Jordan Burch sticking with South Carolina isn’t a bad reflection on LSU football

LSU football was hoping to land five-star defensive end Jordan Burch on Wednesday.

LSU football did their best to land five-star defensive end Jordan Burch, the nation’s No. 17 overall player, but in the end they couldn’t overcome the distance between Baton Rouge and Columbia.

Burch, a Columbia native, stuck with South Carolina on Wednesday, inking with the Gamecocks on National Signing Day.

Landing Burch would’ve obviously been a big get for LSU. Missing on him is undoubtedly a disappointment.

But this shouldn’t reflect badly on LSU and Ed Orgeron’s staff in any way.

The Tigers gave Burch plenty to think about. It was enough to delay his signing until February.

But at the end of the day, Burch just didn’t feel comfortable leaving Columbia. And that’s completely understandable.

It’s no secret that Burch’s mother preferred South Carolina (because of distance), so it’s no surprise the Gamecocks were able to hold off LSU.

Burch’s ultimate goal is likely to get to the NFL. And while LSU has a better track record than South Carolina of sending players to the NFL, Burch is the type of talent that can get there regardless of where he goes to school.

If Burch plays to his potential, he’ll eventually be a first round pick. It doesn’t matter if he’s at LSU, South Carolina or Jacksonville State.

Missing on Burch hurts. But LSU still ended up with an elite 2020 recruiting class.

The Tigers will have plenty of ammunition to compete for championships for years to come.