LSU coaches let Jabari Mack know he's a priority

Destrehan High School, located outside New Orleans, has long been a feeder school for LSU’s football team.

The school has produced former LSU standouts Justin Jefferson, Jai Eugene and Glen Logan. Jefferson’s older brother, Jordan, was also a standout quarterback for Destrehan and ended up being a three-year starting quarterback for LSU, leading the Tigers to an SEC Championship in 2011 and the 2012 BCS National Championship game. 

The next big recruit out of the school is consensus four-star wide receiver Jabari Mack‍. Mack is rated as a Top 10 wide receiver in the country by On3 and Rivals.com and a Top 5 prospect in Louisiana by ESPN, On3 and Rivals.com. Rivals.com gives him the highest ratings as he is ranked as the No. 71 prospect overall, No. 10 wide receiver and No.5 player out of Louisiana. 

Mack has been a priority target for LSU’s coaching staff as he is the highest-rated wide receiver in Louisiana. That makes sense, as Louisiana has a deep history of producing talented wide receivers. Last season,  four NFL wide receivers from Louisiana were named to the Pro Bowl: Jamarr Chase, Jefferson, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. All four are alU alums.

Because he was a priority target for LSU, the coaching staff ensured he was treated well at LSU’s Junior Day.

“It was great because I got to meet with a lot of the coaches and take everything in,” Mack said. “The coaches said that I was a priority and how bad they wanted me over there.”

Two of Mack’s recruiters are LSU wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton and running backs coach Frank Wilson. Like Mack, they are from the same area code; Hankton and Wilson are both natives of New Orleans.

“I think it is great that they are both from New Orleans and they have that same mindset,” Mack said.

Mack has a great relationship with Hankton, and they talk often.

“We get a chance to talk every time that I’m down there and we also talk on the phone a good bit.,” Mack said. “We just don’t talk about football, we talk about life.”

Mack will visit LSU in June, but an exact date has not been set. He also plans to visit Ohio State, Texas and Texas A&M during the offseason.