Loaded LSU class gears up for NFL draft
April, 26, 2012
4/26/12
10:55
AM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
AP Photo/Gerald HerbertCornerback Morris Claiborne performs at LSU's pro day in March in Baton Rouge.Mercifully, draft day has dawned.
It's been a winding road of workouts, interviews and speculation in the more than 100 days since Morris Claiborne and Michael Brockers announced their intentions to enter the 2012 NFL draft on Jan. 12. With the draft finally beginning Thursday, the pair that helped anchor LSU's Southeastern Conference championship defense look like a lock to be selected in the opening round.
ESPN's Mel Kiper has projected Claiborne, the Thorpe Award-winning cornerback to be a top-six pick. Brockers' stock has been a little more volatile, as he's jumped from No. 27 to No. 8 before falling to No. 15.
As Brockers is quick to point out, none of that matters now.
"It's in God's hands right now," the defensive tackle said. "It's in the hands of the GM's and the coaches and whatever they think is the best fit for their team."
That relaxed attitude is easy to talk about, but perhaps a bit harder to follow through on. From the day of their announcement, through the NFL combine to LSU's pro day workouts and everything in between, LSU's first round prospects have gone through the gauntlet of media and league scrutiny. At the start of this final week, Brockers said he was doing his best to avoid the talk.
Scouts Inc. breaks down the 2012 class in each position group, including the top prospects in each of the position-specific categories Scouts uses in evaluations, along with a listing of all draft-ready prospects, four-year combine averages, picks in Rounds 1-2, and three-year market trends for each position.
Offense
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Offensive lineman
Defense
Defensive lineman
Linebacker
Defensive back
Offense
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Offensive lineman
Defense
Defensive lineman
Linebacker
Defensive back
BATON ROUGE -- Kendell Beckwith was a coveted 2013 prospect long before last week's release of the ESPN 150.
But whoever was unfamiliar with the East Feliciana (La.) High School linebacker before the list debuted knows him now. In the initial edition of the ESPN 150, Beckwith is sitting pretty as the No. 16 prospect in the nation, the top-ranked athlete in the nation, and the best player from Louisiana.
"It was nice. It was real nice -- I was surprised a little bit," Beckwith said. "A friend of mine texted me and told me, and then I went and looked and I saw it. It was great. I was all smiles for the rest of the day."
But whoever was unfamiliar with the East Feliciana (La.) High School linebacker before the list debuted knows him now. In the initial edition of the ESPN 150, Beckwith is sitting pretty as the No. 16 prospect in the nation, the top-ranked athlete in the nation, and the best player from Louisiana.
"It was nice. It was real nice -- I was surprised a little bit," Beckwith said. "A friend of mine texted me and told me, and then I went and looked and I saw it. It was great. I was all smiles for the rest of the day."
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One of the most anticipated arrivals for Sunday's NFTC was that of the nation's top-rated offensive lineman, Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia).
Tunsil, the No. 3 overall prospect in the ESPN 150, has kept his recruitment close to the vest but was willing to reveal his top five Sunday.
"My top five as it stands is Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, LSU and Alabama," Tunsil said. "I like their playbooks, the offense will allow me to pull and have my hand in the ground.
Tunsil, the No. 3 overall prospect in the ESPN 150, has kept his recruitment close to the vest but was willing to reveal his top five Sunday.
"My top five as it stands is Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, LSU and Alabama," Tunsil said. "I like their playbooks, the offense will allow me to pull and have my hand in the ground.
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On Monday afternoon, LSU landed its first Johnny Jones basketball recruit in Shavon Coleman. Just hours later, news of another Tigers recruit surfaced.
Shane Hammink, a 6-foot-6 guard/forward from Holland via Canarias Basketball Academy in Spain, joined Coleman in the LSU signing class. The son of former LSU star Geert Hammink is considered one of the top prospects his age in Europe.
In the 2011 U18 European Championships, he averaged 12.3 points in seven games for the Netherlands. He was named the MVP of a major tournament recently at Tourcoring, France after he averaged 14 points a game for CBA. In the 2010 U16 European championships, he averaged 17.8 points and 8.9 rebounds.
Shane Hammink, a 6-foot-6 guard/forward from Holland via Canarias Basketball Academy in Spain, joined Coleman in the LSU signing class. The son of former LSU star Geert Hammink is considered one of the top prospects his age in Europe.
In the 2011 U18 European Championships, he averaged 12.3 points in seven games for the Netherlands. He was named the MVP of a major tournament recently at Tourcoring, France after he averaged 14 points a game for CBA. In the 2010 U16 European championships, he averaged 17.8 points and 8.9 rebounds.
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Johnny Jones has his first recruit as LSU's men's basketball coach.
Shavon Coleman, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing from Howard College in Texas via Thibodaux, La., signed with LSU Monday afternoon.
Coleman, who averaged 14.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists for Howard as a sophomore, was recruited by former LSU coach Trent Johnson's staff and Jones stayed with the Louisiana native when he became coach over a week ago.
Shavon Coleman, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing from Howard College in Texas via Thibodaux, La., signed with LSU Monday afternoon.
Coleman, who averaged 14.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists for Howard as a sophomore, was recruited by former LSU coach Trent Johnson's staff and Jones stayed with the Louisiana native when he became coach over a week ago.
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LSU's series loss to Kentucky during the weekend doesn't appear to have soured anyone's opinion of the Tigers.
The most recent edition of the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 coaches' poll, released Monday, saw LSU (32-9) fall just two spots to No. 6 after dropping two of three games to the No. 3 Wildcats.
Two of the Tigers' four remaining SEC opponents climbed up the polls while LSU fell. South Carolina jumped three spots to No. 5 after a three-game sweep of Auburn. Ole Miss also jumped three spots to No. 19 after a series win against No. 17 Arkansas. LSU travels to face the Rebels on May 4, while the series with the Gamecocks will conclude the regular season from May 17-19.
The most recent edition of the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 coaches' poll, released Monday, saw LSU (32-9) fall just two spots to No. 6 after dropping two of three games to the No. 3 Wildcats.
Two of the Tigers' four remaining SEC opponents climbed up the polls while LSU fell. South Carolina jumped three spots to No. 5 after a three-game sweep of Auburn. Ole Miss also jumped three spots to No. 19 after a series win against No. 17 Arkansas. LSU travels to face the Rebels on May 4, while the series with the Gamecocks will conclude the regular season from May 17-19.
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Lawson, LSU's No. 7 commit, improving 
April, 23, 2012
4/23/12
10:05
AM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE -- Based purely on physical appearance, Tevin Lawson looks like he could be ready for college football right now.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, Lawson became one of LSU's newest additions to the defensive line on March 30, when he became commitment No. 7 for Les Miles.
As imposing as he might be as a high school junior, the Denham Springs product has only scratched the surface of what he could become, according to his high school coach, Dru Nettles.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, Lawson became one of LSU's newest additions to the defensive line on March 30, when he became commitment No. 7 for Les Miles.
As imposing as he might be as a high school junior, the Denham Springs product has only scratched the surface of what he could become, according to his high school coach, Dru Nettles.
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Despite holding a couple major SEC offers, Gadsden, Ala., wide receiver B.J. Hammond is somewhat of an unknown in the recruiting world.
On Saturday, he began to turn some heads with his performance at the Atlanta NFTC. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound prospect looked smooth running routes and caught everything that was thrown to him. He made it look easy.
“This is my first actual combine that I’ve been able to make,” Hammond said. “I feel like today was a good warmup. People look at it like you stood out, but it was just a warmup to me. They haven’t seen anything yet.”
On Saturday, he began to turn some heads with his performance at the Atlanta NFTC. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound prospect looked smooth running routes and caught everything that was thrown to him. He made it look easy.
“This is my first actual combine that I’ve been able to make,” Hammond said. “I feel like today was a good warmup. People look at it like you stood out, but it was just a warmup to me. They haven’t seen anything yet.”
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star defensive end Demarcus Walker of Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood was a standout among the defensive line at the Orlando Nike Football Training Camp Sunday.
Walker, who earned an invite to The Opening with his performance, was still disappointed after the event ended.
"I thought I was the best," Walker said. "I thought I should have been the MVP, but oh well, it's straight."
Walker, who earned an invite to The Opening with his performance, was still disappointed after the event ended.
"I thought I was the best," Walker said. "I thought I should have been the MVP, but oh well, it's straight."
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No. 4 LSU took the first game of its mega-matchup with No. 3 Kentucky on Friday, but the Tigers failed to capitalize for the second straight time Sunday, dropping a 7-6 decision and losing the series.
Overview: This has to feel like a game that got away for the Tigers (32-9, 12-6). LSU came up just one run short and made a slew of mental mistakes on the base paths, not to mention some severe bad luck. Whether it was Austin Nola getting thrown out at the plate t0 end the second inning, or Tyler Hanover being caught stealing second with no outs in the sixth, the Tigers accidentally threw away several base runners.
LSU also grounded into a frustrating three double plays. Nola hit the first of the trio with no outs and two runners on base with the Tigers trailing, 3-1, in the fourth inning. Casey Yocum killed off a potential rally in the seventh inning, when he hit the second with one runner on first and LSU trailing, 7-5. Jordy Snikeris completed the trifecta in the next frame when he ended a rally attempt by hitting into a 4-6-3 play.
Overview: This has to feel like a game that got away for the Tigers (32-9, 12-6). LSU came up just one run short and made a slew of mental mistakes on the base paths, not to mention some severe bad luck. Whether it was Austin Nola getting thrown out at the plate t0 end the second inning, or Tyler Hanover being caught stealing second with no outs in the sixth, the Tigers accidentally threw away several base runners.
LSU also grounded into a frustrating three double plays. Nola hit the first of the trio with no outs and two runners on base with the Tigers trailing, 3-1, in the fourth inning. Casey Yocum killed off a potential rally in the seventh inning, when he hit the second with one runner on first and LSU trailing, 7-5. Jordy Snikeris completed the trifecta in the next frame when he ended a rally attempt by hitting into a 4-6-3 play.
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Jerad Grundy and Alex Phillips combined to scatter eight LSU hits and shut out the Tigers after the first inning of an 8-1 Kentucky win Saturday at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington, Ky.
No. 3 Kentucky (34-6, 12-5) was powered by a pair of home runs, by Austin Cousino and Luke Maile, to spearhead an 11-hit attack as the Wildcats evened the series and the top of the SEC standings with No. 4 LSU (32-8, 12-5), which won 5-4 on Friday. Sunday's rubber match will determine who gets the best of the three-game series and emerges as the SEC leader.
Here were some keys:
No. 3 Kentucky (34-6, 12-5) was powered by a pair of home runs, by Austin Cousino and Luke Maile, to spearhead an 11-hit attack as the Wildcats evened the series and the top of the SEC standings with No. 4 LSU (32-8, 12-5), which won 5-4 on Friday. Sunday's rubber match will determine who gets the best of the three-game series and emerges as the SEC leader.
Here were some keys:
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Austin Nola's two-run, two-out double in the fifth inning gave No. 4 LSU the winning runs as the Tigers won their eighth straight game, beating No. 3 Kentucky, 5-4 Friday at Kentucky.
With the win, LSU (32-7) takes sole possession of first place in the SEC at 12-4. LSU continues to lead the Western Division while Kentucky (33-6, 11-5) leads the East. Many also look at the series as a 1 vs. 2 matchup because LSU and Kentucky are ranked 1 and 2, respectively, in the Collegiate Baseball poll.
Close the Door: LSU ace Kevin Gausman (7-1) didn't have his sharpest outing, getting touched for 10 hits and four earned runs in seven innings, while striking out 11.
With the win, LSU (32-7) takes sole possession of first place in the SEC at 12-4. LSU continues to lead the Western Division while Kentucky (33-6, 11-5) leads the East. Many also look at the series as a 1 vs. 2 matchup because LSU and Kentucky are ranked 1 and 2, respectively, in the Collegiate Baseball poll.
Close the Door: LSU ace Kevin Gausman (7-1) didn't have his sharpest outing, getting touched for 10 hits and four earned runs in seven innings, while striking out 11.
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The regular season won't get much better than this weekend's clash between No. 3 Kentucky and No. 4 LSU.
Predictably enough, Lexington, Ky., ranks second as the No. 2 series of the weekend in the newest edition of the weekend preview -- behind only No. 2 Florida State vs. No. 12 Miami.
The Tigers (31-7, 11-4) can claim the top spot in the SEC with another series win this weekend. LSU's recent tear has raised eyebrows around the country, with the Tigers winning four of their five SEC series while downing the likes of No. 1 Florida and No. 15 Arkansas.
Predictably enough, Lexington, Ky., ranks second as the No. 2 series of the weekend in the newest edition of the weekend preview -- behind only No. 2 Florida State vs. No. 12 Miami.
The Tigers (31-7, 11-4) can claim the top spot in the SEC with another series win this weekend. LSU's recent tear has raised eyebrows around the country, with the Tigers winning four of their five SEC series while downing the likes of No. 1 Florida and No. 15 Arkansas.
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ESPN 150's DeSean Smith has LSU in front
April, 19, 2012
4/19/12
1:57
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 tight end DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) plans to make his decision in January, during the U.S. Army All-American Game.
"I know I want to visit LSU and Alabama. I know I want to visit one of the three Florida schools [Florida State, Florida or Miami]," Smith said. "I would love to get out to Cal and see some places out West. And I will probably visit Notre Dame. All of those schools have offered. I have 18 total right now.”
Smith, now 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, said Texas A&M was the first school to offer him last summer.
"I know I want to visit LSU and Alabama. I know I want to visit one of the three Florida schools [Florida State, Florida or Miami]," Smith said. "I would love to get out to Cal and see some places out West. And I will probably visit Notre Dame. All of those schools have offered. I have 18 total right now.”
Smith, now 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, said Texas A&M was the first school to offer him last summer.
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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