Keisean Lucier-South recruit scouting report: Star defensive end

Keisean Lucier-South is one of the tallest defensive ends in the Class of 2015, and he’ll bring quickness off the edge to his college of choice.

Lucier-South, out of Lutheran-Orange County (Calif.) High School, stands 6’5 and weighs in at 215 pounds and he runs a reported 4.7-second 40-yard dash. As of February 2014, he’s listed as a five-star prospect by Scout, and a four-star by 247 Sports, Rivals and ESPN. In the 247 Sports composite ratings, he is ranked 43rd among all high school prospects in America, fifth among strong-side defensive ends and sixth among players from the state of California.

Lucier-South holds 19 scholarship offers from schools around the country. He’s drawing interest from top programs such as Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, UCLA, USC, Louisville, Miami, Missouri and Oregon.

Fans can follow Lucier-South on Twitter at @KLSouth16.

Derrell Warren, West Coast Recruiting Analyst:Lucier-South is a long athletic, defensive end with a huge wingspan. He carries a lankier frame with a fairly wide shoulder base, but is a bit narrow through the waist. He should be able to eventually top out in the neighborhood of 260-265 pounds while retaining his agility.

Against the run, Lucier-South will need to add more functional strength in order to hold the weak side edge at the next level, specifically core and lower body strength. He’ll need to improve at anchoring at the point of attack and bringing his hips through contact.

Lucier-South has a very high motor and flashes really good speed in space, excelling in backside pursuit. He can redirect his momentum very well when quarterbacks have either stepped up into the pocket or are trying to escape it.

He’s a physical player who doesn’t shy away from contact. Is very instinctive in the way he’s able to “stack” a blocker and in the very next motion disengage, get “skinny” and slide through gaps to create penetration.

Lucier-South probably carries the most overall upside as a pass-rusher. Off the edge, Lucier-South is a nice blend of length, agility, and closing speed. He carries a good first step and comes off the ball with full extension of his arms, using his length to keep offensive linemen away from his frame. Like a boxer uses his jab, he utilizes his arm length to control the distance between himself and offensive lineman.

Lucier-South also has very powerful hands. There are several instances in which he uses them to knock offensive linemen off-balance and even to the turf. At 6’6, he isn’t an ideal edge bender but has the burst to gain the edge along with the foot quickness and body control to execute sudden changes of direction.