The Wide Receiver Haul: LSU Signs Elite Wideouts in 2024 Class

LSU wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton has dominated the recruiting trail ever since his arrival in Baton Rouge,

The Louisiana native has locked down the Bayou State each year with his success continuing into the 2024 cycle.

On Wednesday, his three 2024 high school commitments put pen to paper along with Mississippi State transfer Zavion Thomas.

It's an impressive December haul with the Tigers also looking to add another Transfer Portal wideout this offseason.

A dive into the December Haul:

Jelani Watkins: 4-Star

Another outstanding wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2024 who is joining the Tigers … Brings elite speed to LSU … Rated with 4-stars in the On3 composite and ranked No. 207 nationally, No. 35 at his position and No. 37 overall in the state of Texas … Ranked as high as No. 5 nationally at wide receiver by ESPN and No. 98 overall … Dual sport athlete who also excelled in track and field … Two-time Texas UIL 6A 200-meter state champion … Won the titles as both a sophomore and junior … Claimed the title in 2023 with a 20.54 time, .32 seconds faster than the second-place finisher … Ran the anchor on Klein’s state champion 4×100 relay team … … Born in Louisiana but moved to Texas as a child … Clocked at 10.27 in the 100 … Plans to also run track at LSU … Played final season of high school football at Atascocita after transferring from Klein High School … Older brother Monte Watkins plays running back at New Mexico State.

Kylan Billiot: 4-Star

Standout in football, basketball and track and field at Terrebonne High School in Houma, La. … Wide receiver on the football team and point guard for the basketball team … Rated with 4-stars by 247Sports and Rivals … Composite 4-star ranking and listed as the nation’s No. 43 wide receiver and the No. 7 overall player in Louisiana … Rated as high as No. 4 overall in Louisiana by 247Sports … Invited to participate in the All-American Bowl … Earned 5A honorable mention All-State honors in basketball as a junior after averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 steals a game … Nearing 1,000 career points in basketball … Attends same high school that produced LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith … Described LSU as his “dream school” … On the track, has been clocked at 10.27 in the 100-meters and 20.39 in the 200.

Michael Turner: 4-Star

Four-star wide receiver who prepped at New Orleans powerhouse John Curtis … Listed as a 4-star in the On3 composite and rated the No. 49 wide receiver nationally and No. 11 overall in the state of Louisiana … Ranked as high as No. 11 nationally at his position and No. 7 in Louisiana by 247Sports … Played on both sides of the ball as a junior, helping John Curtis to a 12-2 mark and the Louisiana Division I Select state championship… Caught 25 passes for 519 yards and 6 touchdowns… Recorded 29 tackles, 1 interception and returned a fumble 71 yards for a TD … Earned First-Team All-District honors as a defensive back … Clocked at 10.5 in the 100-meters last spring … Played on same 7-on-7 team with fellow LSU signees Wallace Foster IV and Bernard Causey … Dual sport athlete who also competed in track and field as a sprinter.

Zavion Thomas: Mississippi State Transfer

A proven return specialist with elite-level hands provides the Tigers with a monster weapon ahead of the 2024 season.

After two years in Starkville, Thomas was ready for a change of scenery, electing to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Now, the Louisiana native is a Tiger after this program showed immediate attention to the elite wideout and return specialist.

Thomas is a player we expected the Tigers to handle sooner rather than later. Despite being a hot commodity in the portal, LSU put a full court press on him with an unofficial visit taking place on Monday.

After a 2023 season where he totaled 503 yards on 40 receptions, Thomas will be a key piece to what LSU builds next season. Keep tabs on the Louisiana native as both a coveted wideout for this program as well as return specialist.