One of the most anticipated arrivals for Sunday's NFTC was that of the nation's top-rated offensive lineman, Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia).
Tunsil, the No. 3 overall prospect in the ESPN 150, has kept his recruitment close to the vest but was willing to reveal his top five Sunday.
"My top five as it stands is Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, LSU and Alabama," Tunsil said. "I like their playbooks, the offense will allow me to pull and have my hand in the ground.
Tunsil, the No. 3 overall prospect in the ESPN 150, has kept his recruitment close to the vest but was willing to reveal his top five Sunday.
"My top five as it stands is Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, LSU and Alabama," Tunsil said. "I like their playbooks, the offense will allow me to pull and have my hand in the ground.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
On Monday afternoon, LSU landed its first Johnny Jones basketball recruit in Shavon Coleman. Just hours later, news of another Tigers recruit surfaced.
Shane Hammink, a 6-foot-6 guard/forward from Holland via Canarias Basketball Academy in Spain, joined Coleman in the LSU signing class. The son of former LSU star Geert Hammink is considered one of the top prospects his age in Europe.
In the 2011 U18 European Championships, he averaged 12.3 points in seven games for the Netherlands. He was named the MVP of a major tournament recently at Tourcoring, France after he averaged 14 points a game for CBA. In the 2010 U16 European championships, he averaged 17.8 points and 8.9 rebounds.
Shane Hammink, a 6-foot-6 guard/forward from Holland via Canarias Basketball Academy in Spain, joined Coleman in the LSU signing class. The son of former LSU star Geert Hammink is considered one of the top prospects his age in Europe.
In the 2011 U18 European Championships, he averaged 12.3 points in seven games for the Netherlands. He was named the MVP of a major tournament recently at Tourcoring, France after he averaged 14 points a game for CBA. In the 2010 U16 European championships, he averaged 17.8 points and 8.9 rebounds.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Johnny Jones has his first recruit as LSU's men's basketball coach.
Shavon Coleman, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing from Howard College in Texas via Thibodaux, La., signed with LSU Monday afternoon.
Coleman, who averaged 14.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists for Howard as a sophomore, was recruited by former LSU coach Trent Johnson's staff and Jones stayed with the Louisiana native when he became coach over a week ago.
Shavon Coleman, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing from Howard College in Texas via Thibodaux, La., signed with LSU Monday afternoon.
Coleman, who averaged 14.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists for Howard as a sophomore, was recruited by former LSU coach Trent Johnson's staff and Jones stayed with the Louisiana native when he became coach over a week ago.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
LSU's series loss to Kentucky during the weekend doesn't appear to have soured anyone's opinion of the Tigers.
The most recent edition of the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 coaches' poll, released Monday, saw LSU (32-9) fall just two spots to No. 6 after dropping two of three games to the No. 3 Wildcats.
Two of the Tigers' four remaining SEC opponents climbed up the polls while LSU fell. South Carolina jumped three spots to No. 5 after a three-game sweep of Auburn. Ole Miss also jumped three spots to No. 19 after a series win against No. 17 Arkansas. LSU travels to face the Rebels on May 4, while the series with the Gamecocks will conclude the regular season from May 17-19.
The most recent edition of the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 coaches' poll, released Monday, saw LSU (32-9) fall just two spots to No. 6 after dropping two of three games to the No. 3 Wildcats.
Two of the Tigers' four remaining SEC opponents climbed up the polls while LSU fell. South Carolina jumped three spots to No. 5 after a three-game sweep of Auburn. Ole Miss also jumped three spots to No. 19 after a series win against No. 17 Arkansas. LSU travels to face the Rebels on May 4, while the series with the Gamecocks will conclude the regular season from May 17-19.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Lawson, LSU's No. 7 commit, improving 
April, 23, 2012
4/23/12
10:05
AM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE -- Based purely on physical appearance, Tevin Lawson looks like he could be ready for college football right now.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, Lawson became one of LSU's newest additions to the defensive line on March 30, when he became commitment No. 7 for Les Miles.
As imposing as he might be as a high school junior, the Denham Springs product has only scratched the surface of what he could become, according to his high school coach, Dru Nettles.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, Lawson became one of LSU's newest additions to the defensive line on March 30, when he became commitment No. 7 for Les Miles.
As imposing as he might be as a high school junior, the Denham Springs product has only scratched the surface of what he could become, according to his high school coach, Dru Nettles.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Despite holding a couple major SEC offers, Gadsden, Ala., wide receiver B.J. Hammond is somewhat of an unknown in the recruiting world.
On Saturday, he began to turn some heads with his performance at the Atlanta NFTC. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound prospect looked smooth running routes and caught everything that was thrown to him. He made it look easy.
“This is my first actual combine that I’ve been able to make,” Hammond said. “I feel like today was a good warmup. People look at it like you stood out, but it was just a warmup to me. They haven’t seen anything yet.”
On Saturday, he began to turn some heads with his performance at the Atlanta NFTC. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound prospect looked smooth running routes and caught everything that was thrown to him. He made it look easy.
“This is my first actual combine that I’ve been able to make,” Hammond said. “I feel like today was a good warmup. People look at it like you stood out, but it was just a warmup to me. They haven’t seen anything yet.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star defensive end Demarcus Walker of Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood was a standout among the defensive line at the Orlando Nike Football Training Camp Sunday.
Walker, who earned an invite to The Opening with his performance, was still disappointed after the event ended.
"I thought I was the best," Walker said. "I thought I should have been the MVP, but oh well, it's straight."
Walker, who earned an invite to The Opening with his performance, was still disappointed after the event ended.
"I thought I was the best," Walker said. "I thought I should have been the MVP, but oh well, it's straight."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
No. 4 LSU took the first game of its mega-matchup with No. 3 Kentucky on Friday, but the Tigers failed to capitalize for the second straight time Sunday, dropping a 7-6 decision and losing the series.
Overview: This has to feel like a game that got away for the Tigers (32-9, 12-6). LSU came up just one run short and made a slew of mental mistakes on the base paths, not to mention some severe bad luck. Whether it was Austin Nola getting thrown out at the plate t0 end the second inning, or Tyler Hanover being caught stealing second with no outs in the sixth, the Tigers accidentally threw away several base runners.
LSU also grounded into a frustrating three double plays. Nola hit the first of the trio with no outs and two runners on base with the Tigers trailing, 3-1, in the fourth inning. Casey Yocum killed off a potential rally in the seventh inning, when he hit the second with one runner on first and LSU trailing, 7-5. Jordy Snikeris completed the trifecta in the next frame when he ended a rally attempt by hitting into a 4-6-3 play.
Overview: This has to feel like a game that got away for the Tigers (32-9, 12-6). LSU came up just one run short and made a slew of mental mistakes on the base paths, not to mention some severe bad luck. Whether it was Austin Nola getting thrown out at the plate t0 end the second inning, or Tyler Hanover being caught stealing second with no outs in the sixth, the Tigers accidentally threw away several base runners.
LSU also grounded into a frustrating three double plays. Nola hit the first of the trio with no outs and two runners on base with the Tigers trailing, 3-1, in the fourth inning. Casey Yocum killed off a potential rally in the seventh inning, when he hit the second with one runner on first and LSU trailing, 7-5. Jordy Snikeris completed the trifecta in the next frame when he ended a rally attempt by hitting into a 4-6-3 play.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Jerad Grundy and Alex Phillips combined to scatter eight LSU hits and shut out the Tigers after the first inning of an 8-1 Kentucky win Saturday at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington, Ky.
No. 3 Kentucky (34-6, 12-5) was powered by a pair of home runs, by Austin Cousino and Luke Maile, to spearhead an 11-hit attack as the Wildcats evened the series and the top of the SEC standings with No. 4 LSU (32-8, 12-5), which won 5-4 on Friday. Sunday's rubber match will determine who gets the best of the three-game series and emerges as the SEC leader.
Here were some keys:
No. 3 Kentucky (34-6, 12-5) was powered by a pair of home runs, by Austin Cousino and Luke Maile, to spearhead an 11-hit attack as the Wildcats evened the series and the top of the SEC standings with No. 4 LSU (32-8, 12-5), which won 5-4 on Friday. Sunday's rubber match will determine who gets the best of the three-game series and emerges as the SEC leader.
Here were some keys:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Austin Nola's two-run, two-out double in the fifth inning gave No. 4 LSU the winning runs as the Tigers won their eighth straight game, beating No. 3 Kentucky, 5-4 Friday at Kentucky.
With the win, LSU (32-7) takes sole possession of first place in the SEC at 12-4. LSU continues to lead the Western Division while Kentucky (33-6, 11-5) leads the East. Many also look at the series as a 1 vs. 2 matchup because LSU and Kentucky are ranked 1 and 2, respectively, in the Collegiate Baseball poll.
Close the Door: LSU ace Kevin Gausman (7-1) didn't have his sharpest outing, getting touched for 10 hits and four earned runs in seven innings, while striking out 11.
With the win, LSU (32-7) takes sole possession of first place in the SEC at 12-4. LSU continues to lead the Western Division while Kentucky (33-6, 11-5) leads the East. Many also look at the series as a 1 vs. 2 matchup because LSU and Kentucky are ranked 1 and 2, respectively, in the Collegiate Baseball poll.
Close the Door: LSU ace Kevin Gausman (7-1) didn't have his sharpest outing, getting touched for 10 hits and four earned runs in seven innings, while striking out 11.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The regular season won't get much better than this weekend's clash between No. 3 Kentucky and No. 4 LSU.
Predictably enough, Lexington, Ky., ranks second as the No. 2 series of the weekend in the newest edition of the weekend preview -- behind only No. 2 Florida State vs. No. 12 Miami.
The Tigers (31-7, 11-4) can claim the top spot in the SEC with another series win this weekend. LSU's recent tear has raised eyebrows around the country, with the Tigers winning four of their five SEC series while downing the likes of No. 1 Florida and No. 15 Arkansas.
Predictably enough, Lexington, Ky., ranks second as the No. 2 series of the weekend in the newest edition of the weekend preview -- behind only No. 2 Florida State vs. No. 12 Miami.
The Tigers (31-7, 11-4) can claim the top spot in the SEC with another series win this weekend. LSU's recent tear has raised eyebrows around the country, with the Tigers winning four of their five SEC series while downing the likes of No. 1 Florida and No. 15 Arkansas.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ESPN 150's DeSean Smith has LSU in front
April, 19, 2012
4/19/12
1:57
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 tight end DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) plans to make his decision in January, during the U.S. Army All-American Game.
"I know I want to visit LSU and Alabama. I know I want to visit one of the three Florida schools [Florida State, Florida or Miami]," Smith said. "I would love to get out to Cal and see some places out West. And I will probably visit Notre Dame. All of those schools have offered. I have 18 total right now.”
Smith, now 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, said Texas A&M was the first school to offer him last summer.
"I know I want to visit LSU and Alabama. I know I want to visit one of the three Florida schools [Florida State, Florida or Miami]," Smith said. "I would love to get out to Cal and see some places out West. And I will probably visit Notre Dame. All of those schools have offered. I have 18 total right now.”
Smith, now 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, said Texas A&M was the first school to offer him last summer.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ESPN 150 inclusion has Taylor 'shocked'
April, 19, 2012
4/19/12
12:39
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
Since only five Louisiana prospects made the cut for the initial ESPN 150, it was a given they'd be familiar names.
The home state's lineup of Kendell Beckwith, Tim Williams, Standish Dobard and DeSean Smith have long been considered some of Louisiana's top talent, and all four have been on LSU's radar for some time. One name that wasn't as familiar to most was Christopher Taylor (Zachary, La./Zachary), an offensive guard and the state's final 150 prospect.
Taylor, who tips the scales at 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, is a bit of a unique find for the ESPN 150. He's talented enough to rank No. 6 in the country among offensive guards, but while most of his list mates are decorated with dozens of prestigious offers, Taylor has yet to receive an offer from a BCS program.
The home state's lineup of Kendell Beckwith, Tim Williams, Standish Dobard and DeSean Smith have long been considered some of Louisiana's top talent, and all four have been on LSU's radar for some time. One name that wasn't as familiar to most was Christopher Taylor (Zachary, La./Zachary), an offensive guard and the state's final 150 prospect.
Taylor, who tips the scales at 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, is a bit of a unique find for the ESPN 150. He's talented enough to rank No. 6 in the country among offensive guards, but while most of his list mates are decorated with dozens of prestigious offers, Taylor has yet to receive an offer from a BCS program.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Torrodney Prevot is finally working with his own football team.
That probably doesn't seem like a novel concept for the Alief Taylor High School defensive end from Houston. But considering Prevot's whirlwind spring schedule, it's nice to get back to some normalcy. Whether it was a trip to the Nike Football Training Camp in Dallas at the end of March, or his visit to LSU's spring game two weeks ago, Prevot, a four-star prospect, has maintained a busy schedule so far this spring.
With those types of trips winding down for the time being, Prevot said it's been good to get back to work on his own team.
That probably doesn't seem like a novel concept for the Alief Taylor High School defensive end from Houston. But considering Prevot's whirlwind spring schedule, it's nice to get back to some normalcy. Whether it was a trip to the Nike Football Training Camp in Dallas at the end of March, or his visit to LSU's spring game two weeks ago, Prevot, a four-star prospect, has maintained a busy schedule so far this spring.
With those types of trips winding down for the time being, Prevot said it's been good to get back to work on his own team.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
One-stop shopping for ESPN 150 release
April, 17, 2012
4/17/12
2:21
PM ET
By Bryan Mullen | ESPN.com
The highly anticipated ESPN 150 was released Tuesday. Here's your one-stop shopping:
Who made it and who didn't? Here's the ESPN 150 list.
Take a deeper look at some of the top players: Inside the ESPN 150
.
Robert Nkemdiche is the No. 1 prospect in the ESPN 150. How will he handle the pressure?
Tom Luginbill breaks down the list: Analysis
There were some tough choices to make. Who barely missed out?
ESPN's Mitch Sherman has some questions for Nkemdiche. Check out the interview.
RecruitingNation 411: Top classes, best recruits.
Give a listen to the podcast about how the ESPN 150 came together.
Who made it and who didn't? Here's the ESPN 150 list.
Take a deeper look at some of the top players: Inside the ESPN 150
.
Robert Nkemdiche is the No. 1 prospect in the ESPN 150. How will he handle the pressure?
Tom Luginbill breaks down the list: Analysis
There were some tough choices to make. Who barely missed out?
ESPN's Mitch Sherman has some questions for Nkemdiche. Check out the interview.
RecruitingNation 411: Top classes, best recruits.
Give a listen to the podcast about how the ESPN 150 came together.
ABOUT GEAUX TIGER NATION
Gary Laney
Gary Laney joined ESPN.com in 2012 after spending a year and a half as online sports editor of the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate. Before that, he covered LSU sports for the Advocate. He has also been the sports editor at the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and covered McNeese State athletics for the Lake Charles (La.) American Press. Laney currently lives in Baton Rouge. Email him at glaneyespn@gmail.com