ESPN 150 inclusion has Taylor 'shocked' 
April, 19, 2012
4/19/12
12:39
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
Since only five Louisiana prospects made the cut for the initial ESPN 150, it was a given they'd be familiar names.
The home state's lineup of Kendell Beckwith, Tim Williams, Standish Dobard and DeSean Smith have long been considered some of Louisiana's top talent, and all four have been on LSU's radar for some time. One name that wasn't as familiar to most was Christopher Taylor (Zachary, La./Zachary), an offensive guard and the state's final 150 prospect.
Taylor, who tips the scales at 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, is a bit of a unique find for the ESPN 150. He's talented enough to rank No. 6 in the country among offensive guards, but while most of his list mates are decorated with dozens of prestigious offers, Taylor has yet to receive an offer from a BCS program.
The home state's lineup of Kendell Beckwith, Tim Williams, Standish Dobard and DeSean Smith have long been considered some of Louisiana's top talent, and all four have been on LSU's radar for some time. One name that wasn't as familiar to most was Christopher Taylor (Zachary, La./Zachary), an offensive guard and the state's final 150 prospect.
Taylor, who tips the scales at 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, is a bit of a unique find for the ESPN 150. He's talented enough to rank No. 6 in the country among offensive guards, but while most of his list mates are decorated with dozens of prestigious offers, Taylor has yet to receive an offer from a BCS program.
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Torrodney Prevot is finally working with his own football team.
That probably doesn't seem like a novel concept for the Alief Taylor High School defensive end from Houston. But considering Prevot's whirlwind spring schedule, it's nice to get back to some normalcy. Whether it was a trip to the Nike Football Training Camp in Dallas at the end of March, or his visit to LSU's spring game two weeks ago, Prevot, a four-star prospect, has maintained a busy schedule so far this spring.
With those types of trips winding down for the time being, Prevot said it's been good to get back to work on his own team.
That probably doesn't seem like a novel concept for the Alief Taylor High School defensive end from Houston. But considering Prevot's whirlwind spring schedule, it's nice to get back to some normalcy. Whether it was a trip to the Nike Football Training Camp in Dallas at the end of March, or his visit to LSU's spring game two weeks ago, Prevot, a four-star prospect, has maintained a busy schedule so far this spring.
With those types of trips winding down for the time being, Prevot said it's been good to get back to work on his own team.
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One-stop shopping for ESPN 150 release
April, 17, 2012
4/17/12
2:21
PM ET
By Bryan Mullen | ESPN.com
The highly anticipated ESPN 150 was released Tuesday. Here's your one-stop shopping:
Who made it and who didn't? Here's the ESPN 150 list.
Take a deeper look at some of the top players: Inside the ESPN 150
.
Robert Nkemdiche is the No. 1 prospect in the ESPN 150. How will he handle the pressure?
Tom Luginbill breaks down the list: Analysis
There were some tough choices to make. Who barely missed out?
ESPN's Mitch Sherman has some questions for Nkemdiche. Check out the interview.
RecruitingNation 411: Top classes, best recruits.
Give a listen to the podcast about how the ESPN 150 came together.
Who made it and who didn't? Here's the ESPN 150 list.
Take a deeper look at some of the top players: Inside the ESPN 150
.
Robert Nkemdiche is the No. 1 prospect in the ESPN 150. How will he handle the pressure?
Tom Luginbill breaks down the list: Analysis
There were some tough choices to make. Who barely missed out?
ESPN's Mitch Sherman has some questions for Nkemdiche. Check out the interview.
RecruitingNation 411: Top classes, best recruits.
Give a listen to the podcast about how the ESPN 150 came together.
ESPN 150 released, LSU targets abound
April, 17, 2012
4/17/12
12:19
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE -- Given the way LSU has recruited in recent years, the release of Tuesday's initial ESPN 150 gives cause for a double-take.
Throughout the lengthy list of the nation's top football talent for 2013, there isn't a single mention of LSU's current nine-man crop. None of the Tigers commits to this point made the initial list.
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5-star OT Laremy Tunsil talks top schools
April, 17, 2012
4/17/12
12:05
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
The news of Tuesday’s release of the ESPN 150 brought excitement to offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), who is ranked the No. 3 overall prospect in the country, one of just seven five-star prospects, the top recruit in Florida, and top offensive linemen in the 2013 class. But, for the 6-foot-6, 290-pound tackle with offers from around the country, the satisfaction was short-lived.
“It feels great to be ranked so high, but the stars do not matter,” Tunsil said. “What is important to me is the hard work and dedication you put into the game you love.”
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As the remaining LSU players trickled into the room for the news conference introducing Johnny Jones as their new head coach, point guard Anthony Hickey was conspicuously absent.
But he arrived just before the news conference started and took a seat at a table with teammates. It's a seat that, much to the relief of Jones and LSU basketball fans, he's willing to keep.
"I'm in here for the long run," he said. "I wasn't really thinking about leaving. It was just rumors, you know, when the coach is leaving."
Those rumors centered around Hickey's desire to be closer to family in his home state of Kentucky. Instead, he referred to the LSU team as "my family here."
With Hickey on board, all seven scholarship players returning from the 18-15 team said they would return to play for Jones. That includes starters Hickey, forward Johnny O'Bryant and wings Andre Stringer and Ralston Turner.
Hickey's return is crucial, given LSU's lack of depth at point guard.
The 5-foot-11 former Kentucky Mr. Basketball made the SEC's All-Freshman team after averaging 8.9 points and a team-high 3.8 assists in 2012. He started 31 of LSU's 33 games and showed defensive prowess, ripping off an SEC-best 2.1 steals a game.
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Derick E. Hingle/US PresswireAnthony Hickey (left) said he is excited about the hiring of coach Johnny Jones.
"I'm in here for the long run," he said. "I wasn't really thinking about leaving. It was just rumors, you know, when the coach is leaving."
Those rumors centered around Hickey's desire to be closer to family in his home state of Kentucky. Instead, he referred to the LSU team as "my family here."
With Hickey on board, all seven scholarship players returning from the 18-15 team said they would return to play for Jones. That includes starters Hickey, forward Johnny O'Bryant and wings Andre Stringer and Ralston Turner.
Hickey's return is crucial, given LSU's lack of depth at point guard.
The 5-foot-11 former Kentucky Mr. Basketball made the SEC's All-Freshman team after averaging 8.9 points and a team-high 3.8 assists in 2012. He started 31 of LSU's 33 games and showed defensive prowess, ripping off an SEC-best 2.1 steals a game.
Recruiting begins right away for Jones
April, 16, 2012
4/16/12
5:53
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
Courtesy Andrew ShurtleffRicardo Gathers considered LSU but signed with Baylor instead.BATON ROUGE, La. -- Johnny Jones is officially the head man at LSU.
Now, he'd better get to work.
It's no secret that the timing of Trent Johnson's departure put LSU behind the eight ball in the recruiting world. The Tigers didn't have a coach when basketball's national signing day arrived last Wednesday, and he's got a limited window of time to make up for that fact.
Asked about it at his introductory press conference Monday, Jones said he had already gotten started on the recruiting trail. But the real heavy lifting is still to come.
"We've just got to make sure we roll up our sleeves and not look for any situation where we're looking for excuses," Jones said. "We've got to go out there and try to identify some people who haven't been signed yet."
When LSU hired Johnny Jones as its new basketball coach Friday, it brought reaction from around the program and college basketball online and in social media. Here's a sampling of the reaction:
Johnny O'Bryant, LSU forward (Twitter): Imma finish what I started, not leaving ... Don't believe the rumors...
There has been speculation that O'Bryant, the former McDonald's All American, might leave LSU after his freshman season to test the NBA waters. This tweet was sent out Saturday morning.
Mark Gottfried, North Carolina State (Twitter): So happy for my former asst Johnny Jones who is new coach @LSUbasketball. Phenomenal coach and friend. Could not have made a better hire.
Jones was an assistant coach under Gottfried at Alabama in 2000-01.
Dick Vitale, ESPN color analyst (Twitter): Gr8 hire by LSU in Johnny Jones-will recruit big time players.Personality +
Dicky V. can Twitter shorthand better than most high school girls.
Scott Cross, Head coach at Texas-Arlington (Twitter): So happy for Johnny Jones!!!
UTA, a Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex rival of Jones' North Texas program, won the Southland Conference regular season title in 2012 and Cross' name has come up in some searches at larger programs.
[+] Enlarge
Paul Abell/US PRESSWIREMark Gottfried was one of many who used social media to praise LSU's hiring of Johnny Jones.
There has been speculation that O'Bryant, the former McDonald's All American, might leave LSU after his freshman season to test the NBA waters. This tweet was sent out Saturday morning.
Mark Gottfried, North Carolina State (Twitter): So happy for my former asst Johnny Jones who is new coach @LSUbasketball. Phenomenal coach and friend. Could not have made a better hire.
Jones was an assistant coach under Gottfried at Alabama in 2000-01.
Dick Vitale, ESPN color analyst (Twitter): Gr8 hire by LSU in Johnny Jones-will recruit big time players.Personality +
Dicky V. can Twitter shorthand better than most high school girls.
Scott Cross, Head coach at Texas-Arlington (Twitter): So happy for Johnny Jones!!!
UTA, a Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex rival of Jones' North Texas program, won the Southland Conference regular season title in 2012 and Cross' name has come up in some searches at larger programs.
BATON ROUGE -- LSU finished off a weekend sweep of Alabama on Sunday afternoon with a 5-1 win.
The Tigers (30-7, 11-4) have now won 13 of their last 14 games and hold a three-game lead in the SEC West. Three straight losses drop Alabama (13-23, 4-11) deeper into the conference cellar.
Overview: As was the case all weekend, Alabama had some success early, but couldn't sustain it against the LSU pitching staff. LSU starter Aaron Nola (5-1) surrendered a solo home run to Alabama shortstop Jared Reaves in the game's third at-bat. But Nola recovered to allow just two more hits over five innings of work. He struck out five to go along with his three total hits and one run.
The Tigers (30-7, 11-4) have now won 13 of their last 14 games and hold a three-game lead in the SEC West. Three straight losses drop Alabama (13-23, 4-11) deeper into the conference cellar.
Overview: As was the case all weekend, Alabama had some success early, but couldn't sustain it against the LSU pitching staff. LSU starter Aaron Nola (5-1) surrendered a solo home run to Alabama shortstop Jared Reaves in the game's third at-bat. But Nola recovered to allow just two more hits over five innings of work. He struck out five to go along with his three total hits and one run.
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BATON ROUGE -- LSU secured another SEC series win Saturday night with a 7-1 victory against Alabama.
Here's some quick reaction from the game, which went from a two-run thriller to a blowout during the course of a crucial eighth inning.
Overview: LSU starter Ryan Eades (5-1) turned in a sterling performance in subduing the Crimson Tide lineup. Eades didn't overpower Alabama's offense, but he completely befuddled the Tide (13-22, 4-10) while limiting their hitters to just two hits. He notched just five strikeouts, but he managed to retire the side in order in five of the eight innings he appeared in. He finished the night with 7.1 innings pitched, one run and just two hits allowed along with his five strikeouts.
Here's some quick reaction from the game, which went from a two-run thriller to a blowout during the course of a crucial eighth inning.
Overview: LSU starter Ryan Eades (5-1) turned in a sterling performance in subduing the Crimson Tide lineup. Eades didn't overpower Alabama's offense, but he completely befuddled the Tide (13-22, 4-10) while limiting their hitters to just two hits. He notched just five strikeouts, but he managed to retire the side in order in five of the eight innings he appeared in. He finished the night with 7.1 innings pitched, one run and just two hits allowed along with his five strikeouts.
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For some, it was perfect fit.
For others, LSU settled for something less.
Now that Johnny Jones, the Louisiana native and LSU graduate , has the head men's basketball coach position at his alma mater, it's up to him to prove the former true. Because he will be walking into a divided Tiger nation.
As a native Louisianian from the small town of DeRidder who played on the 1981 Final Four team and started his coaching career as a Dale Brown assistant, his supporters say he's the guy to turn around a program that has failed to sustain consistent success since the Shaquille O'Neal days.
To his detractors, he's the guy who was on the LSU staff when the Lester Earl scandal happened (he was cleared of wrongdoing). And he's a mid-major coach with a modestly successful record, a 205-162 worksheet that includes 11 seasons at Sun Belt Conference member North Texas where he managed just one division championship and two NCAA Tournament appearances, neither yielding a win.
For these people, he can't "win" his introductory press conference Monday. Those who thought LSU should have dumped the state treasury at the feet of Shaka Smart or Jamie Dixon won't be swayed by anything Jones has to say when the formal unveiling happens.
But he will have two chances to win over the detractors, all before his first LSU team takes the floor for a game.
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Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesNew LSU coach Johnny Jones will need to show his recruiting skills.
Now that Johnny Jones, the Louisiana native and LSU graduate , has the head men's basketball coach position at his alma mater, it's up to him to prove the former true. Because he will be walking into a divided Tiger nation.
As a native Louisianian from the small town of DeRidder who played on the 1981 Final Four team and started his coaching career as a Dale Brown assistant, his supporters say he's the guy to turn around a program that has failed to sustain consistent success since the Shaquille O'Neal days.
To his detractors, he's the guy who was on the LSU staff when the Lester Earl scandal happened (he was cleared of wrongdoing). And he's a mid-major coach with a modestly successful record, a 205-162 worksheet that includes 11 seasons at Sun Belt Conference member North Texas where he managed just one division championship and two NCAA Tournament appearances, neither yielding a win.
For these people, he can't "win" his introductory press conference Monday. Those who thought LSU should have dumped the state treasury at the feet of Shaka Smart or Jamie Dixon won't be swayed by anything Jones has to say when the formal unveiling happens.
But he will have two chances to win over the detractors, all before his first LSU team takes the floor for a game.
BATON ROUGE -- Although it was perhaps overshadowed by the hiring of Johnny Jones to coach LSU basketball, LSU baseball took its first game of the weekend against Alabama by a score of 10-2 on Friday night.
Overview: Alabama (13-21, 4-9) had reason to be optimistic early on, as the Tide's first two batters managed a triple and a single, respectively, against Kevin Gausman (6-1) to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Mason Katz took the momentum right back in LSU's half of the first when he belted a three-run shot over the left field bleachers to take a 3-1 lead -- a lead the Tigers (28-7, 9-4) would not relinquish. Gausman wasn't exactly dominant, but that's probably nitpicking. He settled down to allow just four more hits and one more run with seven strikeouts during his seven innings of work. He held the Alabama offense in check with the exception of a RBI single in the third inning.
Overview: Alabama (13-21, 4-9) had reason to be optimistic early on, as the Tide's first two batters managed a triple and a single, respectively, against Kevin Gausman (6-1) to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Mason Katz took the momentum right back in LSU's half of the first when he belted a three-run shot over the left field bleachers to take a 3-1 lead -- a lead the Tigers (28-7, 9-4) would not relinquish. Gausman wasn't exactly dominant, but that's probably nitpicking. He settled down to allow just four more hits and one more run with seven strikeouts during his seven innings of work. He held the Alabama offense in check with the exception of a RBI single in the third inning.
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After a meeting with head basketball coach Tubby Smith, Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi told the St. Paul Pioneer Press Friday that he expected Smith to return.
"There have been rumors every year; not certain what ones are true," Maturi told the Pioneer Press in a text message. "I have stated often that I hope and expect Tubby to finish his career here."
Maturi said he spoke to Smith Friday, but did not divulge details of the conversation, the Pioneer Press reported.
Various reports Friday said LSU athletic director Joe Alleva spoke with Smith about the job, presumably Thursday when both me were in the Norfolk, Va. area where the Portsmouth Invitational is ongoing. LSU also interviewed North Texas coach Johnny Jones about the job Tuesday.
This kind of story is nothing new for folks in Minnesota in the Smith era. The former Kentucky, Ge0rgia and Tulsa coach has been a strong candidate for various jobs during his five-year run at Minnesota.
There have been flirtations in recent years with Missouri, Maryland, Virginia, Auburn, and Oregon. That trend continued this season when he was a candidate for both the South Carolina job that eventually went to Kansas State's Frank Martin and at Tulsa, where Smith held his first head coach job. That job eventually went to Kansas assistant coach Danny Manning.
Smith, 60, has been pushing for a contract extension from Minnesota, a request complicated by the pending retirement of Maturi in June. Minnesota wants to wait until Maturi's replacement is identified before dealing with Smith's contract. Smith has also been unhappy with his program's lack of a practice facility. LSU has a new facility that cost just under $14 million to build.
LSU might hesitate based on Smith's advanced age - he'll be 61 by the time the fall semester begins - and recent issues in the Minnesota program. While his 491-209 career record with a national championship in 1998 with Kentucky are impressive, his Gophers teams have missed the NCAA tournament the last two seasons and his teams have gone 12-24 in Big 10 play.
He has also had six players transfer out of his program in the last two years.
"There have been rumors every year; not certain what ones are true," Maturi told the Pioneer Press in a text message. "I have stated often that I hope and expect Tubby to finish his career here."
Maturi said he spoke to Smith Friday, but did not divulge details of the conversation, the Pioneer Press reported.
Various reports Friday said LSU athletic director Joe Alleva spoke with Smith about the job, presumably Thursday when both me were in the Norfolk, Va. area where the Portsmouth Invitational is ongoing. LSU also interviewed North Texas coach Johnny Jones about the job Tuesday.
This kind of story is nothing new for folks in Minnesota in the Smith era. The former Kentucky, Ge0rgia and Tulsa coach has been a strong candidate for various jobs during his five-year run at Minnesota.
There have been flirtations in recent years with Missouri, Maryland, Virginia, Auburn, and Oregon. That trend continued this season when he was a candidate for both the South Carolina job that eventually went to Kansas State's Frank Martin and at Tulsa, where Smith held his first head coach job. That job eventually went to Kansas assistant coach Danny Manning.
Smith, 60, has been pushing for a contract extension from Minnesota, a request complicated by the pending retirement of Maturi in June. Minnesota wants to wait until Maturi's replacement is identified before dealing with Smith's contract. Smith has also been unhappy with his program's lack of a practice facility. LSU has a new facility that cost just under $14 million to build.
LSU might hesitate based on Smith's advanced age - he'll be 61 by the time the fall semester begins - and recent issues in the Minnesota program. While his 491-209 career record with a national championship in 1998 with Kentucky are impressive, his Gophers teams have missed the NCAA tournament the last two seasons and his teams have gone 12-24 in Big 10 play.
He has also had six players transfer out of his program in the last two years.
Tigers look to continue tear against Tide
April, 13, 2012
4/13/12
1:04
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE -- With a road trip to No. 2 Kentucky looming, this weekend's series against Alabama is one LSU would be wise to win.
The No. 7 Tigers (27-7, 8-4) host Alabama this weekend after taking an impressive five of six games from SEC heavyweights Florida and Arkansas. If you simply look at the SEC standings, it's easy to assume the Crimson Tide (13-20, 4-8) will be an easy out for an LSU team that has won 9 of its last 10 games.
The Tide's team batting average of .255 ranks last in the SEC, as does its team ERA of 4.96. The Tigers sit fourth in the league in both categories, with a team average of .302 and a 3.10 team ERA.
The No. 7 Tigers (27-7, 8-4) host Alabama this weekend after taking an impressive five of six games from SEC heavyweights Florida and Arkansas. If you simply look at the SEC standings, it's easy to assume the Crimson Tide (13-20, 4-8) will be an easy out for an LSU team that has won 9 of its last 10 games.
The Tide's team batting average of .255 ranks last in the SEC, as does its team ERA of 4.96. The Tigers sit fourth in the league in both categories, with a team average of .302 and a 3.10 team ERA.
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New LSU coach to face recruiting challenge
April, 13, 2012
4/13/12
6:25
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
By now, it's clear what challenges the new LSU men's basketball coach will face when he gets the job.
On the plus side, he will likely be paid well, with the potential for more if he's successful thanks to LSU's ample athletic budget. He will have a new, state-of-the-art practice facility, which is a huge plus these days in recruiting.
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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