LSU Tigers: Josh Boutte
BATON ROUGE, La. -- With the 2012-2013 school year winding down, the members of the LSU signing class of 2013 should be arriving on campus soon for summer workouts. The Tigers brought in eight early enrollees in the spring and 19 more will come this summer.
Here's how we see them fitting in.
Here's how we see them fitting in.
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Louisiana represented well on signing day 
February, 25, 2013
Feb 25
10:00
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- How deep is the football talent in Louisiana?
Consider this: Every football bowl subdivision (FBS) conference in the nation has had a least two Louisiana players sign letters of intent with its member schools for the 2013 recruiting cycle, according to the ESPN database of recruits.
Louisiana high schools sent 92 players to 29 FBS programs, the data shows. Players will spread from coast to coast, with players at Stanford (wide receiver Taijuan Thomas) and Miami (tight end Standish Dobard). And they will play as far north as Kent State and as far south as Hawaii.
Consider this: Every football bowl subdivision (FBS) conference in the nation has had a least two Louisiana players sign letters of intent with its member schools for the 2013 recruiting cycle, according to the ESPN database of recruits.
Louisiana high schools sent 92 players to 29 FBS programs, the data shows. Players will spread from coast to coast, with players at Stanford (wide receiver Taijuan Thomas) and Miami (tight end Standish Dobard). And they will play as far north as Kent State and as far south as Hawaii.
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GeauxTigerNation signing day predictions
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
2:32
PM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- It looked so simple for LSU heading into the last weekend before signing day.
With 26 committed players in the class and nobody left that wasn't already a longshot, the Tigers looked like they just might just tiptoe quietly to a relatively drama-free signing day, a No. 6 national ranking for the class looking pretty solid.
Forget that.
On the weekend before signing day, the top player in the country has visited. A handful of committed players took trips elsewhere. Never mind Duke Riley being LSU's last commitment. There's a lot more that might happen.
With 26 committed players in the class and nobody left that wasn't already a longshot, the Tigers looked like they just might just tiptoe quietly to a relatively drama-free signing day, a No. 6 national ranking for the class looking pretty solid.
Forget that.
On the weekend before signing day, the top player in the country has visited. A handful of committed players took trips elsewhere. Never mind Duke Riley being LSU's last commitment. There's a lot more that might happen.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- So much activity, so little resolution.
LSU hosted the nation's No. 1 player, who was considered a long shot before the weekend. He met celebrities, attended a rap concert and seemed to leave Baton Rouge with a good vibe toward the Tigers. Meanwhile, a long-time Tiger commit seemed to waver on his commitment as he took a surprise visit to another school.
LSU hosted the nation's No. 1 player, who was considered a long shot before the weekend. He met celebrities, attended a rap concert and seemed to leave Baton Rouge with a good vibe toward the Tigers. Meanwhile, a long-time Tiger commit seemed to waver on his commitment as he took a surprise visit to another school.
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BATON ROUGE -- GTN writer Gary Laney took your questions:
William (@TigernBham): Les is on the clock for finding a great offensive coordinator. Tigers have finished in the bottom 20 percent the last 3-4 years. The talent's too good for that!
William (@TigernBham): Les is on the clock for finding a great offensive coordinator. Tigers have finished in the bottom 20 percent the last 3-4 years. The talent's too good for that!
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LSU has failed to get double-digit first downs in its last two postseason games, both losses, which is a cause for concern for LSU's offensive future -- but not if the future offensive Tigers who played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl have any say.
Tight end Desean Smith and wide receiver John Diarse, two ESPN 300 performers committed to LSU, were on the West team at Saturday’s game played in San Antonio. They were two of four future LSU players on offense, along with offensive guard Josh Boutte and quarterback Hayden Rettig.
LSU was also well-represented on defense with commit Tre'Davious White playing cornerback for the West and defensive end Frank Herron, who had a sack in the game, playing defensive end for the East.
Tight end Desean Smith and wide receiver John Diarse, two ESPN 300 performers committed to LSU, were on the West team at Saturday’s game played in San Antonio. They were two of four future LSU players on offense, along with offensive guard Josh Boutte and quarterback Hayden Rettig.
LSU was also well-represented on defense with commit Tre'Davious White playing cornerback for the West and defensive end Frank Herron, who had a sack in the game, playing defensive end for the East.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- No LSU commit won MVP, nor scored a touchdown at the Under Armour All-American game.
Yet, it was a huge, huge game for LSU recruiting.
LSU landed its two biggest commits in its 25-man 2013 class at the Under Armor game as defensive tackle Maquedius Bain, ranked No. 43 in the ESPN 150, committed Wednesday. Kendell Beckwtih, ranked No. 19 by ESPN, then committed during the first quarter of the game Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Yet, it was a huge, huge game for LSU recruiting.
LSU landed its two biggest commits in its 25-man 2013 class at the Under Armor game as defensive tackle Maquedius Bain, ranked No. 43 in the ESPN 150, committed Wednesday. Kendell Beckwtih, ranked No. 19 by ESPN, then committed during the first quarter of the game Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- There are some unknown variables when trying to figure out where true freshmen might play a big role on a team.
Take LSU right tackle Vadal Alexander. The 2012 signee became a true freshman starter at right tackle halfway through the season, something nobody saw coming. But when left tackle Chris Faulk suffered a season-ending knee injury, it opened the door for Alexander to move into the lineup, and he took the job and ran with it after another veteran starting tackle, Alex Hurst, left the team.
Similarly, with a veteran stable of running backs returning, few saw true freshman Jeremy Hill emerging as a primary running back for LSU this year. Yet, it took only one injury -- to original starter Alfred Blue -- to get Hill the break he needed to start getting carries and eventually become the starter and the Tigers' leading rusher.
Take LSU right tackle Vadal Alexander. The 2012 signee became a true freshman starter at right tackle halfway through the season, something nobody saw coming. But when left tackle Chris Faulk suffered a season-ending knee injury, it opened the door for Alexander to move into the lineup, and he took the job and ran with it after another veteran starting tackle, Alex Hurst, left the team.
Similarly, with a veteran stable of running backs returning, few saw true freshman Jeremy Hill emerging as a primary running back for LSU this year. Yet, it took only one injury -- to original starter Alfred Blue -- to get Hill the break he needed to start getting carries and eventually become the starter and the Tigers' leading rusher.
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So, the season's over.
LSU finished playing football before the year even ended with Monday's last-second, 25-24 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, a downer of an ending to a 10-3 season.
The most disappointing part? It was over before January. The eighth-ranked Tigers were the only team in the BCS top 12 to play before New Year's Day, which is usually the date where the serious bowl games begin. That LSU was left out of the New Year's Day games seemed to put a damper on the whole postseason, a feeling amplified by the result of the game.
Despite that, there's plenty to look forward to in the next five-plus weeks.
It is prime recruiting season, after all.
There will be all-star games, visitation weekends and even an early jump on 2014 recruiting for LSU and its prospects, all capped by national signing day Feb. 6.
Here's what's on the agenda and what to watch from an LSU perspective:
Friday
Under Armor All-America Game: LSU targets Maquedius Bain and Kendell Beckwith will announce their commitments at the game. Targets Robert Nkemdiche, Priest Willis, Josh McNeil, Antonio Conner, Artie Burns and Tim Williams are also playing in the game. Also playing are LSU commits Jeryl Brazil, Greg Gilmore and Ethan Pocic are also playing.
Semper Fidelis All-American Game: LSU commits Jeremy Cutrer and Christian LaCouture will play in this game.
Saturday
U.S. Army All-American Bowl: LSU fans will be able to take a glimpse at the Tigers' offensive future with LSU commits Hayden Rettig (quarterback), Desean Smith (tight end), John Diarse (wide receiver) and Josh Boutte (offensive line) all on the same team. LSU commits Tre'Davious White and Frank Herron are also in the game on defense.
Jan. 12
Boys from the Boot Day: Top 2014 players from Louisiana will be invited for unofficial visits designed to get them familiar with the recruiting process and to jump-start their relationships with LSU coaches.
That will be a huge day for LSU, considering Louisiana, perhaps the nation's most prospect-laden state on a per-capita basis, looks particularly strong in 2014. Among the players who might attend are running back Leonard Fournette, Cameron Robinson, Gerald Willis, Speedy Noil, Trey Quinn and several others.
Jan. 14
Spring semester begins: Early enrollees will begin classes, letting us know what players will get a jump on their classmates with spring practice.
Jan. 19-21, 26-28
Visit weekends: Players who haven't visited yet can set up visits on these weekends.
Feb. 6
National signing day: The culmination of the recruiting season.
LSU finished playing football before the year even ended with Monday's last-second, 25-24 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, a downer of an ending to a 10-3 season.
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Scott Drucker/IntersportLSU fans will get an early look at DL commit Greg Gilmore at the Under Armour All-America Game.
Scott Drucker/IntersportLSU fans will get an early look at DL commit Greg Gilmore at the Under Armour All-America Game.Despite that, there's plenty to look forward to in the next five-plus weeks.
It is prime recruiting season, after all.
There will be all-star games, visitation weekends and even an early jump on 2014 recruiting for LSU and its prospects, all capped by national signing day Feb. 6.
Here's what's on the agenda and what to watch from an LSU perspective:
Friday
Under Armor All-America Game: LSU targets Maquedius Bain and Kendell Beckwith will announce their commitments at the game. Targets Robert Nkemdiche, Priest Willis, Josh McNeil, Antonio Conner, Artie Burns and Tim Williams are also playing in the game. Also playing are LSU commits Jeryl Brazil, Greg Gilmore and Ethan Pocic are also playing.
Semper Fidelis All-American Game: LSU commits Jeremy Cutrer and Christian LaCouture will play in this game.
Saturday
U.S. Army All-American Bowl: LSU fans will be able to take a glimpse at the Tigers' offensive future with LSU commits Hayden Rettig (quarterback), Desean Smith (tight end), John Diarse (wide receiver) and Josh Boutte (offensive line) all on the same team. LSU commits Tre'Davious White and Frank Herron are also in the game on defense.
Jan. 12
Boys from the Boot Day: Top 2014 players from Louisiana will be invited for unofficial visits designed to get them familiar with the recruiting process and to jump-start their relationships with LSU coaches.
That will be a huge day for LSU, considering Louisiana, perhaps the nation's most prospect-laden state on a per-capita basis, looks particularly strong in 2014. Among the players who might attend are running back Leonard Fournette, Cameron Robinson, Gerald Willis, Speedy Noil, Trey Quinn and several others.
Jan. 14
Spring semester begins: Early enrollees will begin classes, letting us know what players will get a jump on their classmates with spring practice.
Jan. 19-21, 26-28
Visit weekends: Players who haven't visited yet can set up visits on these weekends.
Feb. 6
National signing day: The culmination of the recruiting season.
After two weeks of huge visitor turnouts, LSU's guest list tailed off a bit for Saturday's home finale against Ole Miss. The afternoon kickoff and the low-level opponent probably contributed to that, especially since the Tigers played marquee matchups against Alabama and Mississippi State in the weeks before.
A sizable chunk of the Tigers' usual suspects turned out -- many of them 2013 commits such as Jeryl Brazil (Loranger, La./Loranger), DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) and Tre'Davious White (Shreveport, La./Green Oaks). Some non-regular visitors such as offensive guard commit Josh Boutte (New Iberia, La./Westgate) also turned up.
A sizable chunk of the Tigers' usual suspects turned out -- many of them 2013 commits such as Jeryl Brazil (Loranger, La./Loranger), DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) and Tre'Davious White (Shreveport, La./Green Oaks). Some non-regular visitors such as offensive guard commit Josh Boutte (New Iberia, La./Westgate) also turned up.
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BATON ROUGE, La.-- There's one thing Justin Manning wants to see when he visits LSU for the Alabama showdown Saturday.
"Hopefully, I'll see a win [for LSU]," said the Dallas/Kimball four-star defensive tackle who will make LSU his fourth official visit. "For some reason, all the schools I visit lose while I'm there."
Indeed, he visited Texas A&M when LSU won there, 24-19. He was at TCU when the Horned Frogs were upset by Iowa State, and he visited Oklahoma when the Sooners lost to Kansas State. So next weekend he'll be looking for a win -- just as LSU is looking for a win in its efforts to land a quality defensive tackle like Manning.
"Hopefully, I'll see a win [for LSU]," said the Dallas/Kimball four-star defensive tackle who will make LSU his fourth official visit. "For some reason, all the schools I visit lose while I'm there."
Indeed, he visited Texas A&M when LSU won there, 24-19. He was at TCU when the Horned Frogs were upset by Iowa State, and he visited Oklahoma when the Sooners lost to Kansas State. So next weekend he'll be looking for a win -- just as LSU is looking for a win in its efforts to land a quality defensive tackle like Manning.
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LSU commit Jeryl Brazil gets jersey, win
October, 15, 2012
10/15/12
9:58
AM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 member and LSU commit Jeryl Brazil (Loranger, La./Loranger) celebrated his inclusion in the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game in style this past Friday.
After he received his jersey for those proceedings, he got back to work in his Loranger jersey. Brazil continued his big season as the Wolves' quarterback in a 42-18 win against Bogalusa, but he showed off the skills that make him dangerous in several spots: he rushed for touchdowns of 1 and 7 yards, and he added a pick-six from the cornerback spot. Loranger is 6-0 with Brazil at the helm and is set for a serious push at the Class 3A state title.
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The grind of LSU's July high school camp continued into day two Monday -- the third straight day of competition on the Tigers' campus if you include Saturday's 7-on-7 tournament.
The absurd amount of talent on hand in Baton Rouge, La., this week has long been rumored, and given the chance it has definitely lived up to the hype. Players went through their second day of workouts in front of LSU coaches and staff. It's hard to say which collection stood out the most -- LSU's contingent of 2013 commitments who have overrun the camp, the undeclared talents in this 2013 class or the ever-impressive array of 2014 talent.
The two names among names in this instance were a pair of highly talented pass rushers the Tigers are courting. Chief among them was ESPN 150 athlete and Louisiana top prospect Kendell Beckwith (Jackson, La./East Feliciana).
The absurd amount of talent on hand in Baton Rouge, La., this week has long been rumored, and given the chance it has definitely lived up to the hype. Players went through their second day of workouts in front of LSU coaches and staff. It's hard to say which collection stood out the most -- LSU's contingent of 2013 commitments who have overrun the camp, the undeclared talents in this 2013 class or the ever-impressive array of 2014 talent.
The two names among names in this instance were a pair of highly talented pass rushers the Tigers are courting. Chief among them was ESPN 150 athlete and Louisiana top prospect Kendell Beckwith (Jackson, La./East Feliciana).
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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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When one thinks of LSU's offense, the thought of a physical running game comes to mind.
And make no mistake about it, that starts up front with a quality offensive line.
LSU had a good offensive line last season and may have a better one in 2012. Here are five things to know about the Tigers' offensive line this off-season.
And make no mistake about it, that starts up front with a quality offensive line.
LSU had a good offensive line last season and may have a better one in 2012. Here are five things to know about the Tigers' offensive line this off-season.
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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