LSU's Jeff Grimes hits home run with offensive line class By David Ching | February 4, 2015 8:10:00 PM PST BATON ROUGE, La. -- Based upon his good fortune over the past few weeks, Jeff Grimes should consider buying lottery tickets. Three weeks after learning that draft-eligible starters Vadal Alexander and Jerald Hawkinswould return for another season, LSU’s offensive line coach cleaned up on national signing day -- effectively addressing the Tigers’ biggest area of need for this 25-man recruiting class. “We signed five offensive linemen and Grimes was a point guy on all of them,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “He just really did a great job.” LSU’s coaching staff closed out this class of linemen with a flourish. Within the past week, Grimes added a pair of ESPN 300 offensive linemen -- Chidi Valentine-Okeke and Toby Weathersby, a onetime Texas commitment who announced his decision on Wednesday -- to go along with previous commitments from guardMaea Teuhema and tackles Adrian Magee andGeorge Brown Jr. Max Olson/ESPN LSU's 10th-ranked recruiting class by ESPN includes standout offensive lineman Toby Weathersby. Teuhema -- ESPN’s No. 71 overall prospect and No. 2 guard -- is arguably the star of the group. ESPN rated Teuhema as the top offensive line prospect in Texas and Weathersby -- No. 149 overall and No. 9 at guard -- as No. 2. “The biggest need in this class of course was offensive line, not only because of the guys that graduated in Elliott Porter and La’el Collins and Evan Washington and all those guys, but also because of what we have departing next year,” LSU recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson said. “So we lost several guys and then we have a senior-driven class next year with Jerald Hawkins, with Vadal Alexander and some of those guys who will be draft eligible. “So we wanted to make sure that we had quality depth in a year where offensive line was heavy, especially from a national perspective. So it was our greatest emphasis in this class.” Highlighted by their recruiting hauls at offensive line and in the secondary, the Tigers wrapped up national signing day with the nation’s No. 10 class in the ESPN RecruitingNation class rankings. It was a relatively quiet day at LSU compared to the soap operas that developed at some other programs, but it was not without some drama. The Tigers landed a signature from Weathersby early Wednesday morning, flipped ESPN 300 athlete Derrick Dillon from Florida, ESPN 300 receiver Brandon Martin from Missouri and closed with Arden Key -- ESPN’s No. 24 overall prospect and No. 6 defensive end -- who committed to LSU late Monday night. They also added late signatures from tight end Foster Moreau and Australian punter Josh Growden while holding on to commitments from running backs Nick Brossette and Derrius Guice.
Now if we can just get someone coached up enough to actually complete passes behind this offensive line to compliment our stable of running backs and receivers we might have something here.......
A little writeup on the O line, from 247 Sports: (Maea Teuhema,Toby Weathersby, Adrian MaGee,George Brown Jr., Chidi Valentine-Okeke On paper, this is easily the best offensive line crop that Les Miles has assembled in his 11 classes in Baton Rouge. Getting the nation’s No. 6 offensive tackle, Toby Weathersby, on signing day bolstered what was already an impressive group for offensive line coach Jeff Grimes. One impressive thing with Grimes is he closed better than any other coach on the staff when one factors in five-star offensive tackle Chidi Valentine-Okeke. He has some work to do on the academic front, but it is well worth the risk when the country’s No. 2 tackle is the prize. Academics are no concern for Teuhema, the nation’s No. 2 offensive guard, who also has the feet to play on the edge. Grimes also reached into Ohio to grab the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Brown, who was committed to Florida prior to flipping to LSU in December. Add in Magee, who is a four-star tackle destined to move inside, and it’s easy to see why Grimes and Miles are so excited.
Feb 05, 2015 | 01:49 pm LSU's Most Valuable Recruiter Hunter PaniaguaTigerSportsDigest.com LSU offensive line coach Jeff Grimes takes the crown for Most Valuable Recruiter after landing five linemen in his first full class, including a pair of four-stars that committed in the last week Jeff Grimes welcomed his five new offensive linemen with a Latin phrase. Oderint dum metuant - Let them hate, so long as they fear No one can hate on the class Grimes assembled in his first full season as the LSU offensive line coach. Three of his five signees rank in the Top 11 at their respective positions, including No. 1 guard Maea Teuhema. What makes it even better is how it finished. Grimes landed Toby Weathersby (No. 11 OT) and Chidi Valentine-Okeke (No. 7 OT) within the final week of the cycle, the former on National Signing Day. That took his group from average at best, to one of the best in the country. Prior to the late additions, Grimes had only played an exclusive role in reeling in one of the commits — No. 40 OT George Brown. Steve Ensminger landed Teuhema and Magee was actually recruited by Brick Haley. So Grimes still needed to leave his stamp on the class, and he did so in a big way. Valentine-Okeke was the biggest surprise of the class. He had said himself that Alabama and Auburn were the two schools he was still considering. He was on the verge of committing to one of those schools two Mondays before NSD. An in-home visit with Grimes two days later made him change his mind, and he committed to LSU the next morning. Grimes brought a proven track record of recruiting to LSU. It was one of the biggest upgrades LSU made by hiring him. He was familiar with the SEC footprint and wasn’t afraid to go nationally, targeting states like California, Ohio and Virginia. He proved himself with this class. --------------------------- HONORABLE MENTION ---Frank Wilson deserves as much praise. Aside from coordinating the entire effort, Wilson played lead man on more recruits than any. He landed all three four-star running backs and locked down the city of New Orleans with Donte Jackson, Tyron Johnson, Xavier Lewis, Isaiah Washington and Lanard Fournette. He also assisted on guys like Kevin Toliver and Jeremy Cutrer, though you can argue that Wilson had a direct hand in every signing as the LSU recruiting coordinator. ---Ed Orgeron only had a month to work his magic on LSU’s class. He did manage to land No. 9 Arden Key, so you can imagine what he’ll do with an entire year. LSU’s looking at an elite group of defensive linemen in the state next year, and you know Orgeron’s chomping at the bit to get them. ---LSU reeled in the nation’s best cornerback class with a pair of five-stars. Though Frank Wilson ran point on Donte Jackson and Xavier Lewis, Raymond was with him every bit of the way. Raymond also reeled in Kevin Toliver and held on to his commitment for more than two years. Raymond continues to uphold the DBU tradition on the trail.
Yeah, I'd say that's about right. But hey, we did get a long snap specialist. That's like half a LB right.
Not a great writeup, but two of the top 5.... SEC’s top 5 incoming OTs for 2015 JON COOPER February 13, 2015 @ 7:52am The SEC will welcome several elite offensive linemen in the 2015 recruiting class. Four of the top six offensive tackles will walk onto SEC campuses ahead of next season. Here are the SEC’s top incoming freshmen offensive tackles: Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s references to ratings follow the 247Sports.com composite rankings. 1. Martez Ivey, Florida (Apopka, FL) The Skinny: Martez Ivey was Florida’s most important target and signee, and Jim McElwain has to rebuild the Gators’ offensive line. However, he has the cornerstone prospect in Ivey to do it. The No. 2 overall player in the country could land a starting job game one at left tackle for the Gators. Ivey’s listed at 275 pounds, and his frame will allow 25-30 pounds to be gained. Ivey grades out as well as Cam Robinson at Alabama and Laremy Tunsil at Ole Miss. Can he duplicate their success in his freshman season? 2. Drew Richmond, Tennessee (Memphis, TN) The Skinny: The biggest get down the stretch for Butch Jones is who he will build his offensive line around. Drew Richmond flipped from Ole Miss to Tennessee on National Signing Day, and he’s a massive get for the Vols. Richmond will be Butch Jones’ cornerstone and one of his most important signees moving forward. 3. Chidi Valentine-Okeke, LSU (Ludowici, GA) The Skinny: The first of two LSU book-end tackles, Chidi Valentine-Okeke has a huge future for the Tigers. LSU always produces NFL O-linemen, and Valentine-Okeke is the next in a long line of big-time linemen. Will he break into the lineup during his first season? This one could get interesting. 4. Toby Weathersby, LSU (Houston, TX) The Skinny: The second of the LSU prospects listed, Toby Weathersby is another big get for Les Miles and company. Weathersby is a dynamic run blocker, but he’ll have to hone his pass-blocking skills at LSU. Weathersby and Valentine-Okeke are wonderful future tackles for the Tigers. 5. Jack Jones, Tennessee (Murfreesboro, TN) The Skinny: Jack Jones is already enrolled at Tennessee, and the Vols will use him in 2015. Jones, along with Richmond, is crucial for Butch Jones’ success at Tennessee, and rebuilding the offensive line is paramount to the continual growth and championship run in Knoxville.
More: SEC’s top incoming OGs and OCs for 2015 Jon Cooper February 15, 2015 @ 7:23am The SEC is all about winning in the line of scrimmage, and several SEC teams are bringing in some of the best offensive guards and centers for 2015. Here are the top three players at both positions: Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s references to ratings follow the 247Sports.com composite rankings. Offensive Guards 1. Maea Teuhema, LSU (Keller, TX) The Skinny: LSU continues building the interior of the line with Maea Teuhema, the nation’s No. 2 overall offensive guard. And he’s a road grader. At 6-4, 340 pounds, it was easy for him to plow ahead against offensive players. He has tremendous size and fires off the point of attack really well. It’s doubtful he’ll make an impact in his first season, but he may be the best overall candidate to do so on the offensive line. 2. Javon Patterson, Ole Miss (Petal, MS) The Skinny: The early enrollee has tremendous feet, pass blocking ability and quickness for being 315 pounds. With Patterson being already on campus and going through spring practice, he could break into the lineup based on needs in 2015. 3. Lester Cotton, Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) The Skinny: Lester Cotton may be the best run blocker of the offensive guards, and he was a gem found right in Alabama’s back yard. Mario Cristobal has to be licking his chops to get Cotton on campus, and he’ll be a major asset moving forward. It’s doubtful he makes an impact in 2015, but he’s one to watch for the future. Offensive Centers 1. Kaleb Kim, Auburn (Hoschton, GA) The Skinny: Auburn continues to reel in some of the top center prospects in the country, and Kaleb Kim is another very intelligent player Gus Malzahn can build his offensive line around, similar to Reese Dismukes. Kim will fill out his 6-3 frame at Auburn, and he’ll make a future impact. 2. Tyler Jordan, Florida (Jacksonville, FL) The Skinny: Tyler Jordan was Florida’s biggest recruiter this off-season, and he’s one of the hidden gems in the entire class. Jordan is very intelligent, and he’s a very good football player. With Jordan plus Martez Ivey coming in, Jim McElwain has a strong foundation to build his offensive line around. 3. Darryl Williams, Mississippi State (Bessemer, AL) The Skinny: Darryl Williams may be the hidden gem in the Bulldogs’ recruiting class, and at 340 pounds, he’s a dynamic blocker. It’s unlikely he’ll make an impact as a freshman, but he’ll be a key cog for Dan Mullen in the coming years, much like Dillon Day.
