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Derek Tyson, RecruitingNation 9y

LSU lands DE Arden Key

College Football, Football Recruiting, LSU Tigers, South Carolina Gamecocks

The 24th-ranked player in the ESPN 300, defensive end Arden Key, verbally committed to LSU on Monday night.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound prospect from Lithonia (Ga.) Hapeville Charter High School announced his decision on Fox Sports, picking the Tigers over South Carolina.

Although LSU fans probably are thrilled with their new edition, they likely won't rest easy until Key sends in his letter of intent Wednesday. Key has decommitted from South Carolina twice and even said the Gamecocks were his leader as recently as last week before announcing his decision Monday.

The four-star prospect visited LSU, Miami and South Carolina in January, and it was his visit to LSU that ultimately turned the talented defensive lineman.

With added bulk, Key has the ability to help the LSU front seven early on in his career.

"If he can continue to add size, he could contribute early and as he continues to physically develop," Key's scouting report reads. "If [he] can maintain quickness and athleticism, [he] can grow into a very good and highly disruptive college defender."

With the addition of Key, LSU is up to 20 verbal commitments, including nine ranked in the ESPN 300. The Tigers currently have the No. 11 class in the RecruitingNation rankings.

The Tigers' strong defensive class is led by Key and five-star cornerback Kevin Toliver II, who is already enrolled in classes at LSU.

With five-star prospect Iman Marshall and other ESPN 300 prospects Leo Lewis and Daylon Charlot still available, LSU has a strong chance to end with another top-10 recruiting class.

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