5-star WR Shelton Sampson Jr. commits to LSU football over Alabama, Texas A&M

Koki Riley, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·2 min read
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Five-star wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. has committed to LSU football, he announced Saturday at Catholic Baton Rouge High School.

Sampson is the No. 4 wide receiver and No. 33 player in the nation for the Class of 2023, per the 247Sports Composite. Alabama, Florida State and Texas A&M were his other final schools.

"I'm from Baton Rouge, so the question was, 'Why not?' " Sampson told reporters following his commitment. "Why not go to LSU? I love how genuine the coaching staff is and I just feel like everything is going in the right direction.

"From the old coaching staff to the new coaching staff, I see a big difference and I feel like it's going in the right direction."

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After his commitment, Sampson said that quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan, wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton and recruiting specialist Jordan Arcement were his lead recruiters.

Another factor in his decision was the #SheltonStays movement. In July, LSU fans, players and commitments tweeted out the hashtag in support of Sampson going to LSU.

"It was crazy. When I first saw it I was shocked. I didn't even have words," Sampson said. "That definitely played a big part in me committing, showing how much they really wanted me."

Sampson is the 18th player to commit to LSU from the 2023 class. He is the third wide receiver to join the Tigers, joining top-40 Miami prospect Jalen Brown and three-star recruit Kyle Parker.

LSU has the No. 7 recruiting class in the nation and the No. 3 class in the SEC following Sampson's commitment. Sampson is the highest-rated commitment in LSU's class.

"They had a bunch of guys already committed, texting me and telling me that this is home," Sampson said. "I mean, they definitely showed me love."

Along with Sloan, Hankton and Arcement, Sampson also had the chance to speak with former LSU and current Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire at LSU's spring game.

"We both went to Catholic, so he was just telling me that Catholic to LSU is nothing like it," Sampson said.

Florida State was the closest school to nab Sampson away from the Tigers, as former Catholic coach Gabe Fertitta works as an offensive analyst for the Seminoles.

At Catholic last season, Sampson battled through injuries but still made 40 catches for 932 yards and eight touchdowns as the Bears captured the Division I state championship.

Koki Riley is a recruiting and high school sports reporter for The Daily Advertiser and the USA TODAY Sports South Region. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football adds Shelton Sampson Jr., 5-star WR from Baton Rouge