To gear up for 2013 national signing day, GeauxTigerNation's Gary Laney will break down every commitment in the Tigers' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: DT Maquedius Bain, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School of Nova South, 6-foot-5, 285 pounds
Committed: Jan. 2, 2013
ESPN grade: 87, 4-star prospect
Picked LSU over: Oklahoma, Louisville and Marshall after previously being committed to Florida
State of the position: LSU has a huge need for help at defensive tackle. With senior Josh Downs departing and junior Bennie Logan apparently headed for the NFL, the Tigers are down to just two game-proven tackles in Anthony Johnson and Ego Ferguson. Bain and his classmates, like Greg Gilmore, will have an opportunity to compete for immediate playing time, then be the foundation for the future of what has been one of LSU's best positions in the past.
Pros: Bain is a tremendous athlete who played basketball before taking up football late. He's also a player willing to do what it takes to help his team, as he did his senior year when he moved to the offensive line, probably not the best position for his future, to fill a team need. When he develops his football skills to match his physical talent, he has a chance to be a tremendous player.
Cons: The rawness of his game means he has upside, but it also means he needs a lot of development. According to ESPN.com scouting, he tends to "play tall" and needs to "learn to better use his hands to protect himself." These are skills that aren't guaranteed to ever happen. One can always think of a raw, talented player who never learns to play with a low pad level and, thus, never meets his potential. That risk exists for Bain, who must work diligently to develop his football fundamentals to match his SEC-level talent.
Similar to/potential role: One has to go back some years, but Marc Boutte was a tall prep basketball star who had to develop his football skills at LSU in the late 1980s. He did and became a solid LSU player and had a long NFL career. Bain is heavier than Boutte was in high school, but his basketball past, length and athleticism recall Boutte.