​The LSU Tigers are continuing to recruit well despite missing out on five-star wide receiver Xavier Sabb. Sabb, a 6’1, 195-pound pass catcher from Glassboro, New Jersey, chose the Ducks over LSU, Tennessee, and UCLA. He carries a 95.94 composite rating on Rivals, ranking as the No. 20 player in the country, the No. 5 at his position, and the top-rated player in New Jersey. Sabb told Rivals he was committed to Oregon, stating, “I’m locked in and ready to bring a national championship to Eugene, Oregon.” His NIL valuation is listed at $371,000, per Rivals. In addition to the schools he narrowed his focus to, Sabb also considered Rutgers, Penn State, and Alabama during his recruitment.
From the visit breakdown, LSU clearly faced long odds. Sabb visited Rutgers eight times, Penn State six, Alabama five, Oregon twice, Michigan twice, and Tennessee twice, while visiting LSU only once. That disparity speaks volumes. While it would have been a boost for coach Lane Kiffin to add a five-star receiver to a 2027 class that has been performing well, a single visit rarely decides a recruit of this caliber. Oregon, by contrast, managed to bring Sabb on campus twice and closed the deal, strengthening the Ducks’ ability to compete for top-tier talent on both coasts. Sabb’s arrival represents a meaningful addition to Oregon’s program.
Sabb’s skill set has drawn comparisons to Jermaine Burton, the former Alabama receiver who later was a third-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024. Sabb’s athletic profile supports such comparisons: as a sophomore, he posted personal bests of 10.69 seconds in the 100-meter dash, 22.01 seconds in the 200-meter dash, and a 6’2” high jump. He is a multi-sport athlete with one of the nation’s most impressive athletic profiles for his position. Scouts view him as a legitimate high-major prospect at both wide receiver and safety, with the physical tools to contribute on both sides of the ball, though wide receiver remains his preferred position and is where Oregon will likely develop him.
LSU’s path forward remains solid despite missing out on Sabb. The Tigers’ 2027 class still features promising pieces, and the program will continue to pursue top talent while building depth and versatility.