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9:54 am
March 9, 2016
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The LSU Tigers added a marquee piece to their 2017 recruiting class on Friday in the form of offensive lineman Austin Deculus.
Nick Krueger of Rivals.com reported the talented tackle’s decision to join the Tigers.
“It’s just always been my dream since I was little,” Deculus said about playing for LSU, per Krueger. “The offense that they run suits me well; they just line up and smash you in the mouth every play.”
Deculus is a 4-star prospect who ranks as the No. 45 overall prospect and No. 10 offensive tackle in the 2017 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He also checks in as the fifth-best recruit from Texas.
“[Offensive line coach Jeff] Grimes has a good persona, and what I like about him is that he gives freshmen chances and doesn’t hold them back,” Deculus said, per Krueger. “If he has a guy that he thinks can be an All-American, he’ll give him a chance to shine.”
The Cy-Fair High School standout has displayed all the tools college football programs look for in a budding tackle. His combination of size (6’6″, 323 pounds), first-step quickness and raw power gives him the look of a future blindside protector.
Gerry Hamilton of ESPN provided a look at Deculus in action:
#ESPNJr300 OT Austin Deculus terrific in 1-on-1’s at #UAAllAmerica Future50. #LSU leads big pic.twitter.com/5VgFQU5Tuv
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) January 1, 2016
Deculus’ technique could use more polish, and his movement should become more fluid at the collegiate level. Those concerns are of the minor variety, though. The overall outlook is overwhelmingly positive.
Landon Wright of Today’s U passed along comments the coveted prospect made in January about some of the things recruiters told him throughout the process.
“They say that for me being my weight, I don’t show it,” Deculus said. “I’m at 325 right now and in very good shape. I play with a nastiness that they don’t see in many players. I have a very quick first step, and footwork-wise they say I’m one of the best.”
Ultimately, he decided LSU gave him the best opportunity to further develop those traits. The Tigers edged out several high-profile programs that showed interest in Deculus, including Michigan, Notre Dame and Alabama, per 247Sports.
LSU needed additional depth along the offensive line, and depending on how quickly Deculus can impress the coaching staff, the path to playing time is reasonably clear. With that said, it’s probably still going to take some time before he cracks the starting lineup.
“When I went to the game against Texas A&M last year, the atmosphere sold me as much as anything else,” he said, per Krueger. “Right then, I could see myself playing in Death Valley in front of all those people—and the amount of support from all those people was awesome.”
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