Another LSU On3 RPM pick for a Top 100 recruit

It’s set to be a busy week with top recruits announcing college decisions, and another On3 RPM pick has been made in favor of LSU.

4-star Damien Shanklin , the No. 1 prospect in Indiana for the 2025 class, will reveal his college choice on Friday, July 5 at 4:30 p.m. CT. The finalists are LSU, Ohio State and Alabama.

After making official visits to all three schools, Shanklin chose to move up his previously planned commitment date in August to this week – meaning one school is set for good news from a Top 100 prospect.

Shanklin is the No. 12 EDGE rusher in the country and No. 86 overall prospect regardless of position, per the On3 Industry Rankings.

With a final three set, The Bengal Tiger’s Shea Dixon made his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine pick in favor of LSU with a confidence score set at 75%.

The Tigers are currently trending for Shanklin’s pledge on the On3 RPM, which includes an LSU pick from On3 National Recruiting Analyst Steve Wiltfong .

Wiltfong’s pick came as Shanklin wrapped up his official visit to LSU at the beginning of June.

“It was amazing,” Shanklin told On3 . “I was able to sit down and chill with the staff and players and I also feel very bought in there. Literally talked to the whole staff this weekend because the bond is there and also enjoyed my time with the recruits. But everything was great about the visit. Nothing but positive energy.”

Shanklin followed up his trip to Baton Rouge with an official visit to Ohio State the following weekend. Touted Buckeyes defensive line coach Larry Johnson is pushing to add another elite defender to OSU’s top-ranked 2025 recruiting class.

“It was good,” Shanklin told On3 of the trip to Columbus . “Had a great time. The Buckeyes showed me what I expected. And I also love the brotherhood that the players have and also just how they are with each other. I had a great experience and also had an wonderful time talking to Coach Day and Coach Johnson. But knowing that development is key is also something I love about the visit.”

Alabama rounded out Shanklin’s June with an official visit in Tuscaloosa, and new head coach Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide staff delivered a memorable experience to the blue-chipper.

“I had an amazing time,” he said of his time in Tuscaloosa . “And I also loved everything about Alabama. They didn’t disappoint.”

As the dust settles on his visits, what has set the Tigers apart from the Tide and Buckeyes?

Beyond LSU’s pitch for how Shanklin will be utilized in Baton Rouge and the direction the program is trending under head coach Brian Kelly, there is one key factor that has worked in favor of the Tigers.

Distance from Indianapolis to Shanklin’s future college home was not going to be a hurdle for any team, but relationships with his future coaches and primary recruiters has been key.

For LSU, the hiring of a pair of former Missouri staff members should pay dividends when Shanklin reveals his college choice. LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker and edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples both recruited Shanklin during their time at Missouri, then picked up on his recruitment after arriving at LSU.

From there, the staff built up enough momentum to land the first official visit in June, and those relationships coupled with Shanklin’s interest in LSU has seemingly been enough to hold off both Ohio State and Alabama.

Ohio State, Alabama and LSU make up the top three teams on the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings for the 2025 class, meaning the Top 100 prospect is choosing from the three hottest teams on the recruiting trail.

Come Friday, good news should arrive for the Tigers as the program looks to add to a commitment from 4-star Jesse Harrold by landing a second Top 100 prospect at the EDGE rusher position.

The post Another LSU On3 RPM pick for a Top 100 recruit appeared first on On3 .