RECRUITING UPDATE: Justin Maclin

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Can pass-rushing phenom Maclin revive D-Line?

By RICHARD FISCHER
Tiger Rag Recruiting Contributor

It’s no secret that securing a high school player’s commitment is only half the battle. The other half is keeping the player committed all the way until signing day.

That’s why LSU has continued to stayed in-touch with four-star defensive end Justin Maclin of Memphis, Tennessee’s Ridgeway High School even after his verbal commitment on June 6.

Maclin’s high school coach Rod Brown said that he feels LSU has continued to target Maclin so assertively because of their defensive line’s struggles this season.

“LSU’s struggles with rushing the passer has made them aggressively continue to pursue him and make sure they have him locked down,” said Brown. “He’s definitely a sack master so they’re definitely excited with what he can offer them.”

The Tigers recorded a mere 20 sacks in the 2009 regular season, with only 14 coming from defensive linemen.

In Maclin’s junior campaign at Ridgeway, he recorded a staggering 95 tackles and 19 sacks.

“He’s definitely a guy that can come off the edge and can make plays in the back field,” said Brown. “The things that Justin brings to the table, you don’t just get in average kids every day. That’s being a 6′4 kid that can run, that’s got tremendous upside, and that can do a lot of things on the football field.”

Although the departed Larry Porter was integral in recruiting Maclin, Brown said other factors were strong enough to keep his commitment.

“He’s always had a childhood dream of coming to LSU,” said Brown. “He liked the campus and liked the big time atmosphere of playing football down there in the SEC”

After Porter’s departure, LSU tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Don Yanowsky and defensive coordinator John Chavis continued LSU’s dialogue with Maclin.

Brown said there is very little chance Maclin will change him commitment before signing day on February 3.

“He actually stopped considering any other schools. His top 3 choices before he committed to LSU were Alabama and USC,” said Brown. He had gotten offers from all three of those schools, and he narrowed LSU down as the top pick.”

Brown said one of LSU’s major selling points to Maclin was the possibility of early playing time.

“He’s excited with the opportunity he might have down there as far as getting in and getting some playing time early,” said Brown. “I don’t think he’s a kid that’s wanting to come down and be content with being redshirted.”