Cameron Robinson, top recruits to visit LSU
University High's Tim Williams, right, chases down Loranger's Breland Dillon during a game last month.
The LSU Tigers have to wish Cameron Robinson could play instead of just visiting for Saturday night’s big showdown game against No. 3-ranked South Carolina (7 p.m., ESPN).
Robinson, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive tackle from West Monroe, is the nation’s No. 1-ranked offensive tackle prospect, according to 24/7 Sports — for the Class of 2014.
LSU is considered a prime contender for Robinson’s signature, along with Alabama and Texas.
Foster surprise visit?
LSU is expected to get a visit from prep school wide receiver Christian Cumberlander (6-3, 190), according to 24/7 Sports, but it’s his companion on the visit that’s making news.
According to multiple internet reports, the nation’s top-rated linebacker prospect for 2013, Rueben Foster (6-2, 242), will be on the trip with Cumberlander, his former high school teammate from Lagrange (Ga.) Troup County. Foster is now at Auburn (Ala.) High school and committed to Auburn in July.
Foster is ranked as the No. 1 linebacker in America by ESPN, 24/7 Sports, Rivals and Scout and the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect by all but 24/7 (which has him at No. 7).
Other recruiting news
Also among those expected to be in attendance is East Feliciana defensive end Kendell Beckwith (6-3, 225), consistently rated as one of the top two players in the state along with University High defensive end Tim Williams (6-4, 230). Beckwith will be making another unofficial visit, not taking his official to LSU until after the regular season ends.
Meanwhile, LSU’s top early commitment for 2014, linebacker Kain Daub (6-3, 227) of Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood, said he is considering opening up his recruiting process again.
Daub, who is teammates with defensive end and Alabama commitment DeMarcus Walker, told ESPN TideNation, “My LSU commit is still pretty solid, but I think I’m going to open up the doors up again.
“Anything could happen, there could be a coaching change and I just want something to fall back on and not just close all doors just because I committed to LSU.”
As expected, Daub, the nation’s top linebacker prospect for 2014, is being “recruited” by Walker for the Crimson Tide. Walker even tweeted Wednesday that “Kain Daub is about to be the next on board,” though there has been no indication of that elsewhere.
Four-star defensive tackle prospect Greg Gilmore (6-4, 285) of Hope Mills (N.C.) South View said he plans to announce his commitment Nov. 8 after visiting Baton Rouge for the Nov. 3 LSU-Alabama game.
Gilmore said recently LSU and Florida are even as his leaders, though Oklahoma has recently entered the mix. The Sooners will get a visit for their Oct. 27 game with Notre Dame.
Saturday night fights
LSU will be trying to beat a top 10 opponent in a night home game for the first time since toppling No. 1-ranked Florida 28-21 on Oct. 11, 1997.
That Florida team was coached by current South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who is 11-3 as a coach against LSU but 0-2 with the Gamecocks.
Gate changes
Because of construction that has begun on LSU’s south stadium expansion, school officials advise those with seats in that end of Tiger Stadium to arrive early and be aware of access changes.
Fans who typically use Gates 11, 12, 14, 18 and 20 on the southeast corner of the stadium are advised to use Gates 1-3 or Portal B on the southwest side, though the aforementioned gates will be open.
For information, visit LSUSports.net/SEZ.
Numbers to know
17-1 — LSU’s record after losses under Les Miles, who has coached the Tigers to just one two-game losing streak in his tenure (Ole Miss and Arkansas to end the 2008 regular season).
6-0 — LSU under Miles in home games the week after a road loss.
5 — Number of players LSU started at left tackle in 133 games from 2002-11. So far this season, three players (Chris Faulk, Josh Dworaczyk and Alex Hurst) have started in that position.
4 — Number of different offensive line combinations LSU has used in its first six games.
Another O-line lineup?
The Tigers are likely to use their fifth different lineup Saturday with offensive tackle Alex Hurst’s questionable status with the team and right guard Josh Williford’s head injury from the Florida game. Center P.J. Lonergan (back) is also expected to be limited.
A potential starting lineup for LSU could be Dworaczyk at left tackle, La’El Collins at left guard, Elliott Porter at center, Trai Turner at right guard and Vadal Alexander at right tackle.
Lagniappe
The top ABC/ESPN announcing crew of Brent Musberger (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will call Saturday’s game, with Heather Cox as the sideline reporter. ... LSU has designated this as a “Gold Game,” asking fans to wear that color. ... Former LSU special teams coordinator Joe Robinson (an LSU graduate) is in his first year as South Carolina’s special teams coordinator and tight ends coach.