What's going on at LSU?

[mshunter77]

They are having a mass exodus of underclassmen. I know some of these guys would leave early because they are first round picks but not all nine of them. Anyone seen the sign for NFL scouts in the window of the strength coach's office. Makes me wonder if there is some internal turmoil going on down on the bayou.

[eSJay]

Their weed supplier is gone.

[Deltamud77]

4 of the 7 have graded out as 1st rounders. 2 of the remaining 3 have kids to support. All grade out in first 4 rounds. The two RBs have been passed on the depth chart. At least one of the guys that declared have stated that Miles is well liked and a father figure to many.

I don't think anything is going on. Although I do think miles is an idiot...but that is not why people are going pro.

[camlock]

4 of the 7 have graded out as 1st rounders. 2 of the remaining 3 have kids to support. All grade out in first 4 rounds. The two RBs have been passed on the depth chart. At least one of the guys that declared have stated that Miles is well liked and a father figure to many.

I don't think anything is going on. Although I do think miles is an idiot...but that is not why people are going pro.

thought there was 10 of them?

And I think they probably all like Les Miles, and certainly the fact they can all make possible life changing financial decisions is surely the overwhelming factor...however it's completely logical for me to believe they realize that while Les Miles and the coaching staff are good men and they love them, they have no reason to stay another year in Baton Rouge in the current system. They've maxed out and feasibly could foresee the same in 2013...I think if they though they could improve personally and win something more, they'd consider staying...at least some of them...this is dang near an entire recruiting class leaving...

might not be "TURMOIL" but it's a picture of something

[camlock]

This list from ESPN...I guess if you don't count Mathieu it's 9...but bet your ass he was contributing in 2013/2014 if not for last run in...so might as well count him as lost for next season for one reason or another...

RB Michael Ford, LSU
DT Bennie Logan, LSU
CB Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU
LB Kevin Minter, LSU
DE Sam Montgomery, LSU
S Eric Reid, LSU
CB Tharold Simon, LSU
RB Spencer Ware, LSU
P Brad Wing, LSU

[Deltamud77]

Mathieu wasn't on the team this past year and was recently arrested again for drugs. Wing was suspended for the bowl game for flunking out.

It tells me that LSU is really talented and is putting more people in the pros in one year than State and Ole Miss have combined in the last 5 years.

I think the reports of LSUs demise are greatly exaggerated. Next year's defense, which is going to be the hardest area hit by those leaving for the pros, will average a 4 star recruit across the board. Moreover, all of them received extensive experience this year except one of the ends.

The offense will be better IMO simply by way of experience. Hill is back, Blue is back, Landry is back, Mett is back, all but one starting lineman for 10 of the 12 games are back. LSU is also bringing in one of their best classes ever with players that will contribute on both sides of the ball.

However, I could see LSU dropping a more games because the schedule is brutal. Right now they have to play 4 teams that will be ranked in the pre-season Top 10 (aTm, Bama (on the road), UGA (on the road) and FL). They also open the season against TCU in Dallas.

[Deltamud77]

Heard Brad Edwards of ESPN on the Bo Bounds show this morning. He commented briefly on the departures from LSU. His sense was that LSU never recovered from the butt kicking it took from Bama in the BCSCG and this is just a symptom of that loss. He went on to insinuate that LSU is on the decline and the next two years would be very interesting.

In my opinion, he is the best college football commentator in the country. He just so happens to be from Jackson and a Bama grad. That being said, him saying this about LSU makes me a touch worried if I am completely honest.

I guess we will see. It has been a good ride if it is over. Oh well.

[camlock]

I think the reports of LSUs demise are greatly exaggerated.

I don't disagree at all...I don't think there is a demise nor do I think the is an exodus with a direct correlation to any turmoil or specific problem....BUT to convince yourself that many junior players all had specific coinciding scenarios (including personal trouble) that would put them leaving early under any circumstance with no choice or reason to stay is naive. If the program at LSU was peachy and hunky dory and promoting any sense or growth or development there would be some finding positive risk/reward in a senior season or a 4th year...as it is, there is apparently not enough reason to stay. And again, not saying they hate LSU, or coaches, or they are jump to finding a reason to get out...but this many major college players haven't found a reason to stay and be in the program any longer either...that would bother me if I were a fan...

[Deltamud77]

Cam, I agree. I think they think there is no reason to stay with Bama being what they are. Problem is, everyone else is in the same boat too...they just don't have as many players that have NFL ability that can leave.

[mshunter77]

Forgot where I saw it or who it was but there were some experts talking about how hard it is to turn the momentum of a program once it starts going down. LSU was one that they were talking about that could possibly be heading down that road if they do not regain some momentum this next season. I agree that many of these players will be high draft picks and I guess now with the new rookie wage scale there is not as much reason to stay another year to try and move up a few spots. I just think this is coming at a bad time for them with Bama being what they are now and looks like Texas A&M is on the rise as long as Manziel is not a one hit wonder, which I don't think he is.

[Deltamud77]

LSU barely made it to a bowl in 2008...one year after winning the national title. LSU won 10 games this year after losing their best player (Honeybadger) in summer ball, the best o-lineman (first game of season), their best running back (Alfred Blue in 3rd game) in addition to losing seniors off of the team that won the SEC last year.

The commentators may be right...LSU may not be a yearly national title contender for a while. Who knows? The same commentators said that it was over in 2008 as well. So did I. Guess what? We were wrong.

[mshunter77]

Lol, you seem to think it is over every year. I know they have the talent that offensive line has a chance to be special with the experience those two freshman got this year and maybe it will click for Mettenberger next year, that along with a better OL would make the offense much better and pick up the slack of losing all of those players from the defense. Kind of like Bama this year. I still think next year will be crucial for LSU. I don't think they will fall to a yearly 7 or 8 win team but I do think they could possibly fall from being one of the teams mentioned as a title contender every year as they have been for a while.