LSU Football signed a top defensive tackle class with only one player

LSU football signed one of the top defensive tackle classes during the 2021 recruiting cycle according to Rivals recruiting analyst Mike Farrell.

On the surface, that’s not surprising.

Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron is one of the best in the business when it comes to recruiting and developing defensive linemen — of course LSU is always going to have a solid defensive tackle class.

But here’s the kicker: LSU only signed one defensive tackle during the 2021 recruiting cycle.

One elite player makes all the difference for LSU football?

This week, Farrell broke down the top 2021 defensive tackle classes for Rivals.

Unsurprisingly, Farrell has Alabama with the top defensive tackle class after landing a couple of stud four-stars (Damon Payne and Tim Keenan III).

Farrell has the Tigers with the No. 2 defensive tackle class, despite five-star Maason Smith being the only player LSU signed at the position during the 2021 recruiting cycle.

That’s how highly Farrell thinks of Smith.

“While Maason Smith is the only defensive tackle in this class, it doesn’t matter,” said Farrell. “He’s the No. 1 prospect in this class and one of the most elite tackles I’ve ever seen out of high school.”

Smith, a Louisiana native, was ranked as the No. 19 overall 2021 recruit in 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Farrell’s evaluation of Smith is similar to what other recruiting analysts are saying about the elite LSU signee.

“[Smith] seems like a particularly high-floor D-line prospect who could play early, meaningful snaps, with a long-term potential in the early rounds of the NFL Draft,” says 247Sports recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks.

Smith certainly has the potential to be a stud player in the SEC. It should be fun to watch how his college career unfolds in Baton Rouge.