LSU Tigers missed out on an opportunity to have the best positional duo in the 2027 recruiting class
The LSU Tigers missed out on an opportunity to land four-star tight end Anthony Cartwright III.
The LSU Tigers missed on four-star tight end Anthony Cartwright, who committed to Oregon over Miami, Michigan, LSU, and Michigan State.
Cartwright, a 6’5, 240-pound prospect ranked as the No. 16 tight end in the country and the No. 6 player in the state of Michigan, announced his decision on social media with a simple message: “God’s plans. Go Ducks.”
It’s a loss, sure. Cartwright has a future playing football at a high level, and a program like Oregon is getting a good one. But LSU is not losing sleep over this.
The Tigers already have the No. 1 tight end in the country
While LSU probably wanted Cartwright, the Tigers still have Ahmad Hudson, the No. 1 tight end in the country. Hudson is the No. 21 overall player nationally and the No. 4 player in the state. At 6’6, 250 pounds, Hudson has the chance to become an elite player at the position, especially playing for coach Lane Kiffin.
When you look at what Hudson brings compared to Cartwright, the gap is significant. Hudson is a five-star talent with legitimate size and upside that projects at the highest level of college football. Cartwright is a good player ranked No. 16 at his position — a fine prospect, but not one LSU desperately needed when it already has the best tight end in the class locked in.
LSU’s 2027 recruiting class still looks strong
LSU still holds the No. 11-ranked class in the country, the No. 5 class in the SEC, with one five-star and nine four-stars committed. That’s a solid foundation with plenty of time left before the class has to be finalized.
The Tigers probably do need another tight end at some point, but maybe the focus should shift toward other areas of need. The interior offensive line and offensive tackle feel like positions where LSU could use more attention in this cycle. Kiffin knows what he’s doing, though. He has always been elite at recruiting, and there’s no reason to believe the staff won’t continue filling holes as the class takes shape.
Losing Cartwright to Oregon stings a little, but this is not the kind of miss that changes the trajectory of a recruiting class. LSU has its top tight end already committed, the class ranks well nationally, and there’s still significant runway to add pieces where the roster actually needs them.