LSU football among top contenders for 4-star linebacker

LSU football is one of the programs to beat for a four-star linebacker from Texas.

It’s fairly clear that Ed Orgeron and LSU football are making the state of Texas a priority in recruiting.

Three of the Tigers’ current 12 commits are from Texas, including four-star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (born in Louisiana, but grew up in Texas).

And LSU is hoping to continue the trend of adding elite players from Texas.

One of the players from the Lonestar state the Tigers are after is 2021 four-star linebacker Kendrick Blackshire, 6-foot-2/250 lbs from Duncanvile, TX.

Blackshire is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 27 player in the state of Texas and No. 7 inside linebacker in the nation.

Where does LSU rank among the contenders for Blackshire?

Rivals recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman recently ranked the contenders for the Texas native and he has LSU as the No. 2 most likely team to land the linebacker, just behind Alabama.

Spiegelman noted “It would have been very plausible to see Blackshire commit to the Tigers as recently as last summer, but his decision to postpone opened the door up for other contenders”.

Coach O, according to Spiegelman, offered Blackshire before his ninth grade season. So it’s clear there’s a deep relationship between LSU and Blackshire.

Though it’s worth mentioning that Blackshire had a good relationship with previous Tigers defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. It’ll be important new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini to make a good impression.

The elite linebacker doesn’t have a set commitment date, which means it could happen at any time.

If LSU manages to land Blackshire, they’ll be getting a player described by 247Sports midland region recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks as a recruit that “has made plays as traditional inside linebacker, off the edge, and playing with a hand on the ground”.

Brooks also noted that Blackshire could “could provide personnel flexibility in college”.