The regular season is now over. Some coaches are getting fired, and others are preparing for conference championships. All head coaches who still have a job are frantically trying to retain their current commitments and flip others. Wednesday, December 4th marks the beginning of the early signing period. The LSU class has taken some hits recently, but we’ll cover four commitments that could have an early impact.
Stars of the LSU Class
Harlem Berry, Running Back
The five-star New Orleans native is the top-ranked running back in the 247Sports Composite. Berry is not the biggest back at 5’10” and 180 pounds, but he possesses elite speed, elusiveness, and change of direction ability. Also, a talented pass catcher, his route running and receiving skills can create constant mismatches with linebackers.
Josh Williams is now out of eligibility, and Ju’Juan Johnson was moved to running back as a depth piece for the 2024 season. The only returning backs are Caden Durham and Kaleb Jackson. Of course, that could change when the first portal window opens on December 9th. Regardless of who returns to the running back room, LSU’s offense needed more explosive playmakers this season. Berry brings more of that element.
Carius Curne, Offensive Lineman
LSU beat out Arkansas for the top-ranked overall player in Arkansas and third-ranked offensive tackle in the country. The 6’4” lineman stars on both sides of the ball for his 6A high school. Opinions vary on whether he’s a guard or tackle long-term, but he has the athleticism to play either. Curne is a twitchy athlete who’s been laser-timed at 4.8 while weighing over 300 pounds.
It was important for Offensive Line Coach Brad Davis to add quality to this LSU class. The Tigers will lose at least two starting guards along with standout offensive tackle Will Campbell this offseason. Curne’s versatility should allow him to factor into the competition somewhere on the offensive line for 2025.
Aidan Anding, Cornerback
Anding is also a talented basketball player, so he didn’t start playing high school football until his junior year. Now a four-star cornerback, his stock has skyrocketed since then. Ruston High used Anding all over the field in its 2023 state championship campaign. Anding had multiple punt returns for touchdowns and held his own on an island against present Tiger Trey’Dez Green. He jumped on the LSU offer last summer after Texas led for his commitment earlier in his recruitment.
LSU is losing its best cornerback, Zy Alexander. There are certainly bigger names in this cornerback class, but Anding fits the profile of underrated Louisiana natives who play beyond their rankings. Think multi-sport high school athletes like Morris Claiborne and Corey Webster.
TaRon Francis, Wide Receiver
Francis committed to LSU during his junior year at Edna Karr High School over Florida State and Michigan, among others. Nicknamed “Manchild”, he’s a physical receiver who excels at making catches in traffic. The four-star prospect is physically developed at this stage at 6’2” and 200 pounds but can also win with speed. He has multiple kickoff returns for touchdowns in a tough 9-5A district.
Kyren Lacy will soon be off to the NFL, and CJ Daniels is entering the transfer portal. Francis’s big body is the ideal complement to fellow Karr wideout Aaron Anderson in LSU’s receiver rotation. He’ll have to fight off redshirt freshman Kylan Billiot, and Wide Receiver Coach Cortez Hankton will almost certainly look into the portal for wide receiver help. Either way, Francis will have a path to playing time.
