2017 athlete JaCoby Stevens has a strong rapport with the LSU staff and that played a big role in his decision to commit to the Tigers back on September 23.

One would expect that all of the speculation surrounding Les Miles and his staff’s future would have some effect on Stevens, and it has as the Nashville, Tenn. native has de-committed.

“As of right now, I have reopened my recruitment,” Stevens said. “I envisioned myself playing under Les Miles, coach Corey Raymond and having Austin Thomas (Director of Player Personnel) there. With not knowing if they are going to be there it just made sense for me to reopen my recruitment.”

Stevens, who has family in Southwest Louisiana, committed to the Tigers as a safety and return man over offers from Tennessee, Stanford, Texas A&M, Alabama and many others.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder from Nashville, Tenn. said he knows that LSU is a good school, but that uncertainty surrounding the coaches is a lot to deal with.

“The school is a great school and I can’t say anything bad about that at all,” he said. “But, for my goals and what I want to achieve, the coaches and who are going to be there will play such a huge role in me attaining all of my business goals.

“I have a ton of respect for coach Miles, coach Raymond and Austin Thomas. Those guys have been very good to me and have helped me a lot.”

Stevens said he hasn’t really thought much about other suitors or anything like that at this stage of the game. However, expect to hear Stanford, Texas A&M, Alabama and Tennessee as some schools that he takes another look at.

As for LSU, Stevens said the Tigers will have his attention when everything gets sorted out.

“If coach Miles is still there then we will talk and get everything going again with recruiting,” said Stevens. “If they bring in a new coach and a new staff then I will start to get to know them and start that process all over again.”

And one person who can help with any transition if there is one is Thomas.

“Yea, that would be big if Austin is still there,” said Stevens. “He has helped me so much with everything and we have such a strong bond.”

Stevens is the nation’s No. 3 athlete in the 247Sports Composite.