LSU gets head start on class of 2009

(UWIRE) BATON ROUGE, La. -- Les Miles and the LSU coaching staff did not spend much time soaking up the Jan. 7 national championship victory.

Just weeks into the 2009 recruiting process, the Tigers have landed seven commitments, the most in the Southeastern Conference.

The Tigers' class is headlined on offense by Leesville running back Michael Ford (5-10, 200 pounds) and Houston quarterback Russell Shepard (6-2, 183 pounds).

Although Shepard, the nation's fourth best player and a five-star recruit, according to Rivals.com, had only seen the Tigers play on television, his visit to Junior Day on Feb. 23 sealed the deal.

"Coach Miles brought me in and told me exactly where I would fit in with the team," Shepard said. "I want to continue to play quarterback, and LSU gives me that opportunity."

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers added depth to the line with the commitment of Houston defensive end Michael Brockers (6-6, 255 pounds), a four-star recruit and top-100 prospect according to Rivals.

Mike Scarborough of Tigerbait.com, a member of the Rivals network, points to the Tigers' Bowl Championship Series success as the driving force behind the hot start.

"LSU has a few more kids committed at this point than they are used to," Scarborough said. "Winning two national championships in five years is huge in terms of recruiting. As far back as these recruits can remember, LSU has been a dominant football program."

Shepard took notice of the Tigers after watching LSU's title run this past season.

"The chance to play for a national championship is huge," Shepard said. "Playing at LSU and in the SEC gives you that chance and a lot of kids want that opportunity."

Shepard points to one thing about the program that he said other universities cannot match.

"The [Cox Communications Academic Center for Student Athletes] is amazing," Shepard said. "The tutoring and resources available through the center are like nothing I have ever seen. It stands out to recruits that if a school puts this much money into education, then they really care about the student-athletes they recruit to LSU."

With the recruiting process kicking into high gear because of approaching summer camps, the Tigers will attempt to continue to build on an already stellar class.