LSU added its first ESPN 300 offensive line engagement for the 2021 class on Wednesday at Garrett Dellinger.
Dellinger, which ranks 32nd overall, ranked in the top four for LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. His decision gives the Tigers staff eight ESPN 300 commitments.
“On my first visit, I really noticed how much I enjoyed the visit, enjoying it more than on other visits,” Dellinger said. “When I came home, I was enjoying talking about it with my friends and realized that it felt different. The last few weeks confirmed that this is the place I want to be.”
Dellinger is a 6-foot-6-foot, 270-pound offensive tackle from Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Michigan. He is the No. 2 prospect in the state, and LSU was able to pull him away from the Wolverines and Buckeyes.
Despite LSU’s distance from home and the coronavirus pandemic limiting Dellinger on the number of visits he could make to LSU and other programs, he and his family were comfortable with the school and coaches.
They were able to research online and get a view of the campus and the coaching staff school via Zoom video calls.
“With the termination of my officials, we were able to go to Google and speak to the coaches and have them stop,” Dellinger said. “So we still had the resources to find out, in addition to being down there.”
He was comfortable enough to commit and finish the process, which will now allow him to become an LSU recruiter. Dellinger’s teammate, offensive lineman Rocco Spindler, is the 65th prospect in the country and has already begun receiving some minor recruiting pitches from Dellinger.
“I started doing it last week,” said Dellinger. “I’ve been saying silly things like ‘Go Tigers’ and things like that. I’ve only said subtle things like ‘Come join me.'”
Spindler has LSUs on his main roster along with Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State, but has said he wants to make his official visits before making a decision.
However, Dellinger was ready to decide, and is now the highest-ranking pledge in the LSU class, ahead of linebacker Raesjon Davis, prospect No. 45, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who is No. 62. usually.
The Tigers now have 12 total commitments. They had recruitment class 11 before Dellinger’s engagement.
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