Florida football recruiting: LSU rivalry intensifies

The LSU Tigers have been a great rival of the Florida football program for the last few decades. The teams have had many battles with championship implications and many high-intensity moments.

Between them, the schools have a combined seven national titles. Only one time , in 2003 (LSU) has a team lost this rivalry matchup and went on to capture the national championship. Over the years both schools have been on the wrong side of some questionable antics. Gator players seemed to mock the passing of Mike the LSU Tiger back in 2016. In a 2017 game following the death of legendary Gainesville native, Tom Petty, the LSU band attempted to drown out the playing of “Won’t back down”. Just to name a few prior incidents.

On the field, as of late LSU has swung the momentum in the rivalry and won the last three matchups and four of the last five. Florida football leads the all-time matchup with a record of 33-32-3. Despite championship success, LSU is on their third head coach since 2016. The Florida Gators are also on their third head coach since 2017.

This week the rivalry is expected to pick up as national signing day approaches on Wednesday. Both Brian Kelly and Billy Napier are competing against each other for several recruits, including three top players.

Harold Perkins, Jacoby Matthews, and TreVonte’ Citizen are all expected to make their decisions on Wednesday with both schools on their shortlists. All three players are ranked inside the top-10 for their position in the 2022 recruiting class.

Napier has posed a minor threat to LSU in the previous four seasons as he was the head coach at Louisiana-Lafayette. Now, Napier has shifted out of state but poses a huge threat to LSU with his background experience in the state of Louisiana. Florida football received a commitment from 4-star running back Trevor Etienne just a few weeks ago. This is significant because Etienne is from Louisiana and was picking from Florida,LSU, and Clemson.

These programs are set to do battle over Perkins, Mathews, and Citizen Wednesday. Will LSU be able to secure their own state over the Gators? Both Mathews and Citizen-4-star recruits- are in-state recruits for LSU. And can the Gators pull off the heist of Harold Perkins -#1 rated linebacker and 5-star recruit- despite a late push from LSU in his recruitment?

National signing day is tomorrow February 2nd, another chapter in the LSU-Florida football rivalry.