LSU’s chances for an elite four-star RB may have just received a massive boost

Oklahoma doesn’t join the SEC for another season. Still, they appear more than comfortable competing with the conference off the field. For most of the class of 2024 recruiting cycle, LSU football has been battling the Sooners for elite four-star running back Caden Durham. However, just this morning, Oklahoma received a major commitment from running back Taylor Tatum, which could mean excellent things for the Tigers in the very near future.

Oklahoma receives a commitment from the No. 1 running back in the country

Oklahoma has experienced a largely successful class of 2024 recruiting cycle. Just this morning, the Sooners received a commitment from the No. 1 running back in the country, Taylor Tatum.

BREAKING: Elite 2024 RB Taylor Tatum tells me he has Committed to Oklahoma!

The 5’11 205 RB from Longview, TX chose the Sooners over USC

The No. 1 RB in the ‘24 Class will play baseball for the Sooners as well https://t.co/cnihVeApcd pic.twitter.com/5kdeCegEEL

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 21, 2023

In addition to being the top back in the class, he’s also listed as the No. 42 player nationally, according to 247 Sports. For Oklahoma, Taylor Tatum now ranks as their top commit in the class of 2024.

What does that have to do with LSU football?

Historically, if a team receives a commitment from a top-tier running back, they rarely get another in the same class. This isn’t so much because of an inability to, but rather a matter of competition.

While running back committees are incredibly common in college football, it’s not ideal for young backs with NFL aspirations. When you see a running back go high in the NFL draft, it’s generally a guy who was the star of the show at his school.

For LSU football, this is excellent news. The Tigers took a gamble with their class of 2024, only pushing hard for one running back. That player is none other than elite four-star running back Caden Durham.

That’s precisely where Taylor Tatum’s commitment to Oklahoma comes into play. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Sooners have a 66.2 percent chance of landing a pledge from Durham. However, following Tatum’s announcement earlier today, it wouldn’t surprise to see that percentage begin to lean LSU’s way.

Durham is listed as the No. 12 running back and No. 173 player in the country. He’s also one of the fastest players in the class, regardless of position. In 2022, he ran a 10.70-second 100-meter dash and could outrun many college-level runners.

In fact, he’s so confident in his ability that he’s not afraid to put a friendly wager on it. According to his Twitter, he may have an upcoming race against current LSU football wide receiver commit JoJo Stone.

Beat me Ina race nd I gotchu https://t.co/lkgtAISk3R

— Caden Durham (@CadenDurham29) July 21, 2023

Durham’s college decision is still slightly over a month away

For all we know, Durham might already have his college destination in mind. However, he’s already decided he won’t tell the general public for over a month.

Recently, he announced that he’d be committing on August 25th, the same day his team faces off against South Oak Cliff.

Aug 25th be there before and after the game‼️ #CITYOFCHAMPIONS

— Caden Durham (@CadenDurham29) July 18, 2023

Despite all of the unknowns in this recruitment, one thing is certain. Caden Durham is going to make some team very happy in the future.

For LSU football, this is one of the most important recruitments of the class of 2024. The elite four-star running back has game-breaking speed and will make an immediate impact for his soon-to-be-announced team.

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