There has always been a battle to reclaim north Louisiana in the name of LSU after Nick Saban and Alabama appeared to build up a stronghold in the area. It took until this year and a stronger emphasis in the area to make a dent up there, successfully getting two from the area in Trey Palmer and Devonta Lee. Adding those two gives Mickey Joseph one of the deepest positions on the roster.
Most who follow recruiting would have already penciled in Lee to LSU, especially with his teammate Ishmael Sophser a heavy Alabama lean, even leading on LSU through most of the season.