On the surface, LSU Tigers gymnastics appears to be overflowing with elite recruits. After all, the university secured nine verbal commitments for the class of 2028 alone. But the strategy behind the surge of recruits is the product of a carefully crafted strategy, to safeguard the program’s long-term dominance and to ensure last year’s national championship win wasn’t just a one-off. Nonetheless, are fans right to be concerned about reduced competition time for some gymnasts with such a glut of recruits?

With nine commitments already, LSU isn’t done yet, with reports suggesting they’re also looking to add 2024 U.S. Junior National Champion Claire Pease to the roster. But though the roster appears bloated, the recruitment strategy actually works because it’s all about timing: the Tigers are aware that not all their 2028 commitments will actually enroll in the fall of 2028.

As LSU alum and podcaster Ben S reported on X, “Of the nine commitments LSU has in their 2028 class, I expect roughly half of them to defer their enrollment until 2029 to compete for a spot on the LA28 team for either Team USA or Team Canada. When you split this class in half, four or five enroll in 2028 and then the other four or five enroll in 2029. That’s quite normal.”  

On top of that, LSU’s current stars—Hezly Rivera, Lexi Zeiss, Kaliya Lincoln, and Zoe Miller—are expected to take a year off to train for the Los Angeles Olympics. With all these variables accounted for, LSU is likely to be well within the 20-gymnast NCAA roster limit, leaving space for transfer students as well, as Ben S noted.

LSU’s recruiting strategy also means that every gymnast will have to earn her spot on the lineup instead of being handed it. In turn, a meritocratic team creates a winning culture and the desire to improve amongst the athletes who don’t make the cut for 6-per-event NCAA meets. “The deluge of recruiting wins is the result of a great culture,” wrote Ben. Even so, some fans aren’t convinced that the high volume of recruitment is the right approach to take.

Why were fans upset with LSU for their nine commitments and counting?

The nine-strong 2028 class is stacked with talent. Five-star commits like Josie Lynch, Reese Esponda, and Jada Oliver, along with four-star additions Sage Bradford, Zoe Cadrin, Lia Redick, Myla Ruck, and Tatum Drusch, have been rocking the internet. But after Drusch announced her commitment to LSU, the gymnastics community began criticizing this move.

Gym fans online balked at the idea of nine athletes joining one class when only six compete per event. It would definitely leave a large chunk of the roster on the bench and potentially create unwanted selection dilemmas, with coach Jay Clark also having to account for the sophomores, juniors, and seniors already on the team.

Fans were also concerned that they wouldn’t be able to see their favorite gymnasts perform, while others theorized that the high volume of recruits could lead to de-commits. Some questioned the rationale of committing to LSU, when the chance to compete is higher at a university with fewer commitments.

But with the Olympics a big factor for many gymnasts, the chances of these fears being realized are less likely with deferrals and leaves of absence expected. Besides, with these verbal commitments, the Tigers are investing in a two-year pipeline where turnover has minimal impact and consistent championship contention becomes institutional.

But what are your thoughts on LSU’s strategy? Do you think it’s the right one?