The 2023 in-state recruit not named Arch Manning that LSU Football must land

When you think of in-state recruits that LSU football needs to land during the 2023 recruiting cycle, the first name that likely comes to mind is five-star quarterback Arch Manning.

Manning, a New Orleans native who is the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, will be one of the most highly sought after recruits in the nation.

While the Tigers are certainly in the mix to land Manning, there’s a good chance he ends up leaving the state. The odds aren’t necessarily in LSU’s favor (programs like Alabama, Clemson, Ole Miss, and Texas are also pushing hard for Manning).

(Fortunately for LSU, they have another quality 2023 quarterback option by the name of Ricke Collins they can pursue.)

Manning isn’t the only highly-rated in-state recruit the Tigers will be focusing on during the 2023 recruiting cycle.

In fact, there’s another in-state recruit that is nearly as important as Manning.

LSU football has to land a commitment from Shelton Sampson Jr

One of the top wide receivers in the 2023 recruiting cycle resides in the Tigers’ backyard.

Five-star wide receiver Shelton Sampson, 6-foot-4/181 lbs, is from Baton Rouge.

And he’s good. Really good.

The dynamic wide receiver, who is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 24 overall recruit in the country, has SEC-ready size paired with NFL speed. Sampson reportedly ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash as a sophomore. Even if that time isn’t 100 percent accurate, it’s still obvious that Sampson has an elite size/speed combination that could cause matchup nightmares for opposing SEC defensive coordinators.

For now, it sounds like Sampson is enjoying the recruiting process and hasn’t really narrowed down his list of schools, though he has established a solid relationship with Tigers running backs coach Kevin Faulk.

“Coach Faulk was quiet, too, as a recruit, so it’s good to be able to talk to him like one of my friends because I’m kind of shy,” said Sampson to Rivals recently. “It was a good conversation. It feels like a genuine conversation where I can say whatever I want.”

LSU is going to have a lot of competition for Sampson. Miami, Florida, and Florida State are already showing the Louisiana native plenty of attention. I’m sure more programs will join the mix soon.

The Tigers, however, have to find a way to keep Sampson at home. They certainly don’t want to be lining up against him on Saturdays.