LSU Football: There’s real concern Tigers could miss on top 2 recruiting targets

LSU football could end up missing on their top two recruiting targets.

LSU football has played mediocre football at best this season.

But that was to be expected after losing 14 players to the 2020 NFL Draft (and several other key players who landed in the NFL as undrafted free agents).

When you combine a mass exodus of talent with replacing two important coaches (defensive coordinator Dave Aranda and passing game coordinator Joe Brady), you get a recipe for a rough season.

Despite the tough season, there’s a lot of optimism in Baton Rouge. That’s mostly because the Tigers have another solid recruiting class on the way (LSU’s 2021 class is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation).

For a while, it looked like the Tigers could finish with the top class in the nation. LSU, at one time, was considered the front-runner for five-star defensive end Korey Foreman and five-star defensive tackle Maason Smith.

But that may no longer be the case.

LSU football has some to do to land Foreman and Smith

Foreman, the top 2021 recruit in the nation, and Smith, one of the top players in the state of Louisiana, have been considered a package deal thanks to the strong friendship that’s developed between the two elite recruits.

Is that still the plan?

It’s unclear at this point (recruiting is unpredictable), but it certainly feels like Foreman is trending to two programs that Smith isn’t considering.

Foreman was supposed to be in Baton Rouge this weekend for the Alabama game. According to Rivals, that trip has been canceled.

The trip was reportedly rescheduled for the Ole Miss game (which is after the early signing period), but only because Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron did some convincing.

Foreman’s interest in USC and Clemson (where he was once committed) has picked up recently. It certainly feels like LSU is running in a distant third here.

As for Smith, I still like LSU’s chances, but Georgia and Miami are a real threat to land him.

Signing Smith felt like a slam dunk for the Tigers a couple of months ago.

Now? Well, I’m not so sure anymore.

Smith told 247Sports this week that his decision will come down to the “last day” (Smith is planning to sign during the early signing period in two weeks). That probably doesn’t bode well for LSU. I wouldn’t be shocked if Georgia swoops in and steals the Louisiana native from the Tigers.