on with a great offense in the ACC.”
LSU: “I love the Southern hospitality at LSU. I really do. The people are great and they treat strangers like they've known them for years. That felt good to me. I also like the coaching staff at LSU, the offense and how they use tight ends.”
West Virginia: “I never expected to like West Virginia as much as I did. The facilities are great and it feels like home. I love it. Everything is close and it's just a nice place to be.”
Tyler is fresh off a breakout junior season in which he recorded 33 receptions for 543 yards and seven touchdowns for the team.
A dynamic offensive weapon, he has shown the ability to play as a tight end both receiving and blocking and has high expectations heading into his senior year.
Now, he has made up his mind, with the LSU Tigers a sure bet for the South Carolina native, and the clock is ticking until he makes his decision public.
The prospect from Calvary Day School in Georgia is expected to make his admissions decision in the coming weeks, with LSU being his favorite.
Mathis, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive lineman, took an official visit to the LSU Tigers over the summer and the team was eager to sign him.
“I could tell right away that Coach (Beau) Davis is a really good coach. He's a hard worker and gets results. This means a lot to me because it's proof that his players are in the NFL. He's coached some really good college players and helped them get into the NFL. They seem to be in a good situation with him at LSU,” Mathis told 247Sports in April. “I think the campus is great and the facilities are even better. Coach Davis and his staff gave me a tour of the school and the facilities and everything was great.”
Auburn, along with Miami, Clemson and Louisiana State, received official visits over the summer and were seen as the team to beat late, but the Bayou Bengals have plenty of research here.
As it stands, LSU is stepping up its push and looking to add a player from the Peach State to its robust 2025 freshman recruiting class.
Mathis is expected to announce his college decision by the end of August, and LSU teams are putting all the pressure on the coveted defensive lineman.
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