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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Liggins' situation clears up QB recruiting
June, 18, 2012
6/18/12
2:34
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
Jeremy Liggins has enrolled for summer courses for Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College, but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't wear purple and gold this fall.
LSU's 2012 quarterback commitment from Lafayette High School in Oxford, Miss., has been the subject of speculation all weekend since word spread he had opted to take the juco route after failing to qualify academically. But Anthony Hart, the athletic director at Lafayette and Liggins' former coach, said that speculation is premature.
Hart said Saturday that while Liggins has not yet met state requirements in Louisiana, he is still in the process of trying to qualify. He reiterated that again Monday morning, saying that the 6-foot-3, 270-pound quarterback can still report to LSU if he meets requirements in the coming weeks.
LSU's 2012 quarterback commitment from Lafayette High School in Oxford, Miss., has been the subject of speculation all weekend since word spread he had opted to take the juco route after failing to qualify academically. But Anthony Hart, the athletic director at Lafayette and Liggins' former coach, said that speculation is premature.
Hart said Saturday that while Liggins has not yet met state requirements in Louisiana, he is still in the process of trying to qualify. He reiterated that again Monday morning, saying that the 6-foot-3, 270-pound quarterback can still report to LSU if he meets requirements in the coming weeks.
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It's never too early for a primer on LSU running backs because there is so much to know.
For most teams, knowing a starter and maybe a key backup is enough.
Not at LSU.
For most teams, knowing a starter and maybe a key backup is enough.
Not at LSU.
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DE Gilmore feels the love at Tide's camp
June, 17, 2012
6/17/12
9:13
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
It was about an eight-hour drive for Hope Mills, N.C., defensive end Greg Gilmore to attend the University of Alabama’s OL/DL camp on Saturday, but when camp was over, it was well worth the trip.
“It went really good. I learned so much,” Gilmore said. “I was only going to do the first session and be done with that, but I got to do both sessions and worked on a lot of pass rush stuff and a lot of line stuff. I learned a lot good techniques to help my game.”
Gilmore has the Crimson Tide among his favorites, and with top defensive line prospect Robert Nkemdiche off the board for now, it looks like Alabama has made Gilmore a bigger priority for the 2013 class.
“It went really good. I learned so much,” Gilmore said. “I was only going to do the first session and be done with that, but I got to do both sessions and worked on a lot of pass rush stuff and a lot of line stuff. I learned a lot good techniques to help my game.”
Gilmore has the Crimson Tide among his favorites, and with top defensive line prospect Robert Nkemdiche off the board for now, it looks like Alabama has made Gilmore a bigger priority for the 2013 class.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Five-star offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) visited Alabama, Georgia and Florida over the last week. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound tackle named a top three after his visit to Florida on Sunday.
"I would say they are my top three," Tunsil said of the three schools he visited. "It's a tie right now with all of them."
Tunsil, who camped at Alabama last weekend, visited Georgia on Friday and Saturday before heading to Gainesville on Sunday. The No. 3-ranked player in the country said he was impressed by what Georgia had to offer.
"I would say they are my top three," Tunsil said of the three schools he visited. "It's a tie right now with all of them."
Tunsil, who camped at Alabama last weekend, visited Georgia on Friday and Saturday before heading to Gainesville on Sunday. The No. 3-ranked player in the country said he was impressed by what Georgia had to offer.
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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