Kentucky insider predicts four-star running back to LSU football

As of Saturday night, LSU officially has 10 commitments in their class of 2025 with the intent of gaining plenty more in the near future. Notably, the Tigers are trending for one of the best players in Louisiana, as Kentucky insider Josh Edwards predicted four-star running back James Simon to the purple and gold.

Kentucky insider predicts Louisiana-based four-star running back to LSU football

Running backs coach Frank Wilson and the Tigers are slowly building an absolute monster in the form of the LSU running back room. After landing two four-star signees in the class of 2023, they’re showing no signs of slowing down, signing four-star class of 2024 Texas product Caden Durham and most recently gaining a commitment from class of 2025 five-star Harlem Berry.

Still, even with one elite ball carrier already committed in the current cycle, the purple and gold might not be done yet. For weeks now, LSU has been trending in a major way for four-star running back James Simon, and it appears as though it might be reaching a peak.

On Thursday this past week, Kentucky insider Josh Edwards of 247Sports released his latest crystal ball prediction, forecasting the Shreveport, LA, product to the Tigers.

2Q SCORE
Calvary 21
Homer 0
TOUCHDOWN by freshman James Simon! Freshman! @CalvaryCavs @GeauxPrepsLA @FletchWorldWide @JamesDean_31 pic.twitter.com/EwStj9vkVo

— 318 Sports (@318Sports) October 9, 2021

Interestingly enough, this has become quite a trend for the talented Calvary Baptist Academy running back, as he’s officially received five LSU crystal ball predictions since December.

Ranking as the No. 163 player nationally, Simon has proven to be a productive recruit for years now, first making an impact during his freshman season in 2021.

Officially listed at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, James Simon is quite the bruiser, having recorded 373 touches for 3,109 yards and 52 touchdowns over the last three seasons combined.

Future of the Tiger running back room

Regardless of the outcome in this recruitment, Frank Wilson and the entire LSU running backs room should be well stocked for years to come. With three scholarship running backs of sophomore status or younger currently on roster for the 2024 season, they’ll be gaining plenty of experience all season long.

Furthermore, with the addition of five-star Metairie, LA, product Harlem Berry in 2025, they have the potential to form one of the best rooms in the entire country.

Harlem Berry takes the direct snap 78 yards for a touchdown. St. Martin’s and St. Mary’s are tied at 7 with 7:37 remaining in the second quarter. #fnf31@WGNOsports @aaronshanelee @WGNOtv
📸: @_anna_watson_ pic.twitter.com/SXYfiPrqdw

— Friday Night Football (@FNFwgno) November 26, 2022

This is a major change from both of the past two seasons. In fact, over the last two years combined, quarterback Jayden Daniels has led the team in both rushing yards and touchdowns, totaling 2,019 yards and 21 touchdowns during his time with the purple and gold.

As quarterback Garrett Nussmeier – a much more pass-oriented signal caller – is likely to take over in 2024, expect the leading rusher this season to come from the running back room for the first time since Ty Davis-Price did so in 2021.

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