Heard is one of the few ready-made guys on the offensive line in this 2023 class and could potentially play immediately in Baton Rouge. He’s athletic and imposing, can bend, has good feet, and already understands the nuances of the position.
“The ideal size and athleticism sought at the offensive tackle position,” 247Sports National Analyst Cooper Petagna wrote in his evaluation. “Transitioned from the defensive side of the ball to the right tackle position as a junior, Heard showcases the size, athleticism, and play temperament to develop into an elite level collegiate prospect at the next level. With a 7-foot plus wing span and almost 37-inch arms, the Neville standout’s combination of length and natural athleticism make him one of the more intriguing players in this year’s cycle.”
LSU adds Heard to an offensive line haul that already included Tyree Adams and Paul Mubenga, and they’d love to close this class out with Top247 blue-chipper DJ Chester. LSU has a talented but inexperienced offensive line. This group could come in alongside current starters Will Campbell and Garrett Dellinger and be the foundation up front for championship-caliber teams down the road. You can certainly tell there has been a massive push by LSU to shore up the line of scrimmage. Pair the hogmollies recruited with the elite in-state athletes like five-star receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. and running back Kaleb Jackson, and you can be very potent on offense.
LSU has some opportunities to continue being potent on the trail moving forward. We already talked about Chester being a key target. The Tigers are also in the thick of it for five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor and touted defensive backs Javien Toviano and Bravion Rogers, along with another intriguing linebacker edge player in Tausili Akana. All four will take official visits this fall, and LSU is at or near the top of each list.
Regarding Harbor, I think LSU is in a sweet spot for the Washington (DC) Archbishop Carroll standout, high on South Carolina and Michigan, among others.
For Rogers, a recent Texas A&M decommit, LSU has been a factor for months and a big reason why the La Grange (Texas) High standout reopened the process.
Heard some rumblings Toviano could be at LSU’s upcoming home game against Southern but that may need to be rescheduled. Either way, he’ll return to Baton Route, and no doubt LSU is a school he’s fascinated by as they battle Texas, Texas A&M, and a couple of others.
Besides LSU, Akana’s upcoming official visits include Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M.
If Kelly and his staff could close Chester, Harbor, Toviano, Rogers, and Akana, that’s a sure-fire top-five finish for the Bayou Bengals. And a hell of a base to start building the program back into a national power.
