‘There’s no reason to leave home’: Alexandria running back JT Lindsey remains in state, picks LSU
by William Weathers // GeauxPreps.com Contributor
Alexandria Senior High running back JT Lindsey compiled the kind of eye-popping numbers in 2023 that usually has Division I schools lining up to hand out scholarship offers.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Lindsey, also a 4.48 sprinter, showed proved he could be the complete package, but in order to achieve his goal of gaining a scholarship to LSU, he would have wait patiently.
LSU had taken notice of Lindsey’s exploits, and finally extended a scholarship offer on Tuesday which he turned into a commitment on Saturday before the Tigers conducted their annual spring game in Tiger Stadium.
“I was excited and nervous at the same time,” Lindsey said of his conversation with LSU head coach Brian Kelly. “He was excited himself. He couldn’t wait.”
LSU’s 12-member Class of 2025, which is ranked No. 2 nationally by On3Sports and No. 3 by 247Sports, has the nation’s No. 1 quarterback in Bryce Underwood of Belleville, Mich., No. 1 running back Harlem Berry of St. Martin’s High in Metairie and No. 1 wide receiver Dakorien Moore of Duncanville, Texas.
Lindsey is On3’s No. 143 rated overall player, No. 11 running back and the state’s fifth-best prospect in ’25. He’s also the eighth in-state prospect to choose the Tigers.
“My plan before committing was taking visits to Houston, Cal and Pitt,” Lindsey said. “I’ve never been out of the south. I wanted to take visits outside of Louisiana. After I made my commitment, I realized there’s no reason to leave home.”
Lindsey was at LSU for spring practice on Tuesday, including sitting on the running backs positional meeting. Once word of his commitment circulated before Saturday’s game, he posed for pictures with the team’s other running backs.
Lead recruiter and running backs coach Frank Wilson brought Lindsey to his office to discuss the virtues of committing early to LSU and shared how much the staff liked his ability and offered a scholarship.
“The more he talked the more I realized where the conversation was going,” Lindsey said. “After he offered, I was like a kid in a candy store. I had the biggest smile in the world.”
Lindsey returned to Baton Rouge for an overnight stay Friday before visiting Saturday morning with Kelly when he arrived at the hotel housing several of the recruits who would attend Saturday’s spring game.
“Me and my mom actually talked about committing on Thursday,” Lindsey said. “There’s no other place to play. It’s LSU. What else can you say.”
Lindsey made quite a splash in his first season as a starter for Alexandria which finished 8-5 overall. The Trojans went 3-2 in District 2-5A, losing to eventual state champion Ruston and West Monroe by a total of 12 points.
ASH advanced to the Division I state select regionals, falling 40-34 to Karr.
Lindsey rushed 272 times for 1,587 yards (5.8 yards per carry) with 23 touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 142 yards and three scores.
He was selected to the All-District 2-5A first team and was an honorable mention Class 5A All-State pick.
“I didn’t attend any LSU games last year,” Lindsey said. “They weren’t recruiting me. I guess around January, they started recruiting me.”
Lindsey, who can also return kicks, compiled an early offer list of Cal, Houston, Mississippi State, Northwestern (Ill.), Pitt and Vanderbilt. He was regarded as a complete back with terrific vision, ability to break tackles and speed to outrun defenders.
“I fit in good,” Lindsey said of LSU’s spread system. “We do some type of spread. Run routes and get the running back into the passing game. I think I fit very well.
“I will have to stay after practice and get extra work in,” Lindsey said of his prospects of playing early at LSU. “I have to perfect my craft, watch film more than the others and see what I can do better than them.”
Lindsey’s also been a valuable member of ASH’s undefeated track team this spring. He’s run personal bests of 10.8 in the 100 and 22.08 in the 200 and is also a member of the Trojans’ 400, 800 and 1600-meter relay teams.
“I’m shutting it down and visit LSU as many times as I can,” Lindsey said. “I know that I’m a good player and I was just waiting to get the offer. I knew my time was coming. Just being patient was the key thing and trusting in the process.”