LSU ready for early enrollees Jan 7, 2:04 PM With LSU classes set to begin on Jan. 14, we are one week out from the Tigers welcoming this year's crop of early enrollees to campus. The group is six deep, and is highlighted at the top by five-star cornerback prospect Kevin Toliver II. Toliver committed to the Tigers out of Florida more than two years ago, and he's remained on board throughout that stretch despite a heavy press from a number of different coaching staffs across the country. "I committed to LSU because it’s LSU," Toliver said soon after former defensive coordinator John Chavis left for Texas A&M, adding that he plans to move to Baton Rouge on Jan. 9. Toliver, like the rest of the incoming prospects this January, will be a full participant in spring practice with the Tigers, giving them a leg up on the rest of the class when it comes to competing for playing time in year one. Back in Louisiana, the lone high school prospect getting to campus earlier than the rest is running back David Ducre. Ranked by the 247Composite as the No. 1 fullback in the country, Ducre - who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash at 5-foot-11 and 238 pounds - will see time in a talented backfield as both a running back and fullback, likely stepping in for a number of reps right away with Connor Neighbors now gone from the lineup. Another Louisiana native set to be in classes at LSU this spring is four-star defensive back Jeremy Cutrer, who is ranked as the No. 1 safety in JUCO. After spending a couple seasons at a junior college in Mississippi, the Tigers scooped Cutrer back up after originally grabbing his commitment out of high school. It's expected that he will compete for playing time next year, and don't rule out cornerback being the first position he tries out. The most recent commitment, Nashville native and four-star defensive back Ugo Amadi, will also enroll early. Amadi and his family will be on campus with a handful of official visitors when the dead period ends and the contact period opens back up on Jan. 16. A few days later, Amadi will return to campus and begin classes. He's picked up a recent offer from Texas A&M, but Amadi said last week that the departure of Chavis won't effect his final decision and that he still plans to enroll in Baton Rouge this semester. The final two early enrollees are both out of the Lone Star State: Marble Falls tight end Hanner Shipley and Cedar Hill quarterback Justin McMillan. At 6-foot-5 and 285-pounds, some fans have speculated that Shipley could grow into an offensive tackle, but he maintains that the goal is to use him as a blocking tight end, mimicking the role Dillon Gordon has played in recent years. He chose LSU over offers from Texas, UCLA and more. McMillan gives LSU a third scholarship quarterback for the spring semester, following in the footsteps of both Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris as early enrollees for the Tigers. McMillan recently told the Geaux247 staff that he plans to redshirt next season, giving him time to get adjusted to the college game while the battle between Jennings and Harris continues forward. McMillan helped lead Cedar Hill to multiple Texas State Championships during his time as a high school quarterback.
More Info: Move-in Days coming for LSU's Early Enrollees Hunter PaniaguaTigerSportsDigest.com The early enrollees for LSU's 2015 will soon start arriving in Baton Rouge. When will they be on campus and what impact can they have for the Tigers? Here's the breakdown of LSU's six early enrollees with their expected move-in dates: CB Kevin Toliver | Move-in: Friday, Jan. 9 Toliver has been committed to the Tigers for about 26 months, and it will all finally become official when he sets foot on campus this weekend. With Jalen Collins' departure to the NFL and Rashard Robinson's status still in limbo, spots in the starting lineup are up for grabs, and Toliver should be in the thick of that discussion. He's a consensus five-star prospect and could very well finish the cycle as the No. 1 player in the Southeast, according to Scout's rankings. He's an instant impact type of player, and he'll serve some role in the secondary next season. These added practices in the spring should only give him a stronger case for a starting job. QB Justin McMillan | Move-in: Saturday, Jan. 10 McMillan will give LSU a third quarterback in spring practices. It would be a long shot for him to compete with Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris, but the Tigers think he has a high ceiling. Cam Cameron loves the way this lefty spins the ball and his ability to run. He's from a proven high school powerhouse and isn't afraid of the big stage. He played in front of more than 46,000 people for his state championship game this season. We'll get a look at just how those intangibles mix with the rest this spring as he gets to work with the Tigers. RB David Ducre | Move-in: Sunday, Jan. 11 LSU likens Ducre to Kenny Hilliard, and this four-star prospect expects to pick up his role. Ducre will be one of three scholarship running backs on campus this spring, so those added reps should give him an advantage before Nicholas Brossette and Derrius Guice get there in the summer. Ducre won't be the featured back in 2015 or 2016 — that's Leonard Fournette's job — but with his size, he should fill a special niche for that LSU backfield. An extra semester of practices should get him ready for carries come the fall. TE Hanner Shipley | Move-in: Sunday, Jan. 11 Shipley also figures to have an early impact at LSU. Though some speculate that his future's as a lineman, Shipley is all tight end for now and could feature prominently in the blocking game. With Logan Stokes gone, LSU could use another big body to join Dillon Gordon in its two-tight sets. Shipley fits that mold, and spring practices will help accelerate his readiness. CB Jeremy Cutrer | Move-in: TBD We're still awaiting final confirmation on when Cutrer will arrive, but he is all set to finally come to LSU. He completed his coursework at MGCCC with passing grades and can finally fulfill that commitment he made out of high school. He had 44 tackles, nine pass breakups and an interception this past season. He'll start off at corner for LSU and compete for playing time with a crack at the starting lineup. His two years of junior college experience could give him a leg up on the younger corners, and he'll serve as another talented option for LSU to replace Collins. CB Ugo Amadi | Move-in: Tuesday, Jan. 20 Amadi will be the last to enroll. He and his parents still plan to take an official visit the weekend of Jan. 16, and he'll officially move to campus soon after. Despite John Chavis' departure and Kyle Phillips opting for Tennessee, all expectations are that Amadi sticks with the Tigers. He'll have some work to do to climb up the DB depth chart, but he can carve out a role on special teams. Spring practices should help him find a place to fit in and see how he measures up with the rest of the corners on the roster.
KT talks with his family about LSU... http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/2015/01/lsu_signee_kevin_toliver_famil.html
A little report as to why Cutter hasn't made it to LSU as of late: Junior college cornerback Jeremy Cutrer was expected to enroll early, but he didn't meet the necessary academic requirements to do so, though he is still expected to enroll in the summer. Cutrer's status was regarded as "not a concern" by a source. The Tigers have LSU sophomore-to-be cornerback Ed Paris atop the depth chart as of now, but it's safe to say the race for the starting cornerback position opposite of Tre'Davious White has officially begun. Redshirt freshman Russel Gage has impressed LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond and is making a push for some playing time next fall. Junior cornerback Dwayne Thomas is doing well with his knee rehab and should fight to keep his role in the nickel back slot, but Riverdale's Donte Jackson will certainly challenge for that spot if he ends up signing with LSU. Jackson could also see time on the outside as a field or boundary cornerback depending on how quickly he adjusts to the college game once he enrolls in the summer. LSU 2015 commitment Xavier Lewis will also make a strong push for playing time in the nickel and dime packages before moving to safety down the road.
