LSU Tigers: rashard robinson
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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BATON ROUGE, La. -- In the last couple of weeks, GeauxTigerNation has spent plenty of time in New Orleans metro, visiting with coaches and players from River Ridge John Curtis, Metairie Archbishop Rummel (to watch practice) and New Orleans St. Augustine.
That's just the tip of the iceberg. New Orleans is loaded, so we'll be back. We haven't even hit loaded Karr, or prospect-laden programs such as Brother Martin, Marrero Archbishop Shaw and Marrero John Ehret yet.
Meanwhile, LSU spread its wings well away from Louisiana on the recruiting trail:
That's just the tip of the iceberg. New Orleans is loaded, so we'll be back. We haven't even hit loaded Karr, or prospect-laden programs such as Brother Martin, Marrero Archbishop Shaw and Marrero John Ehret yet.
Meanwhile, LSU spread its wings well away from Louisiana on the recruiting trail:
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- By the middle of August camp, free safety Eric Reid was the only returning starter in LSU's vaunted secondary.
After Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the team, Reid, the junior free safety from Geismar, became the elder statesman and responded with a solid, 91-tackle, two-interception season during which he was the Tigers' unquestioned leader in the secondary and became a consensus All-American.
His end of the bargain held up, Reid announced his decision Friday to leave LSU for the NFL. He wasn't the only one.
In a mild surprise, junior cornerback Tharold Simon also declared for the draft after leading the team with four interceptions and 13 passes defended. A first-year starter in 2012, he was a key piece to the LSU secondary in 2011 as the fifth defensive back whose presence allowed the Tigers to use Mathieu as a nickel back.
With their departures, all six of LSU's primary defensive backs on the 2011 team -- Simon, Reid, Mathieu, cornerback Morris Claiborne, safety Brandon Taylor and dime back Ron Brooks -- probably will be on NFL rosters next season.
Regardless, LSU looks to be in better shape next season than it was entering 2012. Where only two of the top six DBs returned for the 2012 season, the Tigers should still have four of their top six back next season.
Junior strong safety Craig Loston probably will return for his senior year and starting cornerback Jalen Mills, nickel back Jalen Collins and dime back Micah Eugene were all freshmen.
That bodes well for the Tigers' secondary, which outperformed expectations most of the year, given that Mathieu's departure forced LSU to have to start a true freshman, Mills, in his place. The Tigers did struggle down the stretch, allowing four straight 300-yard passing games to finish the season.
Developing young talent will be crucial this offseason. Ronald Martin, Eugene, Corey Thompson and Jerqwinick Sandolph are young safeties who might vie for Reid's free safety spot. LSU has one 2013 recruit committed, Jeremy Cutrer. But LSU is pursuing more, including ESPN 150 safety Priest Willis.
At cornerback, Collins figures to replace Mills and LSU also returns Dwayne Thomas and Derrick Raymond and has a talented class of cornerbacks coming on signing day, including three four-star prospects -- Jeryl Brazil, Tre'Davious White and Rickey Jefferson -- and three-star Rashard Robinson.
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AP Photo/Bill HaberCraig Loston will have to step into a leadership role with the departures of Eric Reid and Tharold Simon.
His end of the bargain held up, Reid announced his decision Friday to leave LSU for the NFL. He wasn't the only one.
In a mild surprise, junior cornerback Tharold Simon also declared for the draft after leading the team with four interceptions and 13 passes defended. A first-year starter in 2012, he was a key piece to the LSU secondary in 2011 as the fifth defensive back whose presence allowed the Tigers to use Mathieu as a nickel back.
With their departures, all six of LSU's primary defensive backs on the 2011 team -- Simon, Reid, Mathieu, cornerback Morris Claiborne, safety Brandon Taylor and dime back Ron Brooks -- probably will be on NFL rosters next season.
Regardless, LSU looks to be in better shape next season than it was entering 2012. Where only two of the top six DBs returned for the 2012 season, the Tigers should still have four of their top six back next season.
Junior strong safety Craig Loston probably will return for his senior year and starting cornerback Jalen Mills, nickel back Jalen Collins and dime back Micah Eugene were all freshmen.
That bodes well for the Tigers' secondary, which outperformed expectations most of the year, given that Mathieu's departure forced LSU to have to start a true freshman, Mills, in his place. The Tigers did struggle down the stretch, allowing four straight 300-yard passing games to finish the season.
Developing young talent will be crucial this offseason. Ronald Martin, Eugene, Corey Thompson and Jerqwinick Sandolph are young safeties who might vie for Reid's free safety spot. LSU has one 2013 recruit committed, Jeremy Cutrer. But LSU is pursuing more, including ESPN 150 safety Priest Willis.
At cornerback, Collins figures to replace Mills and LSU also returns Dwayne Thomas and Derrick Raymond and has a talented class of cornerbacks coming on signing day, including three four-star prospects -- Jeryl Brazil, Tre'Davious White and Rickey Jefferson -- and three-star Rashard Robinson.
At this point, it's become a bit of a calling card for LSU to rule the roost of major college football by locking down the high school elite within the small but talented state of Louisiana. It's no coincidence the Tigers have risen to national prominence in the decade since they started keeping the vast majority of the state's elite players at home.
But it has also been well-documented in this space that LSU is a national brand and a name-brand program now more than ever. Eleven of the Tigers' 12 games this season ran on national television, which puts the program in front of more recruits than ever before. You can see the evidence in the staggering 13 out-of-state commits in this year's recruiting class. Distance just isn't the factor it used to be, as players from as far away as California, Illinois, Nebraska and North Carolina are slated to join up with the Tigers.
With that in mind, what are some non-Louisiana names you can expect to hear associated with LSU in the next year?
But it has also been well-documented in this space that LSU is a national brand and a name-brand program now more than ever. Eleven of the Tigers' 12 games this season ran on national television, which puts the program in front of more recruits than ever before. You can see the evidence in the staggering 13 out-of-state commits in this year's recruiting class. Distance just isn't the factor it used to be, as players from as far away as California, Illinois, Nebraska and North Carolina are slated to join up with the Tigers.
With that in mind, what are some non-Louisiana names you can expect to hear associated with LSU in the next year?
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LSU commit Jeryl Brazil gets jersey, win 
October, 15, 2012
10/15/12
9:58
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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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GeauxTigerNation recruiting writer David Helman is back with another GeauxTigerNation mailbag, taking questions about the Tigers' recruiting efforts this year.
From Alex in New Orleans: First it was Alex Hurst to get nicked up along the offensive line, and now Chris Faulk has a severe injury. Has LSU recruited the depth there to withstand all the injuries?
It certainly looks good that offensive tackle Vadal Alexander was LSU's highest-rated recruit for 2012, doesn't it? On top of that, Alexander was an early enrollee in January, which showcases how important it can be to get your most talented recruits onto campus as soon as possible. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound freshman has been working out and learning the playbook since the week after the national championship game. If Hurst can't stay healthy, or if the big senior moves to left tackle to replace Faulk, Alexander seems like a likely candidate to step onto the starting line.
From Alex in New Orleans: First it was Alex Hurst to get nicked up along the offensive line, and now Chris Faulk has a severe injury. Has LSU recruited the depth there to withstand all the injuries?
It certainly looks good that offensive tackle Vadal Alexander was LSU's highest-rated recruit for 2012, doesn't it? On top of that, Alexander was an early enrollee in January, which showcases how important it can be to get your most talented recruits onto campus as soon as possible. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound freshman has been working out and learning the playbook since the week after the national championship game. If Hurst can't stay healthy, or if the big senior moves to left tackle to replace Faulk, Alexander seems like a likely candidate to step onto the starting line.
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DB Rashard Robinson: "LSU felt like home"
August, 1, 2012
8/01/12
10:46
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By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
When three-star defensive back Rashard Robinson (Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely) took his latest unofficial visit to LSU he wanted to see if the program was truly the best fit for him.
And after a long day with coaches and players from the program, the 6-foot-2, 165-pound senior will head back on plane Wednesday as the 22nd commitment in the class of 2013 for LSU.
"LSU felt like home to me and it was that comfort level that allowed me to make the commitment," Robinson said. "The situation there is very good because god forbid I get injured it's a place that I can spend the next 4-5 years and know that they have an academic plan for all of their student athletes."
And after a long day with coaches and players from the program, the 6-foot-2, 165-pound senior will head back on plane Wednesday as the 22nd commitment in the class of 2013 for LSU.
"LSU felt like home to me and it was that comfort level that allowed me to make the commitment," Robinson said. "The situation there is very good because god forbid I get injured it's a place that I can spend the next 4-5 years and know that they have an academic plan for all of their student athletes."
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LSU added its 22nd commitment of the 2013 recruiting class Tuesday when Rashard Robinson (Pompano Beach, Fla./Ely), a three-star cornerback from committed.
Robinson gave LSU its third cornerback and fifth defensive back of the class. He also continues a line of Ely players to LSU that includes 2011 first-round NFL draft pick Patrick Peterson, also a cornerback, and his younger brother, incoming freshman Avery Johnson.
Robinson, a tall (6-foot-2) and slender (160-pound) corner, was high on LSU's wish list throughout the recruiting process. He impressed with a 4.33 40-yard dash (hand-timed) at the LSU camp in July and many thought he would commit there. He did not, but returned to Baton Rouge Tuesday with his parents, where he committed.
Robinson also had offers from Arkansas, Florida State and Miami, among others.
Robinson gave LSU its third cornerback and fifth defensive back of the class. He also continues a line of Ely players to LSU that includes 2011 first-round NFL draft pick Patrick Peterson, also a cornerback, and his younger brother, incoming freshman Avery Johnson.
Robinson, a tall (6-foot-2) and slender (160-pound) corner, was high on LSU's wish list throughout the recruiting process. He impressed with a 4.33 40-yard dash (hand-timed) at the LSU camp in July and many thought he would commit there. He did not, but returned to Baton Rouge Tuesday with his parents, where he committed.
Robinson also had offers from Arkansas, Florida State and Miami, among others.
LSU caps off torrid summer of recruiting
July, 31, 2012
7/31/12
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By
David Helman | ESPN.com
The recruiting process is beginning earlier and earlier. That shouldn't be a surprise at this point. If it is, just consult any of LSU's three commitments for the class of 2014 -- all of whom pledged to the Tigers within the last month. Better yet, read up on Dylan Moses (Baton Rouge, La./LSU Laboratory), the eighth grader who holds a scholarship offer from LSU.
And yet, as quickly as schools are filling recruiting classes these days, that doesn't account for the pace at which the Tigers are filling this 2013 class. On the last day of July, LSU has secured 21 commitments for 2013 -- just a mere six months before national signing day in February. After a relatively slow start to the year, LSU has accrued a dozen pledges since May. And with summer recruiting camps serving as an impetus for early commitments, the Tigers have added four names to their class in both June and July this year. If you include the early birds for 2014, LSU has picked up seven commitments in the last 31 days.
This kind of production certainly isn't unheard of. Up in Big Ten country, Michigan has secured commitments from 23 of its 25 possible additions for 2013. But it's certainly a new situation for LSU during Les Miles' tenure. Commitment announcements are still expected from LSU targets like Greg Gilmore (Hope Mills, N.C./South View) before the season starts, so the Tigers could have as few as two or three spots remaining by September.
And yet, as quickly as schools are filling recruiting classes these days, that doesn't account for the pace at which the Tigers are filling this 2013 class. On the last day of July, LSU has secured 21 commitments for 2013 -- just a mere six months before national signing day in February. After a relatively slow start to the year, LSU has accrued a dozen pledges since May. And with summer recruiting camps serving as an impetus for early commitments, the Tigers have added four names to their class in both June and July this year. If you include the early birds for 2014, LSU has picked up seven commitments in the last 31 days.
This kind of production certainly isn't unheard of. Up in Big Ten country, Michigan has secured commitments from 23 of its 25 possible additions for 2013. But it's certainly a new situation for LSU during Les Miles' tenure. Commitment announcements are still expected from LSU targets like Greg Gilmore (Hope Mills, N.C./South View) before the season starts, so the Tigers could have as few as two or three spots remaining by September.
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GTN writers Gary Laney and David Helman discuss issues around LSU football.
Question: ESPNU has been showing both LSU-Alabama games from last season. Looking back at them, what strikes you the most in retrospect?
Gary Laney: Just how badly the LSU offensive line was handled by the Alabama front. The Crimson Tide defense didn't just beat the LSU offensive line, they embarrassed the Tigers' front.
Question: ESPNU has been showing both LSU-Alabama games from last season. Looking back at them, what strikes you the most in retrospect?
Gary Laney: Just how badly the LSU offensive line was handled by the Alabama front. The Crimson Tide defense didn't just beat the LSU offensive line, they embarrassed the Tigers' front.
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With SEC Media Days taking over the news cycle in Hoover, Ala., and LSU hosting a recruiting camp back in Baton Rouge, there was too much happening around LSU football for one person to keep track of. GeauxTigerNation's Gary Laney took the trip east to cover the Tigers' season-opening media session, while David Helman stayed on campus to scope out the talent of the future.
In the process, they picked up a few questions about what the other saw during the week.
David Helman: OK, Gary. Apparently Zach Mettenberger is the key to LSU's 2012 season (insightful analysis, I know). With the entirety of the college football media clamoring for his attention and asking him questions about his abilities, how did the "Mettsiah" handle it all? Did he show off the poise you'd expect from a national championship caliber quarterback?
In the process, they picked up a few questions about what the other saw during the week.
David Helman: OK, Gary. Apparently Zach Mettenberger is the key to LSU's 2012 season (insightful analysis, I know). With the entirety of the college football media clamoring for his attention and asking him questions about his abilities, how did the "Mettsiah" handle it all? Did he show off the poise you'd expect from a national championship caliber quarterback?
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Tuesday was easily the hottest day of LSU's camp marathon this July.
Many of the same faces that have starred since Saturday were still in attendance, although several big names concluded their trips after a lengthy visit. Rashard Robinson was chief among them, as he took off back to Florida after a two-day workout and campus visit with the Tigers.
By this point in the camp -- with just a half day remaining Wednesday -- it's safe to say that most of LSU's out of state visitors had left town. One of the out-of-towners who took off was Damon Webb (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech), but he hung around long enough to pick up a scholarship offer from Les Miles. More on that here.
Many of the same faces that have starred since Saturday were still in attendance, although several big names concluded their trips after a lengthy visit. Rashard Robinson was chief among them, as he took off back to Florida after a two-day workout and campus visit with the Tigers.
By this point in the camp -- with just a half day remaining Wednesday -- it's safe to say that most of LSU's out of state visitors had left town. One of the out-of-towners who took off was Damon Webb (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech), but he hung around long enough to pick up a scholarship offer from Les Miles. More on that here.
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Rashard Robinson (Pompano Beach, Fla./Ely Blanche) wasn't a hard guy to identify upon arrival at LSU's July camp Sunday afternoon.
Decked out in gray Under Armour track clothes, the Florida native was the giant blur moving up and down LSU's indoor field during pre-camp workouts. Robinson, who checks in at an unusually large 6-foot-2 for a cornerback, blitzed past onlookers as he ran the 40-yard dash for LSU coaches. Although his runs were hand-timed, he clocked in with times of 4.33 and 4.41 -- pretty quick, right?
Not quick enough for Robinson, apparently.
Decked out in gray Under Armour track clothes, the Florida native was the giant blur moving up and down LSU's indoor field during pre-camp workouts. Robinson, who checks in at an unusually large 6-foot-2 for a cornerback, blitzed past onlookers as he ran the 40-yard dash for LSU coaches. Although his runs were hand-timed, he clocked in with times of 4.33 and 4.41 -- pretty quick, right?
Not quick enough for Robinson, apparently.
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Whoever labeled summer as a dead period for sports clearly didn't follow recruiting.
Only last week we saw many of the top recruits in the nation descend on The Opening in Oregon. The road trip will continue for quite a few this weekend, as LSU's second and final recruiting camp of the summer is set to begin this Sunday and run until July 18. While it won't draw quite as large a talent pool as a national event like The Opening, expect there to be quite an impressive guest list when the Tigers' attendees get to Baton Rouge.
The camp comes at just the right time, too. It's been a whopping 10 days since the Tigers picked up their most recent commitment in defensive end Lewis Neal (Wilson, N.C./James B. Hunt) and almost two weeks since tight end DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) added his name to the class. Considering the break neck speed at which LSU has been picking up commitments since May (11 since May 16), that feels like quite a wait.
Only last week we saw many of the top recruits in the nation descend on The Opening in Oregon. The road trip will continue for quite a few this weekend, as LSU's second and final recruiting camp of the summer is set to begin this Sunday and run until July 18. While it won't draw quite as large a talent pool as a national event like The Opening, expect there to be quite an impressive guest list when the Tigers' attendees get to Baton Rouge.
The camp comes at just the right time, too. It's been a whopping 10 days since the Tigers picked up their most recent commitment in defensive end Lewis Neal (Wilson, N.C./James B. Hunt) and almost two weeks since tight end DeSean Smith (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) added his name to the class. Considering the break neck speed at which LSU has been picking up commitments since May (11 since May 16), that feels like quite a wait.
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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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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