LSU Tigers: Tim Williams
'U-High' roster unusually loaded with talent
April, 25, 2013
Apr 25
10:00
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- While University Lab School has a solid athletic tradition and some good football history -- Louisiana Class 1A state champions in 1974 and 1988, and a smattering of college and pro players like Brad Banta and Brian Kinchen -- it isn't necessarily on the state's "A" list of football powers.
Schools like John Curtis and Evangel, which eliminated the Cubs from last year's Class 2A playoffs in the semifinals, have won more championships and perhaps have a longer list of past stars.
Few, however, can match the star power now going through the small, academically rigorous school located on LSU's campus.
A year after defensive end Tim Williams left "U-High," as locals call it, for Alabama as ESPN's top-rated player out of Louisiana, the Cubs produced Garrett Brumfield, the ESPN 150 defensive end who committed to LSU over the weekend.
The trend will continue in upcoming years. Nick Brossette, will be among the top running backs in the country in the 2015 class, and all eyes are on Class of 2017 super prospect Dylan Moses, who made national news when he was offered by LSU in the summer before his eighth-grade year. He subsequently has earned offers from Alabama and Florida. Moses has yet to play his first game at University's high school team, yet people have long been speculating where he'll play in college.
U-High, always the strong academic school with a competitive football program, is suddenly a hotbed.
- Garrett Brumfield
- Offensive guard
- 2014
- Committed: LSU
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| 4 | | 83 | Baton Rouge, LA |
Few, however, can match the star power now going through the small, academically rigorous school located on LSU's campus.
A year after defensive end Tim Williams left "U-High," as locals call it, for Alabama as ESPN's top-rated player out of Louisiana, the Cubs produced Garrett Brumfield, the ESPN 150 defensive end who committed to LSU over the weekend.
The trend will continue in upcoming years. Nick Brossette, will be among the top running backs in the country in the 2015 class, and all eyes are on Class of 2017 super prospect Dylan Moses, who made national news when he was offered by LSU in the summer before his eighth-grade year. He subsequently has earned offers from Alabama and Florida. Moses has yet to play his first game at University's high school team, yet people have long been speculating where he'll play in college.
U-High, always the strong academic school with a competitive football program, is suddenly a hotbed.
BATON ROUGE -- Meet the artist, Garrett Brumfield (Baton Rouge, La./University Laboratory School).
It's easy to find online, the video of LSU's latest football commitment using some spray paint and a handful of improvised tools to create what he calls his "space painting."
It's pretty impressive for a high school junior and makes one wonder, is he going to be the rare football-playing art major at LSU?
Not at all.
It's easy to find online, the video of LSU's latest football commitment using some spray paint and a handful of improvised tools to create what he calls his "space painting."
It's pretty impressive for a high school junior and makes one wonder, is he going to be the rare football-playing art major at LSU?
Not at all.
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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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Mailbag: In defense of Zach Mettenberger
January, 17, 2013
Jan 17
9:30
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
We had such a great chat Tuesday that a bunch of questions remained unanswered when I ran out of time. I take some of them on here:
From Justin in St. Louis: When do you think people will finally realize that Zach Mettenberger is a good QB? In all the games I watched this season, when he was protected, he was on it. Also, when he's on, he's on. Example: Second half of the Alabama game.
Gary Laney: I also like Mettenberger Justin and will get called a homer by some for saying that. I do think there were issues with the passing game, but they were mostly systemic and sometimes resulted in Mettenberger's flaws sticking out more and made him sometimes take blame for things that weren't necessarily his fault.
From Justin in St. Louis: When do you think people will finally realize that Zach Mettenberger is a good QB? In all the games I watched this season, when he was protected, he was on it. Also, when he's on, he's on. Example: Second half of the Alabama game.
Gary Laney: I also like Mettenberger Justin and will get called a homer by some for saying that. I do think there were issues with the passing game, but they were mostly systemic and sometimes resulted in Mettenberger's flaws sticking out more and made him sometimes take blame for things that weren't necessarily his fault.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- It didn't take long in the recruiting process before it began to seem like LSU would not keep its most local target on campus.
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Bama leads for No. 5 DE after visit
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
11:55
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama was the first school to start showing interest in ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams (Baton Rouge, La./University Lab) back when he was a freshman. Now, three years later, the Crimson Tide hosted Williams on his first official visit over the weekend.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU took a step forward in its recruiting process without adding a single player to its 2013 class over the weekend.
That's because LSU took a break from the 2013 grind by hosting its big, in-state junior day, "Boys in the Boot," a one-day gathering of the state's top 2014 prospect that serves as a primer to the recruiting process for the up-and-comers.
A couple of Tiger prospects brought the process to (perhaps) a conclusion by committing.
That's because LSU took a break from the 2013 grind by hosting its big, in-state junior day, "Boys in the Boot," a one-day gathering of the state's top 2014 prospect that serves as a primer to the recruiting process for the up-and-comers.
A couple of Tiger prospects brought the process to (perhaps) a conclusion by committing.
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'Boys from the Boot' have top 2014 players
January, 11, 2013
Jan 11
8:00
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Ask any long-time observer of Louisiana football and they'll tell you that the Class of 2014 will be a special one in the state.
Headlined by running back Leonard Fournette, offensive tackle Cameron Robinson and safety Laurence "Hootie" Jones, is expected to be a banner year for Louisiana, which is already a normally recruit-rich state.
LSU tries to get a jump start on its in-state recruiting every year with its "Boys from the Boot" event, an unofficial visit day for rising seniors that serves as a kickoff to the heart of the recruiting process for them.
Headlined by running back Leonard Fournette, offensive tackle Cameron Robinson and safety Laurence "Hootie" Jones, is expected to be a banner year for Louisiana, which is already a normally recruit-rich state.
LSU tries to get a jump start on its in-state recruiting every year with its "Boys from the Boot" event, an unofficial visit day for rising seniors that serves as a kickoff to the heart of the recruiting process for them.
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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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BATON ROUGE, La. -- When LSU got a commitment from athlete Kendell Beckwith at the Under Armor All-American game last week, it looked like the Tigers had secured the top player in Louisiana.
Think again.
The new ESPN 150/300 and team rankings came out, and while the Tigers remained at the same spot, No. 8, in the team rankings, the player rankings had some significant shuffling.
Think again.
The new ESPN 150/300 and team rankings came out, and while the Tigers remained at the same spot, No. 8, in the team rankings, the player rankings had some significant shuffling.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Around the nation, and to those who follow LSU from an arm's length, the news that trickled out from Nicholson Drive in the last week was alarming.
The Tigers lost nine, count them, nine underclassmen to the NFL draft over the weekend, leaving the defense in a rebuilding mode and their deep stable of running backs an injury away from being dangerously thin.
It was called a mass exodus. Best we can tell, it set the record for the number of underclassmen leaving one school early for the NFL. Before they left, LSU figured to have 10 defensive starters back. After the early exits, it was down to four.
But understand this: It didn't shock those close to the program.
The Tigers lost nine, count them, nine underclassmen to the NFL draft over the weekend, leaving the defense in a rebuilding mode and their deep stable of running backs an injury away from being dangerously thin.
It was called a mass exodus. Best we can tell, it set the record for the number of underclassmen leaving one school early for the NFL. Before they left, LSU figured to have 10 defensive starters back. After the early exits, it was down to four.
But understand this: It didn't shock those close to the program.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Reports and rumors circulated Tuesday that ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams (Baton Rouge, La./University Lab) would make an announcement Friday on local radio regarding where he was going to school.
Turns out, Williams had news Tuesday, but not the news that was circulating.
Turns out, Williams had news Tuesday, but not the news that was circulating.
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With trio of departures, LSU DL has holes
January, 7, 2013
Jan 7
8:00
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- It looks like LSU will be starting over on the defensive line, as expected.
Sources told ESPN's Joe Schad that Tigers junior defensive linemen Sam Montgomery, Barkevious Mingo and Bennie Logan will all leave the Tigers a year early for the NFL draft. Their departures will increase LSU's growing list of defections to eight, but they are hardly the most surprising on the list.
All three have been projected as first-round picks since last spring, so the feeling for most of the 2012 season was that it would be the last for the trio of juniors. With senior Josh Downs holding down the fourth starting defensive line spot for most of the season at defensive tackle next to Logan, that means LSU will be looking to break in an entirely new starting defensive line next season.
Sources told ESPN's Joe Schad that Tigers junior defensive linemen Sam Montgomery, Barkevious Mingo and Bennie Logan will all leave the Tigers a year early for the NFL draft. Their departures will increase LSU's growing list of defections to eight, but they are hardly the most surprising on the list.
All three have been projected as first-round picks since last spring, so the feeling for most of the 2012 season was that it would be the last for the trio of juniors. With senior Josh Downs holding down the fourth starting defensive line spot for most of the season at defensive tackle next to Logan, that means LSU will be looking to break in an entirely new starting defensive line next season.
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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.
[+] Enlarge
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.
DL Williams leans on officials for decision
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
7:39
PM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- As ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams (Baton Rouge, La./ University Lab) nears national signing day, all that remains between him and choosing a school is a few official visits.
Up first is a trip to Alabama on January 11, Miami on the 18th and Florida State on the 25th. Williams will decide whether or not to take an official to LSU or Texas A&M at some point, too.
Among his finalists, it seems all have a common thread.
Up first is a trip to Alabama on January 11, Miami on the 18th and Florida State on the 25th. Williams will decide whether or not to take an official to LSU or Texas A&M at some point, too.
Among his finalists, it seems all have a common thread.
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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