LSU Tigers: Ricky Seals-Jones
BATON ROUGE, La. -- When Texas A&M joined the SEC, it was supposed to further open up Texas for SEC recruiting, especially for the school from the neighboring state, LSU.
In the 2013 class, it didn't work out that way for the Tigers.
LSU missed on a couple of prized targets, notably wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones, and finished the year with a rare recruiting shutout in the Lone Star state (although, it's worth noting that defensive tackle signee Christian LaCouture played all but his senior of high school in Texas).
Did it mean LSU had lost its touch in Texas?
Hardly.
LSU already has two 2014 commitments from Texas and is in the running for several more. Here's a look:
In the 2013 class, it didn't work out that way for the Tigers.
LSU missed on a couple of prized targets, notably wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones, and finished the year with a rare recruiting shutout in the Lone Star state (although, it's worth noting that defensive tackle signee Christian LaCouture played all but his senior of high school in Texas).
Did it mean LSU had lost its touch in Texas?
Hardly.
LSU already has two 2014 commitments from Texas and is in the running for several more. Here's a look:
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ESPN RecruitingNation has signing day covered. Follow ESPNU’s coverage, chat with analysts and get breaking news on our Signing Day Live page beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET through 7 p.m. ET. For more on what to expect on signing day, check out the SEC conference breakdown 
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Bold Prediction for the SEC:
Ole Miss' class will eventually be ranked in the top five nationally with the addition of No. 1 overall prospect Robert Nkemdiche from Loganville (Ga.) Grayson and possibly ESPN 150 prospects Chris Jones from Houston (Miss.) High and Antonio Conner from Batesville (Miss.) South Panola.
SEC East
Florida
Biggest need: Florida wants immediate help at defensive tackle. Jarran Reed from Scooba (Miss.) East should be able to provide that if he decides to sign with the Gators on national signing day.
Biggest recruit: The Gators have two five-star commitments: cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III from Tampa (Fla.) Wharton and running back Kelvin Taylor from Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades. No other school in the country can say that.
Georgia
Biggest need: The Bulldogs would like to pick up another top offensive lineman. They looked destined to land Laremy Tunsil from Lake City (Fla.), but the competition has heated up for him lately.
Biggest recruit: With 12 ESPN 300 commitments, Georgia has plenty of star power. However, it's impossible to overvalue the commitment of Brice Ramsey from Kingsland (Ga.) Camden, a quarterback the Bulldogs can build around.
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Bold Prediction for the SEC:
Ole Miss' class will eventually be ranked in the top five nationally with the addition of No. 1 overall prospect Robert Nkemdiche from Loganville (Ga.) Grayson and possibly ESPN 150 prospects Chris Jones from Houston (Miss.) High and Antonio Conner from Batesville (Miss.) South Panola.
SEC East
Florida
Biggest need: Florida wants immediate help at defensive tackle. Jarran Reed from Scooba (Miss.) East should be able to provide that if he decides to sign with the Gators on national signing day.
Biggest recruit: The Gators have two five-star commitments: cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III from Tampa (Fla.) Wharton and running back Kelvin Taylor from Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades. No other school in the country can say that.
Georgia
Biggest need: The Bulldogs would like to pick up another top offensive lineman. They looked destined to land Laremy Tunsil from Lake City (Fla.), but the competition has heated up for him lately.
Biggest recruit: With 12 ESPN 300 commitments, Georgia has plenty of star power. However, it's impossible to overvalue the commitment of Brice Ramsey from Kingsland (Ga.) Camden, a quarterback the Bulldogs can build around.
BATON ROUGE, La. -- A year ago, you had your list of big receivers on your LSU wish list for the 2013 class.
There were Ricky Seals-Jones, Quantavius Leslie, and any number of wideouts, 6-foot-3 and above. Any of them would fill a need for a tall receiver for the Tigers after the departure of Rueben Randle to the NFL.
There were Ricky Seals-Jones, Quantavius Leslie, and any number of wideouts, 6-foot-3 and above. Any of them would fill a need for a tall receiver for the Tigers after the departure of Rueben Randle to the NFL.
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Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook 
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
3:08
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday was a day off for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl teams. Instead of working out and participating in drills, the players took in visits around the city -- including a stop at the Alamodome for photo opportunities and to see their game apparel -- and used the day to recover from two days of practice.
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
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'Shaq' White showing size doesn't matter
January, 1, 2013
Jan 1
8:18
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Despite carrying the nickname “Shaq,” versatile athlete Tre’Davious White (Shreveport, La./Green Oaks) is listed at 5-11 and 175 pounds -- and even he thinks that’s generous.
For a player of his size and stature, covering the oak trees that are the U.S. Army All-American Bowl West team wide receivers might have seemed to be mission impossible at first. As White continues practices, the task has proven not to be the ridiculous challenge he once thought.
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U.S. Army Bowl: Monday notebook
December, 31, 2012
12/31/12
8:51
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 outside linebacker Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) isn’t big on speaking publicly. He’d rather let his game do the talking -- and it speaks volumes.
On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker officially confirmed that he will announce his college plans during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Oregon, Texas A&M and Ohio State are his three finalists.
Mitchell said all three schools -- and even a fourth, Oklahoma -- had their positive qualities throughout his recruiting process. It was a feeling of comfort, however, that seemed to win him over.
On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker officially confirmed that he will announce his college plans during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Oregon, Texas A&M and Ohio State are his three finalists.
Mitchell said all three schools -- and even a fourth, Oklahoma -- had their positive qualities throughout his recruiting process. It was a feeling of comfort, however, that seemed to win him over.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- GeauxTigerNation's Gary Laney answers your questions on LSU recruiting:
LSU has 23 players committed in its 2013 signing class. Who do you think will commit with the Tigers to finish the class?
Gary Laney: I'm going to guess LSU brings in five more before it's over.
LSU has 23 players committed in its 2013 signing class. Who do you think will commit with the Tigers to finish the class?
Gary Laney: I'm going to guess LSU brings in five more before it's over.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- By now, the typical follower of recruiting knows all the 4- and 5-star recruits. Ricky Seals-Jones is a household name, as is Robert Nkemdiche.
When Seals-Jones chose Texas A&M Monday, it dominated the recruiting news cycle. When Nkemdiche makes his decision, the news will rule the day, with the image of Nkemdiche at a table wearing the cap of the winning school on his head while surrounded by family and coaches sure to be placed all over the web.
But decisions like those are only a small part of December and January recruiting. More often, the story is about the kid who comes in from off the radar, the relative unknown who is either a late bloomer or simply late in getting interest.
When Seals-Jones chose Texas A&M Monday, it dominated the recruiting news cycle. When Nkemdiche makes his decision, the news will rule the day, with the image of Nkemdiche at a table wearing the cap of the winning school on his head while surrounded by family and coaches sure to be placed all over the web.
But decisions like those are only a small part of December and January recruiting. More often, the story is about the kid who comes in from off the radar, the relative unknown who is either a late bloomer or simply late in getting interest.
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What's next for LSU after RSJ decision?
December, 11, 2012
12/11/12
9:00
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By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- With Ricky Seals-Jones making his pledge to Texas A&M Monday morning, LSU missed on a much-desired 2013 recruiting target and was perhaps left with a hole in its recruiting class after the Tigers parted ways with former commit Chuck Baker last week.
Where is LSU left at wide receiver without Seals-Jones? Let's take a look.
What's left after 2012: Almost everything.
Where is LSU left at wide receiver without Seals-Jones? Let's take a look.
What's left after 2012: Almost everything.
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Live: Ricky Seals-Jones announcement
December, 10, 2012
12/10/12
9:05
AM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Four-star prospect Ricky Seals-Jones (Sealy, Texas/Sealy), the nation's No. 1 athlete and top recruit in Texas, will announce his commitment at 10 a.m. CT today. Seals-Jones will choose between Texas A&M and LSU. RecruitingNation reporter Sam Khan Jr. will be at Seals-Jones' announcement.
Follow his updates below.
Follow his updates below.
Ricky Seals-Jones sets announcement
December, 6, 2012
12/06/12
2:44
PM ET
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 athlete Ricky Seals-Jones will be making his college choice known to the world on Monday. His father, Chester Jones, confirmed to GigEmNation that Seals-Jones will make his announcement on Monday at 10 a.m. CT at Sealy (Texas) High School.
Ranked the No. 13 recruit in the ESPN 150 and the No. 1 player in the state of Texas, Seals-Jones is down to two finalists, LSU and Texas A&M.
Seals-Jones, who is ranked the No. 1 athlete in the country, was originally committed to Texas in the spring before decommitting and opening up his recruiting process. He trimmed his list down to Texas A&M and LSU in September.
He has taken unofficial visits to Texas A&M twice and once to LSU. He has scheduled an official visit to Texas A&M on Jan. 11 but has not yet scheduled an official visit to LSU. He received in-home visits from both Texas A&M and LSU last week.
Ranked the No. 13 recruit in the ESPN 150 and the No. 1 player in the state of Texas, Seals-Jones is down to two finalists, LSU and Texas A&M.
Seals-Jones, who is ranked the No. 1 athlete in the country, was originally committed to Texas in the spring before decommitting and opening up his recruiting process. He trimmed his list down to Texas A&M and LSU in September.
He has taken unofficial visits to Texas A&M twice and once to LSU. He has scheduled an official visit to Texas A&M on Jan. 11 but has not yet scheduled an official visit to LSU. He received in-home visits from both Texas A&M and LSU last week.
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After decommits, how might LSU proceed?
December, 4, 2012
12/04/12
8:24
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- When news came down last week that LSU had lost a pair of commitments from wide receiver Chuck Baker and fullback Kennard Swanson, it wasn't met with the angst from fans that one might think.
It wasn't long before the 4-star receiver and 3-star fullback parted ways that some were wondering how LSU would make room if all the star prospects who are considering LSU and still available -- including the nation's top two athletes in Ricky Seals-Jones and Kendell Beckwith -- want to come.
That doesn't seem to be an issue now.
It wasn't long before the 4-star receiver and 3-star fullback parted ways that some were wondering how LSU would make room if all the star prospects who are considering LSU and still available -- including the nation's top two athletes in Ricky Seals-Jones and Kendell Beckwith -- want to come.
That doesn't seem to be an issue now.
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Ricky Seals-Jones sets Texas A&M official
December, 3, 2012
12/03/12
4:16
PM ET
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 athlete Ricky Seals-Jones took the months of October and November to take unofficial visits to LSU and Texas A&M, but last week, the schools came to him as the in-home visit period began.
First was LSU special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey on Nov. 26, then Texas A&M recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Clarence McKinney followed three days later in making the trip to Sealy, Texas.
Both visits went well, according to Seals-Jones, and were similar.
First was LSU special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey on Nov. 26, then Texas A&M recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Clarence McKinney followed three days later in making the trip to Sealy, Texas.
Both visits went well, according to Seals-Jones, and were similar.
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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
2:20
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comCarl Lawson, Dee Linerand Reuben Foster are still committed to Auburn, but the Tigers' coaching situation could change things for the three ESPN 150 recruits.Auburn bid farewell to head coach Gene Chizik on Sunday. Could the Tigers also be saying goodbye to a trio of ESPN 150 recruits who could take their talents elsewhere?
Each week, RecruitingNation summons its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits leading up to February's signing day.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.Mailbag: Was Miles serious? Probably not
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
8:30
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
Taking your questions on LSU football and recruiting:
Do you think the talks with Arkansas were ever serious for Les Miles? Did Miles use it as leverage for more money?
Miles used the word "sincere" to describe his dialogue with Arkansas over its job opening. That's probably a good word choice because it reflects that Miles took it seriously and listened, but falls short of any suggestion that Miles was ever anywhere near leaving Baton Rouge.
Do you think the talks with Arkansas were ever serious for Les Miles? Did Miles use it as leverage for more money?
Miles used the word "sincere" to describe his dialogue with Arkansas over its job opening. That's probably a good word choice because it reflects that Miles took it seriously and listened, but falls short of any suggestion that Miles was ever anywhere near leaving Baton Rouge.
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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