LSU Football: Tigers in top 8 for elite athlete from Florida

LSU football is among the top eight schools for one of the top athletes in the country.

2022 four-star safety Azareyeh Thomas included the Tigers in his top eight on Saturday, along with Oklahoma, Miami, Clemson, Florida, Georgia Tech, Alabama, and Louisville.

Thomas, 6-foot-3/176 lbs from Niceville, FL (Niceville), is ranked in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 9 athlete in the country and the No. 95 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class.

The dynamic athlete is hoping to make a decision in the near future.

What kind of shot does LSU football have to land Thomas?

Much like with most other uncommitted recruits, upcoming visits will play a huge role in where Thomas commits.

It’s been over a year since recruits have been able to visit college campuses on official or unofficial visits. The only way players have been able to check out campuses is on their own time. And if they choose to take a visit, they aren’t allowed to talk to coaches or anyone associated with the athletic program. That means no guided tours and no entering facilities.

The NCAA recruiting dead period currently runs through May 31, but there is optimism that visits will be allowed to resume in June.

Thomas is planning on visiting Florida and Georgia Tech in June. And I’m sure other visits will be scheduled, too.

So where does LSU stand?

It’s tough to tell.

Thomas isn’t tipping his hand too much, though he did recently discuss the Tigers with 247Sports.

“Coach [Corey] Raymond also has a history of producing first-round DBs,” said Thomas. “I love the way he talks to me. He talks about family, as well.”

Again, not much to glean from those comments.

Georgia Tech is likely the only program that might have a slight edge right now for Thomas, as his older brother is there.