LSU kicked off Louisiana’s 2027 recruiting class with a big splash in mid-September and appears poised for another a month later almost to the day.
Hamilton Christian star Javon Vital Jr., one of the most dynamic athletes in the state, announced Tuesday that he would share a college commitment announcement Thursday.
[Update: Javon Vital decided Wednesday to postpone his commitment until after the season.]
And the home-state Tigers, who extended an offer Feb. 1, have positioned themselves well amid a group of finalists that also includes USC, Houston, UCLA and Sacramento State.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pound three-phase playmaker and four-sport standout grew up watching LSU sports and was blown away to become his school’s first-ever student-athlete to receive a scholarship offer from the home-state school.
“It’s every kid from Louisiana’s dream to get LSU, to get that offer, so it feels great,” Vital told Louisiana vs. All Y’all at the time, later adding, “Being the first person to get an offer from LSU, it’s pretty big. It’s pretty big for my school, and it sets a tone that you can go to any school, and you can still be good.”
His recruitment continued to take off substantially in the months that followed, including a particularly strong push from USC throughout the year.
But LSU associate head coach Frank Wilson III, who coached the team’s running backs, and the Tigers have continued to prioritize the Warriors’ versatile and explosive standout as one of their key in-state targets in the class.
Vital has meanwhile continued to post eye-popping performances week in and week out of his junior season to help lead the team to its first 5-0 start since 2006.
He has rushed for 860 yards and 18 touchdowns, passed for 745 yards and eight scores and returned punts for 98-, 72- and 68-yard touchdowns — all on pace to surpass his LSWA Class 1A all-state sophomore campaign.
In 2024, Vital finished with 1,528 yards and 25 touchdowns on 171 carries, another 1,239 yards and 18 scores on 81-for-136 passing, two kickoff returns for touchdowns on special teams and two interceptions on defense.
Evangel Christian quarterback Peyton “Pop” Houston became Louisiana’s first 2027 prospect to announce a college football commitment Sept. 14 when he pledged to home-state LSU.
Houston, the No. 2 overall prospect and No. 1 quarterback in Louisiana vs. All Y’all’s 2027 rankings, picked the Tigers over Oklahoma, USC, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Miami and a long list of other options.
Vital, the No. 9 overall prospect and No. 2 athlete in the class, is now the state’s next promising athlete on deck to share his decision.