Who would go to the LSU Tigers next?

Brian Kelly and the LSU football staff are in the midst of a crucial recruiting phase after making three commitments over the Fourth of July weekend.

Now that the program has led to 15 commitments in the 2025 recruitment cycle, the question is whether more can follow.

The Bayou Bengals have positioned themselves well for two defensive backs in the current cycle as the deciding moment arrives for Kelly and his staff.

During a busy weekend, LSU managed to secure commitments from:

– Damien Shanklin: #5 EDGE in America

– Zion Williams: Four-star defenseman

– Brandon Brown: Four-star defenseman

Now the program is looking to ramp up the pressure on defenders for the 2025 cycle, with a number of players attracting interest in the future.

Jhase Thomas: Defensive back

Destrehan (LA.) defenseman Jhase Thomas dreamed of an offer from LSU for the past few years, and after an impressive performance at LSU’s Elite Camp in early June, his dream became a reality,

After receiving an offer from his hometown school, Thomas was awarded a scholarship by Brian Kelly and the Tigers.

The 2025 defensive back was already on LSU safeties coach Jake Olsen’s radar after several unofficial trips to Baton Rouge.

By the summer, it was expected that if Thomas showed up at camps in Death Valley, the chances of the offer being submitted would be slim.

In June the time had come.

Thomas is said to have completed the 40-yard dash twice in the 4.4 time and put in an impressive all-around performance during the drills.

LSU has developed an efficient pipeline from Destrehan to Baton Rouge over the years, with Justin Jefferson being the most recent success story.

Now Thomas has a decision date instead of July 13th. LSU is ahead in this game and the Tigers are hoping to close out the game and add the state’s prized defender this week.

CJ Jimcoily: Safety

According to Shea Dixon of On3 Sports, the four-star safety from Nashville, Tennessee, puts LSU firmly in the mix with Jimcoily now limited to LSU and Stanford.

A high-profile defenseman who has already officially visited Baton Rouge, he continues to keep the Tigers at the top of his list with a decision looming ever closer. He will make an announcement between LSU and Stanford in late July.

There are ties here for the Tigers. Jimcoily’s father grew up in the New Orleans area and he still has family in Louisiana. For the Bayou Bengals, it’s a huge advantage at the end.

LSU safeties coach Jake Olsen has put all hands on deck in recruiting Jimcoily as the decision date approaches.

He’s a talented 6-foot-3, 210-pounder who’s preparing for a huge senior campaign at Limpscomb Academy. With an impressive double-digit scholarship list, it’s now a two-horse race between LSU and Stanford with the Bayou Bengals advancing.

DJ Pickett: No. 1 Cornerback in America

The highest-ranked cornerback in the 2025 cycle continues to make headlines as his recruitment ramps up significantly this month.

After a decision date was announced for July 17Pickett has been the talk of the college football recruiting world in recent days.

He’ll have to settle for LSU, Oregon and Miami after cutting Georgia from his finalists on Sunday, and now a decision is almost here.

For secondary coach Corey Raymond and the Tigers, LSU has been turning up the heat over the past six months. Pickett made three unofficial trips to Baton Rouge before arriving for an official visit the weekend of May 31.

Pickett was assisted on the refereeing duties by top players Kaliq Lockett (5-star WR) and Jaime Ffrench (5-star WR).

The trip to Baton Rouge put the Tigers in prime position to acquire his services, after LSU brought in former Tiger great Patrick Peterson to sign Pickett.

After the visit, it appeared LSU had momentum, but Pickett continued to make visits to the receiving officials from Oregon, Miami and Georgia.

From there others took over.

Now it is a wide open recruitment with a battle between three teams: LSU, Oregon and Miami.

With less than two weeks to go before the decision is announced, Oregon is on the rise, but LSU continues to push back.

LSU Country will share more about Pickett’s recruitment as he makes his way through the final stages.

Other LSU news:

BREAKING: LSU Football Flips Texas Longhorns Commit Brandon Brown, Promises to Tigers

The Additions: LSU Baseball Dominates NCAA Transfer Portal, More Moves Coming

LSU Football Newcomer Profile: Dashawn Spears Wants to Make an Immediate Impact

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Land: @LSUCountry_FN for all coverage of the LSU program.