Key crystal ball predictions for Oregon, LSU in college football recruiting

Nov 5, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

After another key visit weekend in college football recruiting, LSU football and Oregon have started trending with elite recruits in 2024 and 2025.

It was a big weekend in the college football recruiting landscape. The dead period ended last week, which allowed programs to host recruits for visits this weekend.

LSU was one of the teams that had a big event and there were multiple reasons to be excited about LSU football’s push in the 2024 and 2025 college football recruiting classes.

On Friday, we learned that LSU football was hosting five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the top-ranked quarterback in the 2025 class, for a two-day visit. Underwood, who is from the state of Michigan, also visited the Michigan Wolverines on Sunday.

However, it’s clear that LSU football is going to be a legitimate contender for Underwood, who is among the top prizes in the 2025 college football recruiting class.

While it’s probably too early for crystal balls with Bryce Underwood, LSU is now trending for top-100 running back Caden Durham. Durham is ranked 95th overall in the 247 Sports composite rankings for 2024, as well as being ranked 9th at his position.

In addition to Durham, LSU is trending as the favorite for Joseph Cryer, an interior offensive lineman in the 2024 college football recruiting class. Cryer was committed to Ole Miss until recently and a number of crystal balls now project him to the Tigers.

Akili Smith Jr. has the look of a future NFL quarterback, just like his dad, who was drafted in the first round by the Bengals.

Smith was a stellar player for the Oregon Ducks back in the day and it looks like Oregon is now the favorite to land Akili Smith Jr., a top-100 quarterback in the 247 Sports composite rankings in the 2025 class.

Smith Jr. is 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, and has a rocket arm. He was actually on campus at the Michigan BBQ this weekend, but Greg Biggins of 247 Sports put in a crystal ball for Oregon which has always seemed like a logical destination.

With Michael Van Buren in the 2024 college football recruiting class and Austin Novosad in 2023, Smith Jr. would be the third consecutive four-star QB commitment for the Ducks in the first few seasons for Dan Lanning on the job. It’s also what it takes to win.