On Saturday, the No. 1 returning long jumper in Louisiana, Ruston's Aidan Anding announced his commitment to play football for LSU.
Anding, who is currently ranked as Louisiana's No. 13 football prospect in the Class 2025, has told several recruiting outlets that the opportunity to stay in Louisiana and play close to home was a key factor in his decision.
LSU DB coach Corey Raymond has been the primary recruiter for the three-star cornerback, who led the competition in the LHSAA Class 5A State Outdoor Championships long jump with a personal record of 23-9 before finishing as the runner-up to Scotlandville's Broderick Davis (24-8.75).
For Ruston head football coach Jerrod Baugh, it has been the way Anding has conducted himself off the field--not on which as set him apart from most teachers.
"The thing that impresses me the most is the kind of kid he is. The kind of person he is," Baugh said. "He hasn't let all of the recruiting hoopla change who he is. He is very outgoing about his faith in God. It's a special thing to see a young person be strong enough to put that out there. There are a lot of adults who struggle with that. I think that has a lot to do with his success."
Anding, who is also ranked No. 11 among Louisiana's top returning 200m sprinters with a season best of 21.73, is LSU football's 25th commitment and third cornerback in the 2025 recruiting class, which is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation behind Ohio State and Alabama.
While LSU's other cornerback commitments in the 2025 signing class--Tampa, Flordia's DJ Pickett and Texas product Kade Phillips--may have more stars, the upside for Anding may be greater as he is relatively new to football.
"I knew who he was when he was at the junior high, but at the time our basketball program was struggling and I think he saw an opportunity to come in and start as a freshman and he wanted to dive headfirst into basketball," Baugh said.
After playing basketball his sophomore year at Ruston High School, Anding went in to talk to Baugh about coming out for football.
"He had a lot of really good friends on the team and I think that helped him make his decision to come out for football," Baugh said. "I knew he was a good athlete, but you never know when you take time off like he did and haven't played since junior high. He came out and it was like he had never left the game."
"The funny thing about it, he went to a camp at Louisiana Tech that summer and they offered him a scholarship even though he had not played a down of high school football. It made me feel good that they saw the same thing at that camp that I saw during Spring Football. That really got his recruiting going."
As far as leadership goes, Baugh has watched Anding transition from a "lead-by-example" guy during the Bearcats 2023 LHSAA D1 Non-select state championship run to a more vocal role heading into this year.
"We had some good senior leaders last year," Baugh said. "I think he gave them room to do what they needed to do. This year, he is more vocal. And we need him to be."
After a jamboree this Saturday against long-time rival Neville, Ruston will open their season at Ruston High School's L.J. "Hoss" Garrett Stadium on Friday, September 6th against Acadiana.
If there is anyone who can help Anding make the transition from high school to the college ranks, it's Ruston defensive coordinator Kyle Williams, who was a highly recruited player for the Bearcats in 2001 before going to LSU and becoming an All-American defensive lineman for the Tigers.
Once in Baton Rouge, the 5-11, 170-pound Anding hopes that Raymond is able to develop him into a player who--like Williams--can have a lengthy career in the NFL. Williams enjoyed a 13-year career as an All-Pro for the Buffalo Bills.
When it comes to Anding's knowledge of the game, Baugh gives credit to Anding's position coach--Kenny Wright, who played three years of his eight years in the NFL for the Houston Texans. Wright spent individual time with Anding heading into his junior year. Wright taught Anding the nuances of the cornerback position and helped him with film study.
"It's a special thing," Baugh said. "I don't know of any other program in Louisiana where a kid has the benefit of a position coach and a coordinator who have NFL experience and two guys like Kyle and Kenny who are able to help them navigate through the recruiting process and transition to a college program."