BATON ROUGE, La. – The Jordan Jefferson/Jarrett Lee era is over at LSU, and though the pair oversaw four years of consecutive bowl appearances, 41 wins, an SEC championship and a BCS national championship game appearance, many Tiger fans are ready to turn the page, given the Tigers' sometimes anemic passing numbers in their four years.
Here are five things to know about a position that has been a lightning rod at LSU since the dismissal of Ryan Perrilloux following LSU's 2007 national championship season.
1. Big arm, big results?: Junior Zach Mettenberger is one of the most anticipated new starters, heck, maybe the most anticipated new starter, in college football.
Here are five things to know about a position that has been a lightning rod at LSU since the dismissal of Ryan Perrilloux following LSU's 2007 national championship season.
1. Big arm, big results?: Junior Zach Mettenberger is one of the most anticipated new starters, heck, maybe the most anticipated new starter, in college football.
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If there’s one thing that ESPN 300 wide receiver Rickey Jefferson (Destrehan, La.) wants to show, it’s that he is fully recovered from an ACL tear suffered more than nine months ago.
Jefferson has been answering questions about his health with impressive spring workouts and 7-on-7 play. The 6-foot, 190-pound, four-star receiver now has 21 offers and is racking up additional interest daily.
Ranked No. 171 in the ESPN 300, Jefferson, the younger brother of former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, is showing why he’s still a hot commodity even after a major injury. Nebraska was the latest school to offer, but he has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, LSU, USC and a host of other programs.
Jefferson has been answering questions about his health with impressive spring workouts and 7-on-7 play. The 6-foot, 190-pound, four-star receiver now has 21 offers and is racking up additional interest daily.
Ranked No. 171 in the ESPN 300, Jefferson, the younger brother of former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, is showing why he’s still a hot commodity even after a major injury. Nebraska was the latest school to offer, but he has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, LSU, USC and a host of other programs.
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ESPN 150 WR Johnson makes call for Miami 
June, 25, 2012
6/25/12
10:30
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit wide receiver Travis Johnson committed to Miami on Monday, choosing the Hurricanes after attending Al Golden's camp over the weekend. The 6-4, 230-pound junior becomes the eighth verbal in the Hurricanes' class and fourth in the ESPN 150.
Johnson credits a strong performance at the camp for his offer and eventual commitment.
"I went down to the camp and really made a name for myself in front of the Miami coaches," Johnson said. "I did well in the drills and really well with the one-on-ones. Coach [Brendan] Carroll said they were going to review my film and get in touch with me [Monday] or Tuesday. They called today with the offer and I immediately jumped on it."
Johnson credits a strong performance at the camp for his offer and eventual commitment.
"I went down to the camp and really made a name for myself in front of the Miami coaches," Johnson said. "I did well in the drills and really well with the one-on-ones. Coach [Brendan] Carroll said they were going to review my film and get in touch with me [Monday] or Tuesday. They called today with the offer and I immediately jumped on it."
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It's been a fun summer so far for Anthony Jennings.
The Marietta, Ga., quarterback has already been out of school for a month, and he's been an LSU commitment for about three weeks. The excitement of committing to a top-flight program is something that hasn't been lost on Jennings, who said he's enjoying the moment.
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Joe Blue's recruitment has slowed a bit, but that won't last long.
After picking up a flurry of scholarship offers in January, the 2014 linebacker prospect from Dillon (S.C.) High School hasn't picked up anymore lately. Yet one still stands out.
Blue said Florida, which is one of the schools to offer, is his second favorite school, just behind Georgia.
After picking up a flurry of scholarship offers in January, the 2014 linebacker prospect from Dillon (S.C.) High School hasn't picked up anymore lately. Yet one still stands out.
Blue said Florida, which is one of the schools to offer, is his second favorite school, just behind Georgia.
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Ed Paris (Arlington, Texas/Mansfield Timberview) has an idea of where he wants to play college football. Whether or not he’ll announce that decision publicly any time soon, that’s still a mystery.
Paris, a highly touted 2014 cornerback, said Sunday that while he has nearly 20 offers, there is one school in particular catches his attention enough to where an announcement could be near. Paris chose not to divulge further information, but he mentioned that the school has everything he’s looking for, athletically and scholastically.
“I’m trying to look for something that will enhance my skills, some place that has a good team environment and that will help me adjust to it,” Paris said. “I want a school that’s going to help me grow educationally. At the end of the day, it’s not about football; it’s about getting that degree.”
Paris, a highly touted 2014 cornerback, said Sunday that while he has nearly 20 offers, there is one school in particular catches his attention enough to where an announcement could be near. Paris chose not to divulge further information, but he mentioned that the school has everything he’s looking for, athletically and scholastically.
“I’m trying to look for something that will enhance my skills, some place that has a good team environment and that will help me adjust to it,” Paris said. “I want a school that’s going to help me grow educationally. At the end of the day, it’s not about football; it’s about getting that degree.”
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Greg Gilmore (Hope Mills, N.C./South View) would make a lot of LSU fans happy if he pulled the trigger on the Tigers when he camps in Baton Rouge in July.
The ESPN 150 defensive tackle said just a few days ago that he still considered LSU the leader for his services, slightly ahead of Alabama and Florida. It certainly seems obvious that Gilmore is the Tigers' primary target along the defensive front -- especially with the commitment of No. 1 defensive end Robert Nkemdiche to Clemson last week.
As big as Gilmore's commitment would be at face value, also consider what it would mean for LSU's recruiting crop this season. There's been plenty of talk about the Tigers' pickups along the offensive side of the ball, and the hype is understandable with two, four-star quarterbacks in the fold so far.
The ESPN 150 defensive tackle said just a few days ago that he still considered LSU the leader for his services, slightly ahead of Alabama and Florida. It certainly seems obvious that Gilmore is the Tigers' primary target along the defensive front -- especially with the commitment of No. 1 defensive end Robert Nkemdiche to Clemson last week.
As big as Gilmore's commitment would be at face value, also consider what it would mean for LSU's recruiting crop this season. There's been plenty of talk about the Tigers' pickups along the offensive side of the ball, and the hype is understandable with two, four-star quarterbacks in the fold so far.
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On LSU's star-studded roster, it's easy to find recognizable names.
You start with the "Honey Badger," Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu. You go to Sam Montgomery, Barkevious Mingo, Eric Reid, Odell Beckham, Jr., Spencer Ware ... you can go on and on with recognizable names.
But there are players who have yet to make their name who are on the verge of doing so this year. And this doesn't even count a "known unknown" like quarterback Zach Mettenberger, whose starting debut is so highly anticipated, he's hardly an unknown.
You start with the "Honey Badger," Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu. You go to Sam Montgomery, Barkevious Mingo, Eric Reid, Odell Beckham, Jr., Spencer Ware ... you can go on and on with recognizable names.
But there are players who have yet to make their name who are on the verge of doing so this year. And this doesn't even count a "known unknown" like quarterback Zach Mettenberger, whose starting debut is so highly anticipated, he's hardly an unknown.
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The NCAA released its full academic progress rates Wednesday, and yet again each SEC football program is free from penalties after their academic performances.
The Academic Progress Rate (APR) measures the eligibility, retention and graduation of Division 1 student-athletes. It also serves as a predictor of graduation success. The most recent APR scores are multi-year rates based on the scores from the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11 academic years.
Teams scoring below 930 out of 1,000 can face penalties, such as scholarship reductions and restrictions on practice and competition.
Vanderbilt led the SEC with a multiyear APR of 978, while Florida and Missouri tied for second (972). Tennessee, which tied Arkansas for last in last year's APR (937), finished last in the SEC with an APR of 931.
The average APR for the SEC is 956, which is up from last year (955.4).
The Academic Progress Rate (APR) measures the eligibility, retention and graduation of Division 1 student-athletes. It also serves as a predictor of graduation success. The most recent APR scores are multi-year rates based on the scores from the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11 academic years.
Teams scoring below 930 out of 1,000 can face penalties, such as scholarship reductions and restrictions on practice and competition.
Vanderbilt led the SEC with a multiyear APR of 978, while Florida and Missouri tied for second (972). Tennessee, which tied Arkansas for last in last year's APR (937), finished last in the SEC with an APR of 931.
The average APR for the SEC is 956, which is up from last year (955.4).
LSU hires Patrick as men's hoops assistant
June, 20, 2012
6/20/12
12:55
PM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
David Patrick, a graduate of the Dunham School in Baton Rouge, La., and a native of Bermuda with extensive international basketball ties, was hired as an assistant men's basketball coach at LSU, it was announced Wednesday in an LSU news release.
Patrick, who was a player personnel scout for the Houston Rockets when he was hired by LSU, replaced Shawn Forrest, who resigned for personal reasons.
"We are definitely excited about the addition of David Patrick to our staff," LSU head coach Johnny Jones said. "He will not only be able to help us with game planning and practice preparation, but we look forward to forward to him helping us raise our level of recruiting at LSU, both regionally, as well as nationally."
Patrick, who was a player personnel scout for the Houston Rockets when he was hired by LSU, replaced Shawn Forrest, who resigned for personal reasons.
"We are definitely excited about the addition of David Patrick to our staff," LSU head coach Johnny Jones said. "He will not only be able to help us with game planning and practice preparation, but we look forward to forward to him helping us raise our level of recruiting at LSU, both regionally, as well as nationally."
GTN Roundtable (June 20)
June, 20, 2012
6/20/12
8:49
AM ET
By
Gary Laney and
David Helman | ESPN.com
GTN writers Gary Laney and David Helman discuss issues around LSU football.
Today, they talk about the offseason attrition in the Tigers secondary. Since spring football, defensive backs Sam Gibson, David Jenkins and Ronnie Vinson have left the program to transfer to other schools.
Question: Does the offseason attrition in the secondary hurt LSU?:
Today, they talk about the offseason attrition in the Tigers secondary. Since spring football, defensive backs Sam Gibson, David Jenkins and Ronnie Vinson have left the program to transfer to other schools.
Question: Does the offseason attrition in the secondary hurt LSU?:
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Here is the best of the 2012 NFTC one-on-ones featuring some of the nation's top recruits. Included are Reuben Foster, Laremy Tunsil, Alvin Kamara, Torrodney Prevot, Frank Herron, Eddie Vanderdoes, Ahmad Fulwood and Altee Tenpenny.
LSU has lost two young defensive backs from its roster and has lost three since the end of spring practice.
Sophomore safety Sam Gibson and redshirt freshman cornerback David Jenkins have both left the program, LSU sports information confirmed in an e-mail Tuesday. It did not specify where the two players will transfer.
Gibson, a native of Prattville, Ala., played in five games as a redshirt freshman in 2011, making three total tackles. Jenkins, a native of Jena, La., who graduated from high school in Carrolton, Texas, did not play in the 2011 season.
Sophomore safety Sam Gibson and redshirt freshman cornerback David Jenkins have both left the program, LSU sports information confirmed in an e-mail Tuesday. It did not specify where the two players will transfer.
Gibson, a native of Prattville, Ala., played in five games as a redshirt freshman in 2011, making three total tackles. Jenkins, a native of Jena, La., who graduated from high school in Carrolton, Texas, did not play in the 2011 season.
When point guard Corban Collins became LSU's fifth recruit for the 2012 basketball signing class last week, it gave a look of completion for Johnny Jones' first Tigers signing class.
Sort of.
Collins gives LSU two true point guards (along with returning starter Anthony Hickey) to go with four wings (returning starter Andre Stringer and recruits Shavon Coleman, Malik Morgan and Shane Hammink), two "face-up," perimeter-shooting forwards (Eddie Ludwig and Jalen Courtney) and two "true" post players (returning starter Johnny O'Bryant III and recruit Calvin Godfrey).
Sort of.
Collins gives LSU two true point guards (along with returning starter Anthony Hickey) to go with four wings (returning starter Andre Stringer and recruits Shavon Coleman, Malik Morgan and Shane Hammink), two "face-up," perimeter-shooting forwards (Eddie Ludwig and Jalen Courtney) and two "true" post players (returning starter Johnny O'Bryant III and recruit Calvin Godfrey).
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Monday was a busy day for commitments in the West region, but defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer) isn't exactly ready to jump into the commitment scene. More than half of the top 30 players in the West have already made verbal commitments, but Vanderdoes is taking things slowly. On Monday, the 6-foot-3, 285-pound lineman took to twitter to release a list of his top 15 schools.
Alabama, Baylor, California, Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, UCLA, USC and Washington all made the cut. Vanderdoes included in his tweet that he will be cutting that down to a top 10 group soon.
Alabama, Baylor, California, Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, UCLA, USC and Washington all made the cut. Vanderdoes included in his tweet that he will be cutting that down to a top 10 group soon.
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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