LSU Tigers Soar: Secure Pledge From Outstanding Safety

© Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK

Four-star safety CJ Jimcoily has committed to play for the LSU Tigers. Rivals rates the coveted defensive back as the No. 20 safety in the 2025 cycle, the No. 189 overall prospect and the No. 5 player from Tennessee.

Jimcoily chose the Bayou Bengals over Stanford, Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan and other elite programs.

LSU safeties coach Jake Olsen was the principal Bayou Bengals representative responsible for Jimcoily's recruitment.

CJ Jimcoily

A 6-foot-3, 210-pound safety from Nashville, Tenn., Jimcoily has primarily played cornerback at the prep level but has excelled when taking snaps at the safety position. In his junior year, he had 51 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. He also had an interception. According to 247Sports, LSU intends to use Jimcoily as a hybrid safety/linebacker. He is regarded as a "key piece" of LSU's future defensive backfield.

Not only does Jimcoily excel on the gridiron, but he also thrives in the classroom, boasting a GPA over 4.0. With his smarts, he carefully considered the possibility of committing to Stanford but ultimately selected LSU after the Tigers provided him with a plan to excel on and off the field in Baton Rouge, La.

"It was pretty hard between Stanford and LSU, those were the top two. I had to choose between a heavy academic foundation and sacrificing a little bit with athletics (at Stanford), then with LSU being heavy athletics, sacrificing a little bit with academics there," Jimcoily said. "When it came down to it, LSU can offer some things academically, as well as connections with their brand, because the LSU brand is insane. I’ll be able to use that to boost my own brand and use it to my advantage."

LSU Tiger's 2025 Class

With Jimcoily's commitment, the Tigers vaulted past Georgia to the No. 3 ranking in On3's industry comparison of the top 2025 recruiting classes. The only schools rated ahead of the Tigers are Ohio State and Alabama.

Jimcoily is LSU's 20th 2025 recruit with a four-star rating or above. The class is highlighted by a trio of five-star recruits—quarterback Bryce Underwood, cornerback DJ Pickett and running back Harlem Berry. Underwood boasts an NIL deal valued at over $1.3 million.

Come back to College Football Dawgs for more coverage of the LSU Tigers this season.