BRADENTON, Fla. -- It was easy to see why four-star tight end DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) is the No. 4 rated tight end in the country at the IMG Madden 7-on-7 National Championships on Saturday. Smith opened up the day with a long 30-yard touchdown catch in the first game and never looked back. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound athlete finished with several big plays on the day.
To no one's surprise, the home-state LSU Tigers have always been considered a favorite for the talented tight end, but another team is making a strong push for his services -- the Florida Gators.
"They are recruiting me hard," Smith said. "They are one of the top teams on my list. As of now I'd say LSU and Florida are at the top for me. Coach [Derek] Lewis is doing a great job recruiting me. They respect me and I respect them. As of now it's close. Florida is in it real big -- it's going to be a hard decision."
To no one's surprise, the home-state LSU Tigers have always been considered a favorite for the talented tight end, but another team is making a strong push for his services -- the Florida Gators.
"They are recruiting me hard," Smith said. "They are one of the top teams on my list. As of now I'd say LSU and Florida are at the top for me. Coach [Derek] Lewis is doing a great job recruiting me. They respect me and I respect them. As of now it's close. Florida is in it real big -- it's going to be a hard decision."
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By this point in the summer, Melvin Jones said he was just tired of dealing with the recruiting cycle.
That's why it must have come as some relief when the Lake Charles, La., native put an end to the process on Friday morning and committed to LSU.
"He was just so confused with all the phone calls, and people calling him and everything," said Troy Jones, Melvin's father. "It was just a burden off his chest. He was just stressed, and I could see it."
That's why it must have come as some relief when the Lake Charles, La., native put an end to the process on Friday morning and committed to LSU.
"He was just so confused with all the phone calls, and people calling him and everything," said Troy Jones, Melvin's father. "It was just a burden off his chest. He was just stressed, and I could see it."
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The Tigers added their 17th commitment of 2013 and their eighth pickup in the last two months on Friday with a verbal pledge from linebacker Melvin Jones (Lake Charles, La./Washington-Marion Magnet).
Jones, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, has been a coveted target for many Tigers fans and is the first linebacker taken in this class after LSU stocked the position in 2012. LSU beat Alabama and TCU for Jones' services.
Melvin's father, Troy Jones, who played running back for both Texas A&M and McNeese State, said the decision was ultimately up to his son.
Jones, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, has been a coveted target for many Tigers fans and is the first linebacker taken in this class after LSU stocked the position in 2012. LSU beat Alabama and TCU for Jones' services.
Melvin's father, Troy Jones, who played running back for both Texas A&M and McNeese State, said the decision was ultimately up to his son.
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Tigers' OL blueprint shows bright future 
June, 29, 2012
6/29/12
7:30
AM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
Conventional wisdom says that LSU's offensive line should see some drop off in the coming months. After all, the Tigers' trench men paved the way for nearly 3,000 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns in 2011, and they surrendered just 18 sacks in 14 games.
It's a reasonable guess that after such a dominant season, LSU would see heavy losses along its offensive front. But that's where the Tigers' success in recruiting, along with a little bit of luck, comes in to play. Where one would expect losses, the real story here is addition.
The Tigers return roughly four starters from last year's impressive unit. Left tackle Chris Faulk and center P.J. Lonergan are the most obvious among the group, considering they both made double digit starts in 2011 and enter 2012 as contenders for national honors. Right tackle Alex Hurst -- who played a whopping 767 snaps last year -- and right guard Josh Williford return as well. That doesn't even include the return of sixth-year senior Josh Dworaczyk, although the extent of his role after major surgery is yet to be determined.
It's a reasonable guess that after such a dominant season, LSU would see heavy losses along its offensive front. But that's where the Tigers' success in recruiting, along with a little bit of luck, comes in to play. Where one would expect losses, the real story here is addition.
The Tigers return roughly four starters from last year's impressive unit. Left tackle Chris Faulk and center P.J. Lonergan are the most obvious among the group, considering they both made double digit starts in 2011 and enter 2012 as contenders for national honors. Right tackle Alex Hurst -- who played a whopping 767 snaps last year -- and right guard Josh Williford return as well. That doesn't even include the return of sixth-year senior Josh Dworaczyk, although the extent of his role after major surgery is yet to be determined.
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BATON ROUGE, La. – College football, by its nature, is a sport of turnover.
For every Michael Brockers or Morris Claiborne headed to the NFL, there will be a new player getting on the field trying to make an impression.
Here are five new names, players who have yet to touch the field in purple and gold, to know this fall for LSU:
For every Michael Brockers or Morris Claiborne headed to the NFL, there will be a new player getting on the field trying to make an impression.
Here are five new names, players who have yet to touch the field in purple and gold, to know this fall for LSU:
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Lewis Neal is continuing to pace his recruitment.
The defensive end from Wilson (N.C.) Hunt learned the hard way that a quick commitment isn't the way to go when he gave a verbal pledge to Ohio State, then didn't feel right about it when he returned home from Columbus. He subsequently de-committed.
He's still considering Ohio State but it seems LSU is the quiet leader for Neal, who visited Baton Rouge last weekend.
The defensive end from Wilson (N.C.) Hunt learned the hard way that a quick commitment isn't the way to go when he gave a verbal pledge to Ohio State, then didn't feel right about it when he returned home from Columbus. He subsequently de-committed.
He's still considering Ohio State but it seems LSU is the quiet leader for Neal, who visited Baton Rouge last weekend.
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GeauxTigerNation writers Gary Laney and David Helman take your questions on LSU sports. You can email them at glaneyespn@gmail.com, helmanespn@gmail.com or send them a tweet at @GLaneyESPN or @HelmanESPN.
Question (Chris in Orange, Texas): If I make one road game this year, what one should it be:
Gary Laney: For me, it's easy.
Question (Chris in Orange, Texas): If I make one road game this year, what one should it be:
Gary Laney: For me, it's easy.
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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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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