Speed kills. Perhaps, more appropriately, that statement should revised to speed wins.

The SEC is a league of speed, the most dominant league in the football nation. LSU coach Les Miles is keenly aware of this.

LSU had a recruiting bonanza Saturday, landing a trio of extremely talented players from Louisiana.

Miles has landed perhaps the fastest player in Louisiana, perhaps one of the fastest players in the country in defensive back Derrick Raymond of East Jefferson High School.

Raymond committed to LSU at the LSU Family Bayou Picnic Saturday.

Raymond, who transferred to LSU from Port Allen High School, is the reigning 4A 100 and 200 meter state champion sprinter. He won the 100-meter dash in a time of 10.52 and the 200-meter dash in a time of 21.51, defeating Alabama commitment Bradley Sylve of South Plaquemines in the process.

East Jefferson head football coach Nick Saltaformaggio says Raymond has been hand clocked in under 4.3 seconds in the forty-yard dash.

A 6'0, 170-pound New Orleans native, Raymond has not played competitive football since his freshman year due to transfer rules. Raymond started at Lee High and transferred to Port Allen before moving to East Jefferson.

Attending LSU is a dream come true for Raymond, who always wanted to become a Tiger. Raymond was recruited by New Orleans native Frank Wilson.

Raymond had offers from Arizona, Baylor, California, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Raymond plans to take part in LSU's summer camp next week.

Hahnville's Jerqwinick Sandolph became the second defensive back to commit on the same day, pledging to Miles and LSU.

The 6'2, 175-pound Sandolph had offers from Louisiana-Lafayette, Memphis, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Western Kentucky. Sandolph will join former Hahnville star and cousin Alfred Blue at LSU. Sandolph runs in the 4.5 range.

The third player to commit to LSU Saturday was lineman Jerald Hawkins of West St. Mary in Baldwin. The 6'6, 285-pound Hawkins previously committed to Texas A&M but switched to the Tigers.

Hawkins had offers from Memphis, Nicholls State, Pittsburgh, Southern Mississippi, Texas A&M and Tulane. He was also recruited by Wilson.

Hawkins likely projects as a defensive end at LSU though he could play offensive tackle.

The commitments leave LSU with 12 for the class of 2012, 11 of whom hail from Louisiana as part of a talent-rich pool in the state for 2012.

LSU COMMITMENTS FOR 2012