LSU lands a commitment from Franklin Parish athlete Dezyrian “Pook” Ellis!
BATON ROUGE, La. — In a move that electrifies LSU’s 2025 recruiting class and strengthens its homegrown talent pipeline, Dezyrian “Pook” Ellis, a dynamic athlete from Franklin Parish High School, has officially committed to the LSU Tigers.
The announcement came late Friday evening during a packed ceremony at Franklin Parish’s gymnasium, where Ellis, flanked by family, coaches, and friends, unzipped his jacket to reveal a purple and gold LSU shirt, sending the crowd into a frenzy. With his trademark smile and humble demeanor, Ellis declared,
“I’m staying home. I’m repping the boot. Let’s geaux!”
Listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Ellis is widely regarded as one of the most versatile athletes in Louisiana’s 2025 class. Rated as a four-star prospect by multiple recruiting services, Ellis has drawn interest from major SEC and Big 12 programs — including offers from Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Florida State, and Arkansas — but ultimately chose the Tigers after multiple visits to Baton Rouge this spring.
Ellis has played both wide receiver and defensive back, showcasing elite speed, fluid hips, and a high football IQ. As a junior, he racked up over 1,200 all-purpose yards, 10 total touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, all while returning punts and anchoring the special teams unit.
LSU projects him as a defensive back at the college level — most likely at cornerback or nickel — but his offensive explosiveness adds intrigue to how Brian Kelly’s staff may utilize him. Some analysts believe Ellis has Tyrann Mathieu-level instincts, with the versatility to play multiple roles in a modern SEC defense.
Franklin Parish isn’t typically known as a recruiting hotspot, but Ellis has helped put the small northeast Louisiana school on the map. He’s already considered the most heavily recruited player in school history and becomes the first Franklin Parish player to commit to LSU since 1986.
Head coach Byron Jackson had high praise for his star:
“Pook is a game-changer. He can lock you down on defense, house a kickoff, or burn a defense deep. But more than that, he’s a leader. He’s humble, he listens, and he works.”
The commitment also serves as a major cultural win for LSU’s in-state recruiting efforts, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on keeping elite Louisiana talent home. In recent years, the Tigers have watched several blue-chip athletes leave the state. Ellis’ decision is a signal to future recruits that LSU is once again becoming the top choice for “The Boot’s” best.
With Ellis on board, LSU’s 2025 recruiting class jumps into Top 10 territory nationally, according to several recruiting services. He becomes the 11th commitment overall, and the third defensive back, joining:
- Jaylen Fontenot, four-star safety from New Iberia
- Malik Hawkins, cornerback from Duncanville, Texas
This class is being built with an emphasis on speed, versatility, and physicality — all qualities Ellis embodies. He also becomes LSU’s sixth in-state commitment, a statistic that fans and boosters alike will be thrilled with after years of mixed results keeping local stars in Baton Rouge.
In a brief interview following his commitment, Ellis pointed to LSU’s family culture, defensive tradition, and his relationship with cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples as decisive factors in his decision.
“Coach Steeples kept it real with me from Day 1. He believes in me, not just as a player but as a man. And Coach Kelly’s vision — it’s different. He wants to win with dogs from Louisiana.”
Ellis also cited his admiration for former LSU greats like Derek Stingley Jr., Patrick Peterson, and Tyrann Mathieu, all of whom inspired his decision.
The LSU fanbase erupted on social media moments after the commitment, with hashtags like #PookToTheBoot and #StayHomePook trending regionally. National recruiting analysts have also weighed in:
- Steve Wiltfong (247Sports):
“LSU getting a big-time athlete with SEC-ready tools. Ellis has natural playmaking instincts you can’t teach.” - On3’s Shea Dixon:
“This is a foundational pickup. Pook Ellis brings attitude, energy, and versatility to LSU’s secondary. A Baton Rouge-style DB, through and through.”
Ellis plans to enroll early in January 2025 and will likely compete for immediate playing time, especially with the Tigers expected to lose multiple veterans in the secondary to the NFL Draft.
Between now and then, he’ll look to lead Franklin Parish on a deep playoff run this fall and further boost his already impressive highlight reel. He also plans to continue track and field — where he’s run a 10.7 in the 100m dash and posted elite shuttle times.
After some inconsistent years in the secondary, LSU is clearly reloading in the defensive backfield. With Ellis joining a rising core of DBs and the staff focusing heavily on defensive recruiting in the 2025 cycle, Tiger fans are optimistic that “DBU” is ready for a resurgence.
Brian Kelly has emphasized the need to get faster and more physical on defense, and Ellis appears to check every box — both athletically and mentally.
With the addition of Dezyrian “Pook” Ellis, LSU is not only gaining an elite talent but reinforcing its identity — fast, tough, and built from within Louisiana. He brings juice to the Tigers’ defense, leadership to the locker room, and swagger to the recruiting trail.
Expect Ellis to be a fan favorite in Baton Rouge for years to come — a local legend with state pride and national potential.
Welcome to Death Valley, Pook.
