Tigers given fifth-best ground game 
July, 30, 2012
7/30/12
1:09
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
LSU's running game comes in at No. 5 in today's ESPN Insider piece.
LSU averaged more than 200 yards per game last year, and the Tigers return every member of the running back corps that battered opponents into submission. The team also returns four experienced starters and blue-chip talent to add to its offensive front. But all of that couldn't push the Tigers into the top of the list, which leads off with USC, Alabama, Oregon and Texas.
LSU averaged more than 200 yards per game last year, and the Tigers return every member of the running back corps that battered opponents into submission. The team also returns four experienced starters and blue-chip talent to add to its offensive front. But all of that couldn't push the Tigers into the top of the list, which leads off with USC, Alabama, Oregon and Texas.
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Jeb Blazevich eats way into the spotlight
July, 30, 2012
7/30/12
1:03
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
You see college football stories every year about the crazy meal plans and workouts that players undergo to lose weight. I don't think I've ever seen this one, though.
Check out the story of 2014 tight end Jeb Blazevich (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian), who bulked himself into the tight end weight class this spring and summer by simply eating. Eating a lot, apparently.
Blezevich was a middle-of-the-road wide receiver without many offers when spring football got under way. Today, after pigging out on chicken tenders and sandwiches, the rising junior is 6-foot-5, 240 pounds and holds offers from more than a dozen schools -- including powerhouses like LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Ohio State, Michigan and Virginia Tech.
So apparently that second (or third) helping isn't as bad as people make it out to be.
Check out the story of 2014 tight end Jeb Blazevich (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian), who bulked himself into the tight end weight class this spring and summer by simply eating. Eating a lot, apparently.
Blezevich was a middle-of-the-road wide receiver without many offers when spring football got under way. Today, after pigging out on chicken tenders and sandwiches, the rising junior is 6-foot-5, 240 pounds and holds offers from more than a dozen schools -- including powerhouses like LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Ohio State, Michigan and Virginia Tech.
So apparently that second (or third) helping isn't as bad as people make it out to be.
It looked for a while like LSU had added a new running back for 2013 in Adam Taylor (Katy, Texas/Katy). Reports of Taylor's commitment to LSU turned out to be premature, but the Tigers' interest in the 200-pounder hasn't dwindled.
Taylor was at LSU's July camp working out for the coaches. The soon-to-be senior at Katy suffered a season-ending knee injury early in his 2011 campaign and, like many other LSU targets, the main question is how well Taylor is recovering.
Of course, one look at LSU's roster raises an important question: how badly do the Tigers even need running backs at this juncture?
Taylor was at LSU's July camp working out for the coaches. The soon-to-be senior at Katy suffered a season-ending knee injury early in his 2011 campaign and, like many other LSU targets, the main question is how well Taylor is recovering.
Of course, one look at LSU's roster raises an important question: how badly do the Tigers even need running backs at this juncture?
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GeauxTigerNation writers David Helman and Gary Laney break down the competitions, issues and talking points of LSU's August camp. Players report to campus Aug. 1 and we'll have a preview segment every weekday in July leading up to the day the players report:
Even with all the glowing reports about LSU, a favorite to contend for the BCS national championship again, nobody is going to declare the Tigers national champion at the start of August.
While the Tigers indeed appear loaded and ready to make another title run, they aren't without their own set of question marks. Here are the top five that have to be answered.
Even with all the glowing reports about LSU, a favorite to contend for the BCS national championship again, nobody is going to declare the Tigers national champion at the start of August.
While the Tigers indeed appear loaded and ready to make another title run, they aren't without their own set of question marks. Here are the top five that have to be answered.
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After a couple of quiet weeks in Baton Rouge, it's only logical LSU added a new commitment.
The Tigers continued their torrid pace this summer with a verbal commitment from 2014 athlete Devin Voorhies (Woodville, Miss./Wilkinson County) on Saturday night. Voorhies' pledge gives LSU three commits for its 2014 class after picking up a pair during July's recruiting camp.
Voorhies received an offer from the Tigers during LSU's June camp, but it was an unofficial visit to campus on Saturday that brought him to a decision.
The Tigers continued their torrid pace this summer with a verbal commitment from 2014 athlete Devin Voorhies (Woodville, Miss./Wilkinson County) on Saturday night. Voorhies' pledge gives LSU three commits for its 2014 class after picking up a pair during July's recruiting camp.
Voorhies received an offer from the Tigers during LSU's June camp, but it was an unofficial visit to campus on Saturday that brought him to a decision.
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Lewis (& mom) enjoy Ohio State visit
July, 28, 2012
7/28/12
10:12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Hybrid defensive end/linebacker Tyquan Lewis (Tarboro, N.C./Tarboro) came to Ohio State a month ago, hoping to pass the eye test with the Buckeyes.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Lewis did that and more, earning a committable offer at the camp on June 10.
At the Friday Night Lights camp at Ohio State, fans will be happy to know The Horseshoe passed the eye test with his mother, Tyronda Whitaker.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Lewis did that and more, earning a committable offer at the camp on June 10.
At the Friday Night Lights camp at Ohio State, fans will be happy to know The Horseshoe passed the eye test with his mother, Tyronda Whitaker.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga) isn't rushing his recruitment.
The four-star safety is making sure that it doesn't become overwhelming. Instead, he's learning to like it.
"It is fun, I am enjoying it," he said Saturday at Champion Gridiron Kings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. "I am taking it in a little by little. Right now, at this point, I am checking more schools out, checking more areas out seeing what I like and what is different. I want to put some schools in certain brackets."
The four-star safety is making sure that it doesn't become overwhelming. Instead, he's learning to like it.
"It is fun, I am enjoying it," he said Saturday at Champion Gridiron Kings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. "I am taking it in a little by little. Right now, at this point, I am checking more schools out, checking more areas out seeing what I like and what is different. I want to put some schools in certain brackets."
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- ESPN 150 safety Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos de Niza) has a top fifteen of Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
On Friday while at Champion Gridiron Kings at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, Willis spoke about a couple programs still in the mix for his commitment.
“Oregon is a great program,” Willis said, “and LSU is a great school that has put a lot of defensive backs in the league. The coaching staff is all very cool.”
Willis said he plans to take an official to Notre Dame on Sept. 21 for the game against Michigan, to Nebraska on Oct. 26 for the game against Michigan and to LSU on Nov. 2 for the Alabama game. He has no timeline for his decision right now.
On Friday while at Champion Gridiron Kings at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, Willis spoke about a couple programs still in the mix for his commitment.
“Oregon is a great program,” Willis said, “and LSU is a great school that has put a lot of defensive backs in the league. The coaching staff is all very cool.”
Willis said he plans to take an official to Notre Dame on Sept. 21 for the game against Michigan, to Nebraska on Oct. 26 for the game against Michigan and to LSU on Nov. 2 for the Alabama game. He has no timeline for his decision right now.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Coming into The Opening, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee) said he was ready to make a decision. But after the four day event in Beaverton, Ore., the ESPN 150 wide receiver was no closer to committing than he was before.
On the eve of Champion Gridiron Kings, Treadwell said he is going to take a couple visits before selecting a program.
"I am going to take some officials to LSU, Auburn, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State," Treadwell said. "I should be ready to make my decision after I see a couple of schools."
On the eve of Champion Gridiron Kings, Treadwell said he is going to take a couple visits before selecting a program.
"I am going to take some officials to LSU, Auburn, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State," Treadwell said. "I should be ready to make my decision after I see a couple of schools."
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2014 WR draws comparison to Julio Jones
July, 27, 2012
7/27/12
6:09
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
HOOVER, Ala. -- At first glance, it looked like Julio Jones circa 2008 was competing at the National Select 7-on-7 tournament in Hoover on Friday. The guy in the No. 8 jersey for Foley High School was split wide and making catches all over the field. He even had the dreadlocks to go with it.
However, it wasn’t Julio Jones. It was 2014 wide receiver Demarcus Bingham, and it’s the not first time he has heard the comparison.
“When I hear people compare me to Julio, it’s an honor to be compared to him because he’s in the NFL now, of course, and he came out of Foley High School. But I want to be better than him,” Bingham said.
However, it wasn’t Julio Jones. It was 2014 wide receiver Demarcus Bingham, and it’s the not first time he has heard the comparison.
“When I hear people compare me to Julio, it’s an honor to be compared to him because he’s in the NFL now, of course, and he came out of Foley High School. But I want to be better than him,” Bingham said.
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Phillip Deas knows a thing or two about big-time prospect recruiting.
As a quarterback at Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.) in the mid-1990s, Deas was part of a long line of Evangel quarterbacks who landed at big-time programs over a 12-year span from 1990-2002. He followed Josh Booty (LSU) and was followed by Brent Rawls (Oklahoma), Brock Berlin (Florida) and John David Booty (USC). Deas played at North Carolina before finishing his college career at Louisiana Tech.
Now the head coach at his high school alma mater, Deas is a bit alarmed to see young players, especially quarterbacks, committing to colleges when they are still in junior high. California quarterback Tate Martell committed to Oregon Wednesday, days after Deas' home state flagship school, LSU, offered rising eighth-grade linebacker Dylan Moses.
As a quarterback at Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.) in the mid-1990s, Deas was part of a long line of Evangel quarterbacks who landed at big-time programs over a 12-year span from 1990-2002. He followed Josh Booty (LSU) and was followed by Brent Rawls (Oklahoma), Brock Berlin (Florida) and John David Booty (USC). Deas played at North Carolina before finishing his college career at Louisiana Tech.
Now the head coach at his high school alma mater, Deas is a bit alarmed to see young players, especially quarterbacks, committing to colleges when they are still in junior high. California quarterback Tate Martell committed to Oregon Wednesday, days after Deas' home state flagship school, LSU, offered rising eighth-grade linebacker Dylan Moses.
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Watch: Robert Nkemdiche interview
July, 27, 2012
7/27/12
3:03
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
The nation’s no. 1 recruit, Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) talks with TideNation reporter Greg Ostendorf about why he chose Clemson, which schools are still recruiting him, and what the future holds for him.
Robert Nkemdiche's recruitment continues
July, 27, 2012
7/27/12
1:31
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
Regardless of his commitment to Clemson, defensive end Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) says the recruiting process hasn't calmed down -- if anything, it's intensified.
In this story, the No. 1 prospect in the country said that schools have not stopped contacting him since his commitment to Clemson June 14. In many cases schools are trying even harder to woo the 6-foot-5 end.
Nkemdiche listed several schools that have continued to pursue him in the past month and a half, with LSU among them. Regardless of his current status with Clemson, that's bound to be of some interest to LSU fans.
In this story, the No. 1 prospect in the country said that schools have not stopped contacting him since his commitment to Clemson June 14. In many cases schools are trying even harder to woo the 6-foot-5 end.
Nkemdiche listed several schools that have continued to pursue him in the past month and a half, with LSU among them. Regardless of his current status with Clemson, that's bound to be of some interest to LSU fans.
GeauxTigerNation writers David Helman and Gary Laney break down the competitions, issues and talking points of LSU's August camp. Players report to campus Aug. 1 and we'll have a preview segment every weekday in July leading up to the day the players report:
The basics of LSU's secondary are pretty obvious.
Monstrous cornerback Tharold Simon is going to start on one side of the Tigers' defense. Preseason All-SEC safety Eric Reid is going to anchor the last line of defense. If he can keep himself healthy, veteran Craig Loston should hold down the strong safety spot. And fellow All-SEC selection Tyrann Mathieu seems to have an early bead on the other starting corner spot.
The basics of LSU's secondary are pretty obvious.
Monstrous cornerback Tharold Simon is going to start on one side of the Tigers' defense. Preseason All-SEC safety Eric Reid is going to anchor the last line of defense. If he can keep himself healthy, veteran Craig Loston should hold down the strong safety spot. And fellow All-SEC selection Tyrann Mathieu seems to have an early bead on the other starting corner spot.
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Editor's note: ESPN.com’s Summer Shootaround series catches up on the offseason storylines for each conference. For more on SEC, click here.
Alabama: Trevor Releford
The Crimson Tide lost a host of important pieces and will be relying mainly on freshmen and sophomores. Coach Anthony Grant will need Releford to lead the way on the score sheet and in the locker room.
Arkansas: B.J. Young
The highly touted guard had a solid freshman season and could be poised for a major breakout as a sophomore. Guard play, particularly point guard play, is probably the most important part of Mike Anderson's up-tempo attack. Young will have the ball in his hands often and should be a lot of fun to watch.
Auburn: Jordan Price
The top recruit in Tony Barbee's 2012 class, joining a roster decimated by dismissals and offseason transfers, Price should be the best Tigers player from the get-go.
Florida: Kenny Boynton
Once seen as a conscienceless gunner, Boynton quietly submitted a fantastic offensive season for the Gators. With Brad Beal and Erving Walker gone, Boynton should get even more touches. If he maintains his efficiency, look out.
Georgia: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Caldwell-Pope was the gem of Georgia coach Mark Fox's 2011 recruiting class and showed plenty of promise as a freshman, averaging 13.2 points and 5.2 rebounds a game.
Kentucky: Ryan Harrow
Harrow won't be the most talented Wildcat -- he is somewhere around fifth or sixth on the list -- but no position is more important to Calipari teams than point guard. Harrow will be responsible for facilitating a star-studded and athletic lineup. How he handles that role could be the key to Kentucky's season.
LSU: Johnny O'Bryant
LSU made positive strides in Trent Johnson's final season, chief among them the progress made by 6-foot-9 forward Johnny O'Bryant. After notching major minutes as a freshman, O'Bryant could evolve into a star as a sophomore.
Alabama: Trevor Releford
The Crimson Tide lost a host of important pieces and will be relying mainly on freshmen and sophomores. Coach Anthony Grant will need Releford to lead the way on the score sheet and in the locker room.
Arkansas: B.J. Young
The highly touted guard had a solid freshman season and could be poised for a major breakout as a sophomore. Guard play, particularly point guard play, is probably the most important part of Mike Anderson's up-tempo attack. Young will have the ball in his hands often and should be a lot of fun to watch.
Auburn: Jordan Price
The top recruit in Tony Barbee's 2012 class, joining a roster decimated by dismissals and offseason transfers, Price should be the best Tigers player from the get-go.
Florida: Kenny Boynton
Once seen as a conscienceless gunner, Boynton quietly submitted a fantastic offensive season for the Gators. With Brad Beal and Erving Walker gone, Boynton should get even more touches. If he maintains his efficiency, look out.
Georgia: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Caldwell-Pope was the gem of Georgia coach Mark Fox's 2011 recruiting class and showed plenty of promise as a freshman, averaging 13.2 points and 5.2 rebounds a game.
Kentucky: Ryan Harrow
Harrow won't be the most talented Wildcat -- he is somewhere around fifth or sixth on the list -- but no position is more important to Calipari teams than point guard. Harrow will be responsible for facilitating a star-studded and athletic lineup. How he handles that role could be the key to Kentucky's season.
LSU: Johnny O'Bryant
LSU made positive strides in Trent Johnson's final season, chief among them the progress made by 6-foot-9 forward Johnny O'Bryant. After notching major minutes as a freshman, O'Bryant could evolve into a star as a sophomore.
ABOUT GEAUX TIGER NATION
Gary Laney
Gary Laney joined ESPN.com in 2012 after spending a year and a half as online sports editor of the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate. Before that, he covered LSU sports for the Advocate. He has also been the sports editor at the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and covered McNeese State athletics for the Lake Charles (La.) American Press. Laney currently lives in Baton Rouge. Email him at glaneyespn@gmail.com