BATON ROUGE — The LSU soccer team’s 2006 signing class continues to be recognized among the nation’s elite as it was named the No. 1 class in the Southeastern Conference by Soccer Buzz Magazine on May 25.
This marks the first time in its 11-year history that LSU has inked the top class in the SEC and the second consecutive year it has finished atop the SEC Western Division as head coach Brian Lee signed the school’s first ever top 30 recruiting class in his first season with the program in 2005.
“We certainly believe that we have one of, if not the most attractive situation for potential student-athletes to join in the SEC and the rest of the country,” Lee said. “This is a great school to recruit to with all that LSU provides its student-athletes on and off the playing field.
“LSU has top-notch facilities, excellent coaches and support staff, an outstanding academic support system, a passionate fan base and one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, which is an extremely attractive option for recruits.”
Each of LSU’s incoming freshmen is ranked among the top 200 recruits in the nation by Soccer Buzz, including seven ranked in the top 100. The Tigers will also welcome a U-20 Canadian National Team member and a Division I-A transfer when fall camp opens in August.
“Coach Lee has done something never achieved at LSU ? sign a national Top 50 recruiting class (26th in 2005) and sign the best class in the SEC (1st in 2006),” according to a press release on the publication’s official Web site, www.soccerbuzz.com. “This 2006 class won’t stop there as the Tigers end up with a class among the nation’s Top 10.”
This year’s signing class is ranked No. 7 in the country in Soccer Buzz’s preliminary national rankings. Final regional and national recruiting rankings will be released in the coming weeks.
2006 SEC Recruiting Rankings
1. LSU
2. Georgia
3. Auburn
4. Florida
5. South Carolina
6. Tennessee
7. Arkansas
8. Ole Miss
9. Alabama
10. Mississippi State
11. Kentucky
12. Vanderbilt
SEC’s Top Recruiting Classes (since 1998)
2006 ? LSU
2005 ? Tennessee
2004 ? Vanderbilt
2003 ? Florida
2002 ? Auburn
2001 ? Tennessee
2000 ? Vanderbilt
1999 ? Florida
1998 ? Florida