After a long run of out-of-state prospects over the last month and a half, the LSU Tigers dipped back into Louisiana on Friday and picked up a commitment from the state’s top linebacker prospect: Melvin Jones from Lake Charles Washington-Marion.
Jones (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) gives LSU 17 commitments for the Class of 2013, 10 from within the state.
A four-star prospect according to Rivals, Scout and 24/7 Sports, Jones is ranked No. 148 on the 24/7 Sports Top 247 and No. 174 on the Scout 300. Jones is ranked as the nation’s fourth-best inside linebacker prospect by 24/7 Sports, No. 8 middle linebacker by Scout and No. 15 inside linebacker by Rivals.
ESPN is less definitive on Jones, ranking him with three stars as the No. 67 athlete prospect nationally and No. 21 in the state overall. Rivals ranks Jones No. 15 among Louisiana prospects, while 24/7 Sports rates him as the state’s seventh-best prospect.
Jones’ commitment is the Tigers first for 2013 at the linebacker position. This follows a concerted effort to shore up the linebacker position with six signees in the Class of 2012: Kwon Alexander, Trey Granier, Deion Jones, Lamar Louis, Lorenzo Phillips and Ronnie Feist.
If he signs with LSU, Jones would be the Tigers’ first prospect from Washington-Marion since offensive guard Nate Livings, who lettered from 2003-05.
2013 COMMITMENTS (17)
Chuck Baker, WR, 6-1, 190, Slidell Salmen
Josh Boutte, OG, 6-4, 305, New Iberia Westgate
Jeryl Brazil, ATH, 5-9, 180, Loranger (HS)
Jeremy Cutrer, S, 6-2, 180, Kentwood Jewel Sumner
John Diarse, ATH, 6-0, 210, Monroe Neville
Frank Herron, DE, 6-4, 245, Memphis (Tenn.) Central
Anthony Jennings, QB, 6-2, 205, Marrietta, Ga. (HS)
Melvin Jones, LB, 6-3, 245, Lake Charles Washington-Marion
Tevin Lawson, DT, 6-4, 275, Denham Springs (HS)
Quantavius Leslie, WR, 6-3, 185, Hinds (Miss.) Community College
K.J. Malone, OG, 6-4, 290, Ruston Cedar Creek
Michael Patterson, DE, 6-3, 235, Winnfield (HS)
Ethan Pocic, OT, 6-6, 285, Lemont, Ill. (HS)
Hayden Rettig, QB, 6-4, 222, Los Angeles Cathedral
Logan Stokes, TE, 6-4, 240, Northeast Mississippi Community College
Kennard Swanson, FB, 6-0, 250, Lakeland (Fla.) Lake Gibson
Tre’Davious White, ATH, 5-11, 170, Shreveport Green Oaks
