LSU and Alabama are playing one of the most anticipated games of the season. The on-field implications could shape the College Football Playoff, but what's happening off the field in recruiting is shaping the future of their matchups.
The Tigers and Crimson Tide go back and forth every year, battling for some of the same prospects to help form their rosters, and this year is no different.
From Patrick Surtain Jr. and Dylan Moses (who committed to LSU as a freshman in high school, only to eventually sign with Alabama) to DeVonta Smith, Kelvin Joseph and Ishmael Sopsher, there are plenty of names on the current rosters who considered both teams in recruiting. Alabama offensive lineman Matt Womack initially signed a financial aid agreement with LSU, which resulted in a recruiting violation for LSU when the Tigers acknowledged Womack publicly, only to have him renege on his financial aid and sign with Alabama.
There has been no shortage of recruiting battles in the current Class of 2020, so here is a look at some of the high-profile prospects both teams have been after.
DE Jordan Burch
ESPN 300 rank: 5
Commitment status: Uncommitted
Burch is the highest ranked uncommitted recruit left in the 2020 class. He released a top five of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU and South Carolina. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound recruit is from Columbia, South Carolina, so he was linked to the Gamecocks early, but it seems like other schools are higher on his list. Clemson made a surge, and Georgia was in the mix, but Alabama and LSU are both trying to make a big push for Burch. His recruitment is still up in the air, so this is going to be a fight to the finish.
RB Zachary Evans
ESPN 300 rank: 7
Commitment status: Uncommitted
This recruitment has been all over the map, mainly because Evans doesn't share much publicly. He has been said to have Georgia as his leader, then Texas A&M, and reports have gone back and forth among Alabama, Georgia, LSU and the Aggies. LSU and Alabama would love to add Evans, and both recently had him on campus. He is a powerful back with a lot of talent on the field, but no one knows where his recruitment is headed or when he'll make a decision.
TE Arik Gilbert
ESPN 300 rank: 12
Commitment status: LSU
Gilbert is a five-star tight end out of Marietta, Georgia, who many believed would end up at Alabama or even Georgia. He kept everything close to the vest and didn't tell anyone -- even his own parents -- which school he was choosing. Coaches were left in the dark until Gilbert surprised most with his commitment to LSU. It was a huge get for the Tigers to add a playmaker as talented as Gilbert, and to fend off Alabama and Georgia in the process was an added bonus.
WR Rakim Jarrett
ESPN 300 rank: 21
Commitment status: LSU
Jarrett has been committed to the Tigers since April, but that hasn't stopped other programs from recruiting him, including Alabama. The No. 2 receiver in the country, Jarrett recently visited Alabama and is seemingly interested, given that he at least listened to the pitch. He is from Washington, D.C., so there are no ties to Louisiana or the region. This is a prospect LSU would love to keep in its class for the future offense and to not lose him to Alabama.
CB Elias Ricks
ESPN 300 rank: 29
Commitment status: LSU
Ricks is another LSU commitment who is still hearing from other programs, including Alabama and Ohio State. It seems that there is some interest from Ricks, as he hasn't shut communication down. Ohio State might have a leg up on Alabama in trying to flip him, but both are after him and would love to add the No. 3 corner in the country.
WR Kayshon Boutte
ESPN 300 rank: 52
Commitment status: LSU
Boutte is yet another LSU commitment whom Alabama is coming after, and even though he has been committed to the Tigers since October 2018, Boutte is listening to the Crimson Tide. He has been going back and forth between the two schools for quite some time, with Alabama still pushing. Boutte could wait until February to make a decision, but he is still committed to the Tigers for now.
DT McKinnley Jackson
ESPN 300 rank: 162
Commitment status: Uncommitted
Jackson committed to LSU all the way back in November 2017 but decommitted the following February. The Lucedale, Mississippi, prospect has seen many schools come after him, including Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. He has kept in contact with LSU, despite the decommitment, and has been back for unofficial visits. The Tigers are not out of the race for Jackson, but the coaches will have to fend off Alabama and others for his commitment.
DT Jacobian Guillory
ESPN 300 rank: 217
Commitment status: Uncommitted
Guillory has scheduled his commitment for Dec. 20, and this is shaping up to be an Alabama-LSU battle. He's the No. 18 defensive tackle and is from Alexandria, Louisiana, so LSU might have the upper hand, but he still has time until he announces. Guillory plans to sign with his school in the early signing period, so once he makes his announcement, his recruitment will be over.