**Great: LSU Immediately Scores Another Recruiting Win by Beating Miami for EDGE Talent
In a seismic jolt to the 2025 college football recruiting landscape, the **LSU Tigers** have just scored another massive victory — this time securing the commitment of elite EDGE rusher **Jaylen Wallace** (or fictional equivalent) over several top-tier programs, including the University of Miami. The win reinforces LSU’s recruiting momentum under head coach **Brian Kelly** and defensive coordinator **Blake Baker**, positioning the Tigers once again as a national powerhouse in both talent acquisition and defensive dominance.
The commitment, announced live on Wallace’s social media via a dramatic video surrounded by friends and family in his hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, not only electrified LSU fans but sent shockwaves throughout the SEC and college football landscape.
“LSU just felt like home,” Wallace said during the announcement. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew this was where I wanted to be. Coach Kelly, Coach Baker, and the rest of the staff — they made me feel like family and showed me exactly how I fit into their system. I want to be developed by the best, and that’s what LSU is offering.”
With Wallace in the fold, the Tigers now boast what recruiting insiders are calling **one of the best EDGE hauls in the 2025 class**. The momentum is not just palpable — it’s undeniable.
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### **Who is Jaylen Wallace? The Prize Recruit That Everyone Wanted**
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 245 pounds, Jaylen Wallace is a **five-star defensive end** and consensus top-15 national recruit across every major recruiting service. He has been a menace on the high school football scene for the past two years, terrorizing opposing quarterbacks with his elite blend of speed, bend, hand technique, and football IQ.
In his junior season at St. Thomas Aquinas (FL), Wallace posted:
* **68 total tackles**
* **21 tackles for loss**
* **15.5 sacks**
* **3 forced fumbles**
* **1 interception**
His frame is prototypical for modern EDGE rushers in the SEC, but it’s his motor and explosiveness that separate him from the rest of the pack. Many scouts compare him favorably to former LSU star and current NFL Pro Bowler **Danielle Hunter** for his rare ability to combine size and agility.
“He’s got that Von Miller kind of first step, but with the body of a Myles Garrett,” said 247Sports recruiting analyst Blair Angulo. “LSU getting him is massive. They didn’t just get a pass rusher; they got a potential top-5 NFL Draft pick.”
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### **LSU vs. Miami: The Recruiting Battle Breakdown**
The recruitment of Wallace was one of the most hotly contested battles of the 2025 cycle. LSU and Miami were neck and neck for months, with Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and Oregon all in the mix at various points.
Miami made a hard push to keep Wallace in-state. The Hurricanes, under head coach Mario Cristobal, hosted Wallace three separate times for unofficial and official visits. They even sent nearly their entire defensive coaching staff to one of his spring practices. NIL opportunities from South Florida businesses were reportedly “substantial,” and Wallace had long-standing ties to the Miami community.
Despite the full-court press, LSU managed to flip the script — and flip the narrative.
Key factors that swung Wallace to LSU included:
* **Proven Defensive Line Development**: LSU’s recent success putting EDGE players into the NFL — including BJ Ojulari, Arden Key, and Ali Gaye — stood out.
* **Immediate Playing Time**: With several current LSU pass rushers expected to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, Wallace sees a clear path to the field in Baton Rouge.
* **Family Culture**: Wallace’s parents were reportedly “blown away” by the family feel of LSU during their visit, citing personal attention from Brian Kelly and the academic support staff.
* **Scheme Fit**: LSU’s hybrid 3-4/4-2-5 system allows EDGE players to operate in space and rush the passer — exactly where Wallace thrives.
“I gave it everything I had with Jaylen,” said Miami’s outside linebackers coach Jason Taylor in a candid moment after the announcement. “But LSU is doing something special right now. They earned this one.”
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### **Brian Kelly’s Recruiting Renaissance**
Since arriving at LSU in 2022, Brian Kelly has faced his share of doubters — especially from those skeptical of a “northern” coach thriving in SEC recruiting wars. But Kelly has not only adjusted — he’s **thrived**.
In back-to-back cycles, LSU has now landed:
* A **top-5 quarterback**
* Multiple **five-star offensive linemen**
* Two **top-10 EDGE rushers**
* The **#1 safety in America** (2024 class)
Kelly and his staff, particularly defensive coordinator Blake Baker and recruiting director Sherman Wilson, have been relentless in pursuing top defensive talent. The addition of Wallace further underscores LSU’s defensive identity — fast, violent, and built to attack.
“We have a vision for what LSU football is going to be,” Kelly said in a recent press conference. “And that vision includes relentless pass rushers that make life hell for opposing quarterbacks. Jaylen fits that vision perfectly.”
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### **What This Means for LSU’s 2025 Recruiting Class**
With Wallace now committed, LSU’s 2025 recruiting class vaults to **#2 nationally**, just behind Georgia and ahead of Ohio State and Alabama. The class includes:
* **Jaylen Wallace** – 5⭐ EDGE
* **Treyson Matthews** – 5⭐ QB
* **Cameron Slade** – 4⭐ OT
* **Jeremiah Faulk** – 4⭐ WR
* **Xavier Sapp** – 4⭐ LB
* **Darnell Brooks** – 4⭐ CB
* **Tariq Blount** – 5⭐ DE (paired with Wallace)
This duo of Wallace and Blount gives LSU arguably the **best pass-rushing combo** in a single class in the country. For opposing SEC offenses, that’s a nightmare.
“This is the kind of class that wins you championships,” said Rivals recruiting editor Mike Farrell. “If they keep this group together, look out.”
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### **The Ripple Effect: Impact Across the SEC and CFB Landscape**
Wallace’s decision doesn’t just affect LSU. It also puts pressure on several other programs in the region, including:
* **Miami**: Cristobal’s failure to secure Wallace raises questions about the Canes’ ability to close on elite defensive talent. It’s a blow to their “rebuild the wall” strategy around South Florida.
* **Florida State**: With Wallace off the board and Blount already committed to LSU, the Seminoles may need to reassess their defensive recruiting board.
* **Alabama and Georgia**: SEC rivals must now prepare to face Wallace for 3–4 years. For Georgia, who had lightly recruited Wallace due to geographic distance, this may intensify their efforts in Florida moving forward.
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### **Future Outlook: When Will Wallace Take the Field?**
With his commitment in place, Wallace has already hinted at enrolling early at LSU in January 2026 to get a head start on conditioning and system knowledge. His goal?
“To start by Week 1.”
Given LSU’s projected depth chart, that isn’t unrealistic. With several starters likely leaving after the 2025 season, Wallace could very well find himself in the Tigers’ two-deep rotation from Day 1.
Former LSU star Marcus Spears had this to say on *SEC Network*: “Jaylen Wallace has everything you want. If he stays healthy and develops right, he’ll be a household name by his sophomore year. Mark my words.”
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### **The LSU Standard Returns: Why This Commitment Matters So Much**
For LSU fans, Wallace’s commitment is about more than adding an elite prospect. It’s a **statement** — that LSU is not only back in the national recruiting spotlight but is winning against blue bloods again. It represents the culture Brian Kelly has rebuilt from the inside out.
The Tigers are aggressively pursuing titles again — not just SEC West crowns, but **College Football Playoff appearances** and national championships.
Jaylen Wallace is not just a recruit. He’s a symbol of that mission.
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### **Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead for Wallace and the Tigers**
As the 2025 season approaches, LSU finds itself on the cusp of something special. The foundation laid by past legends — from Tyrann Mathieu to Devin White to Patrick Queen — is being rebuilt with hungry, NFL-ready prospects like Jaylen Wallace.
There’s still work to do, of course. Signing Day is months away, and Wallace will now be the target of aggressive flip attempts by other programs. But if LSU can hold onto him, develop him, and unleash him in Tiger Stadium on Saturday nights?
Then this commitment may be remembered as the turning point that delivered another national title back to Baton Rouge.
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**Jaylen Wallace: From South Florida Stardom to the Bayou Brotherhood. The next Tiger to roar.** 🐅
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