Currently ranked seventh in the nation, LSU’s 2024 recruiting class has an opportunity to rise in the rankings with the acquisition of Terry Bussey, the top-ranked athlete in the country.

As the top-rated uncommitted prospect remaining in the 2024 recruiting cycle, Bussey, ranked No. 11 nationally, will choose where he plays this Wednesday on National Signing Day.

After Jimbo Fisher’s firing, Bussey reopened his recruiting after initially committing to Texas A&M in late September. He chose not to sign with the Aggies on early signing day instead. It is said that he is debating between LSU and Texas A&M.

Last Wednesday, he paid a visit to LSU’s campus and had meetings with the new LSU defensive line and head coach Brian Kelly. Since September, this has been his third trip to Baton Rouge. But after going to LSU, he also had an official visit to College Station, and he’s been to Georgia recently.

Texas native Bussey attended Timpson High School. Throughout the 2022 season, he ran for 2,596 yards and 46 touchdowns, passed for 2,177 yards and 26 touchdowns, and contributed 115 tackles and five interceptions on the defensive end of the game.

During his high school career, he totaled 11,342 yards from scrimmage and 169 offensive touchdowns. Along with his defensive and special teams stats, he also recorded 270 tackles, 24 interceptions, two forced fumbles, and nine touchdowns overall.

He was a four-sport athlete who competed in football, baseball, basketball, and track and field.

In college, Bussey will probably play defensive back on the defensive end of the field, but a player with his level of versatility might also get time as a return man or on offense.

Should he decide to enroll at LSU, he would probably propel the Tigers’ 2024 recruiting class into the top three SEC schools and the top five nationwide. He would be joining defensive lineman Dominick McKinley and tight end Trey’Dez Green, two more five-star prospects.

Currently, LSU’s 2024 class is ranked No. 4 in the SEC, behind Georgia, Texas, and Alabama. In 2023, LSU’s prior recruiting class was rated third in the SEC and fifth overall in the country.

To persuade him to sign with the Tigers, LSU supporters and prospects have taken to X.com with the hashtag #BusseyBus2BR. Using the hashtag, LSU commits like Joel Rogers and Juan Johnson have tried to persuade Bussey to join them in Death Valley for the upcoming season.

In addition to liking multiple tweets, Bussey even responded to one from Caden Durham, an LSU recruit. When Texas-based four-star running back Durham inquired about “coming home,” Bussey said, “Let’s see.”

A competitive recruiting class in 2024 would help set the stage for a potentially even better class in 2025. With commitments from No. 1 overall wide receiver Dakorien Moore, No. 1 running back Harlem Berry, and No. 1 quarterback and athlete Bryce Underwood, LSU currently has the top-ranked 2025 class.