re: LSU Gymnastics Recruiting Thread (2024 and 2025 Recruiting Classes)

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Tigerbait, can you give some insight on what actually happened? Eg - multiple offers/bidding wars? I don’t need to know the numbers but am curious if everything was just smoke and mirrors or how hard Georgia actually tried

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I heard Georgia reached out to Jay/assistants but they said no they were happy at LSU. All are about to get contract extensions and nice raises (and deservedly so)

I don’t think Jay was ever serious about leaving but I understand Georgia attempting to throw an offer at him given the Georgia history. The Griffiths saying no also is telling. They are very loyal to Jay, they are about to get paid exceptionally well at LSU in addition to the benefits they get as an LSU employee

Jay has a great thing going at LSU with a legit shot at more titles in the coming years. Recruiting (if possible) got another boost just from finally winning one. Everything he needs is here and he has had every ounce of support since day one at LSU

I haven’t been the biggest Jay fan - or gnat beam coach fan, but I credit Jay starting last year for changing with the sport (two pass floor routines), etc and Ashleigh for getting them ready for that beam rotation. I don’t know that they could have beaten Oklahoma, but in the end, they didn’t have to. All in all, I am so proud of them and happy for them - for moving past KJ’s and Savannah’s uncharacteristic falls, for Aleah finally doing the beam set we knew she could. For not folding under immense pressure - I know I don’t have the mental fortitude for it.

Also, on a personal note, I have been to nationals several times, but didn’t go this year as it fell on my 40th birthday (the 420 in my username relates to that… not other things 420 is usually associated with, lol) - I was out of the country celebrating, but a truly great way to ring in your birthday :). Once I knew it was falling on that day - I had a feeling they would win it on my birthday!

I think he has adjusted

They started to put out those 2 pass floor routines after everyone else started getting away with it. He actually used his freshmen this year between Amari/Konnor, account for 5 of the 24 routines between those 2 alone.

Beam I feel they mentally became much stronger. Some of that is experience gained (Aleah especially) and the addition of someone like Konnor. But I will say they developed the hell out of Ballard's beam set compared to where it was previously.

Now for next year, in terms of adjustments I'd love to see them tweak a couple of specific routines but how they use this incoming class will be fascinating. Its absolutely loaded.

I may get a lot of hate for this but I would like to see everyone leave that should. I don’t want jay putting in a super senior over a freshman or sophomore again. That does nothing to help us in the long run. Also not sure how many schollys we have but would rather bring in transfers (Kara Eaker, Lily!,etc) instead. We aren’t really sure how much time these freshman will need after this summer trying to get to Paris to recoup. That also includes Aleah. I imagine they will rest her a good bit in the fall. Down vote away but this is my hope.

I am fine with super seniors in lineup if they are the best options. Whoever is the best option should be in the lineup. If Kiya comes back and is top 6 on an event, she should be in there. What we shouldn't have are better routines sitting on the sidelines out of loyalty to long-term contributors, which is arguably what we had a couple years ago.

To be fair to Jay I think he has shown that he can evolve. He did a good job this year of avoiding these issues. He took out people who have been in lineup for ages like Ballard on floor. I also like that he was changing lineups to optimise them even in postseason like Sav on beam rather than picking his 24 routines by midseason and just sticking with them. There was competition for those last spots and you could tell.

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She's a big name on paper, but based on her most recent routines, there's a lot of work to be done before her gymnastics is NCAA-ready.

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I completely agree 100%. She has the elite difficulty but quite a lot of form issues. Even on bars which is a good event for hers for elite, she has the handstands and loads of skills, but lots of leg separations and no toe point at all.

Chio probably has the best form overall of the incoming freshmen. Kaliya will be another monster floor worker and should be a great AAer. Miller VT UB FX? Her BB has some form issues.

I think Sav was so happy that she chose to come to LSU this year. She expresses positive feelings about the team and staff in this interview. She was a good fit with our girls. I am glad she ended her career being part of this National Champion Team.

LINK

Is ga’s hire a good hire? Anyone know and have opinions.

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Is ga’s hire a good hire? Anyone know and have opinions.

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Robert I’m not shocked but that’s a bizzare combo. It’ll be interesting to see how that works out

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Hurts our pipeline to WCC.

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It’ll def pull a dent but I’ll never stress over LSU’s recruiting with this staff and that national title is that last piece they have been missing to also sway recruits. You’ll see the impact of that with the 2026 class when they all commit this fall