No. 1 Prospect in Louisiana Cancels LSU Visit, Trending Toward Commitment to SEC Rival in Shocking Recruiting Twist

The air around Baton Rouge grew palpably tense this weekend as seismic news rocked LSU’s recruiting trail. The No. 1 high school football prospect in Louisiana—long presumed to be leaning toward playing his college ball in purple and gold—has officially canceled his upcoming visit to LSU. In a move that has left fans, insiders, and analysts buzzing with speculation, he is now widely expected to commit to one of the Tigers’ most bitter rivals in the SEC.

The recruit in question is five-star defensive back Jacoby Matthews II, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound phenom from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. Known for his elite closing speed, long frame, and natural instincts, Matthews has been at the center of a fierce recruiting battle that’s featured some of the country’s top programs. But for LSU fans, the pain cuts deeper—not only is Matthews a homegrown star, but his roots and relationship with the Tigers run deep. Or so it seemed.

News of Matthews’ canceled official visit to LSU—previously scheduled for next weekend—spread like wildfire late Friday evening after recruiting reporter Hayes Cliffton broke the development on social media. Just hours later, multiple crystal ball predictions and RPM projections began trending toward Alabama, LSU’s fierce SEC West foe. And with that shift, LSU’s dreams of keeping the top talent in-state may be slipping away.

Matthews has yet to issue a public statement, but sources close to his camp suggest the decision was driven by “a feeling of being undervalued” by LSU’s defensive staff during spring evaluations. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told us: “He’s not saying LSU is out, but right now, the momentum is gone. Alabama has shown consistency in communication and a vision for Jacoby’s future that LSU hasn’t matched.”

That kind of sentiment cuts deep for a fan base that takes immense pride in keeping elite Louisiana talent at home. LSU has long referred to its home recruiting territory as “The Boot,” and landing the best players from within it has been a cornerstone of the program’s identity dating back to the Nick Saban era. From Patrick Peterson to Tyrann Mathieu, Odell Beckham Jr. to Devin White, LSU’s greatest teams were built on the backs of elite in-state stars.

So when a blue-chip talent like Matthews begins trending toward an out-of-state SEC program, it’s more than just a recruiting loss—it’s a potential identity crisis.

Recruiting expert and former LSU analyst Josh Barnett weighed in: “This one stings because he’s a prototype LSU player. Tough, physical, ball-hawking—he was tailor-made for Death Valley. You can’t lose that kind of player to Alabama and not feel it.”

Matthews has been one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2025 class since his breakout sophomore year. With offers from Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida State, and Ohio State, his recruitment has never lacked attention. But through it all, LSU remained at the forefront, hosting him for multiple unofficial visits and featuring him as the face of its in-state recruiting push.

That makes the timing of this decision especially difficult for Brian Kelly and his staff. Entering Year Four at LSU, Kelly is under mounting pressure to deliver results on the field and in the recruiting wars. After two straight top-ten classes, a miss on a major in-state player—particularly to Alabama—would be a notable setback.

Kelly, for his part, has emphasized the importance of building a “Louisiana-first” roster. During his introductory press conference back in 2021, he told reporters, “This state produces championship talent. If we lock down Louisiana, we can win national titles.” The vision hasn’t changed—but the execution may be faltering in this case.

Adding more intrigue is Alabama’s aggressive recent push for Matthews. After a visit to Tuscaloosa earlier this month, Matthews reportedly came away “blown away” by the Crimson Tide’s revamped defensive philosophy under new coordinator Kane Wommack. The former South Alabama head coach has brought a hybrid-heavy, attacking style that Matthews reportedly believes fits his skill set perfectly.

“Alabama rolled out the red carpet,” one recruiting insider noted. “They showed him tape of Minkah Fitzpatrick, talked about how he could be that next Swiss Army knife in their secondary. That resonated.”

The battle between Alabama and LSU for Louisiana prospects has taken on epic proportions over the years. From Landon Collins’ nationally televised commitment to the Tide in 2012, to recent battles over players like Shazz Preston and Dylan Moses, the border war has often defined the recruiting cycle in the region.

Matthews’ recruitment now appears to be the latest—and perhaps most dramatic—chapter in that saga.

For LSU, the road ahead becomes more complicated. With Matthews off the visit list and trending elsewhere, attention now turns to damage control. Can the Tigers regain momentum before an official decision is made? Sources indicate that a final commitment announcement from Matthews is expected in mid-July—meaning LSU has roughly a month to turn things around.

LSU defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks will likely spearhead that effort, with support from defensive coordinator Blake Baker and recruiting director Sherman Wilson. Whether that trio can re-establish a connection with Matthews remains to be seen.

LSU’s 2025 class currently ranks No. 6 nationally, anchored by several in-state pledges including quarterback Bryce Vaughn (Denham Springs), linebacker Kentrell Jones (Alexandria), and wide receiver Kaleb Mitchell (Lafayette). But missing on Matthews would mark the first time since 2018 that LSU failed to land the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana—a development that could reverberate across future classes.

“It’s not just about Jacoby,” Barnett added. “Other kids in Louisiana watch this. If he leaves, it opens the door for more out-of-state programs to come in and poach talent.”

It’s a troubling prospect for LSU fans who watched their team rise to a national title in 2019 behind the strength of homegrown talent. The recent success of out-of-state programs raiding the Pelican State, combined with the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal, has made recruiting even more volatile.

Matthews, for his part, remains quiet amid the speculation. His social media pages have gone dark in recent days, and no interviews have been granted since news broke of the canceled LSU visit. But those close to him say he’s in no rush to be swayed by the outside noise.

“He’s taking this seriously,” a family friend told us. “He’s not chasing NIL money. He wants the right fit—on the field and off.”

As the countdown to his decision continues, LSU is left scrambling to recover ground in a recruitment it once appeared to control. Alabama looms, not just as a rival, but now as the likely landing spot for one of Louisiana’s best.

It’s a familiar story for LSU fans. But this time, it cuts especially deep. Because in this era of college football, with so much changing around the sport, one thing was supposed to remain certain: that the best in Louisiana would stay home.

Now, that certainty is gone. And for Brian Kelly and LSU, the challenge is greater than ever—not just to recruit talent, but to retain their identity.

If Matthews does indeed pick Alabama, it will mark a symbolic moment as much as a strategic one. A moment that underscores how even the firmest recruiting foundations can shake under the weight of modern college football.

And somewhere in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban’s successor might be smiling. Because even in a post-Saban world, it appears Alabama still knows how to flip Louisiana’s finest.