Sam Gibson out of Bama is a 4*. The LA and AL thing was blown out of proportion over the last couple of years just because of the coaches involved. LSU has targeted and taken recruits out of AL before and the staff continues to look into their recruiting grounds for talent and 2 of them happened to be living in Alabama this year. None of the guys LSU and Bama have taken from each other are considered to be must get athletes in their respective states.
Taking recruits from other states is bigger to the fans. Each school is always going to get the majority in their own state and a few will always go elsewhere. No situation is ever equal - from playing time, to scheme, to an individual player's preference.
My friend and customer, the Bama insider (of sorts) and I were talking today at the cafe about recruiting. I told him that one of the "themes" in LSU recruiting the last two years was that Les Miles was really looking for good character in the people he is actively recruiting. I think it's a natural consequence of the Ryan Perrilloux fiasco that culminated last year. Remember now, that he wasn't the only one involved in team disruption. Two other backups were dismissed from the team for their role in a rage that ended up with damage to someone's car. There is rumor that others on the team were distracted by the thug lifestyle. All of this was not made public and rightly so...it's a private team matter and should be kept that way. But the issue of character is more important to the staff now more than ever. My Bama friend was scratching his head about coach Saban oversigning players and having to "cut" them by not renewing their scholarships etc. as well as some real good players transferring elsewhere. We both kind of thought at the same time that maybe Saban was doing the same thing. He named a couple of people that left Bama who were rumored to be "candidates for the Fullmer cup". We both kind of thought that maybe Saban oversigned TO get rid of some players as opposed to HAVING to get rid of some players because he over signed. Those guys are on probation for five more years and ONE slip up by a selfish player who screws up could be devastating to the program. Maybe Saban has been oversigning as a form of preemption. My friend used to have a series of sporting goods stores around Alabama and I believe he used to sell equipment to the university. One of his stores was in Selma and he knows a lot of coaches there. He said he didn't know anything about Dexter Blackmon, but would call some people there to find out about him and let me know anything. I'll pass any info along.
We're all for LSU 100%, chief. There is more to being a Tiger Fan than blowing sunshine up our chutes.
I love how Coach Miles is recruiting, Coach Miles gets the home state recruits, and when a position is weak he goes out of state and get a pretty good player (Georgia) for the most part. We always recruit the state of Texas well every year. Now since we are getting a few form the state of Alabama it makes it even more better in my books. :geaux:
LB Telvin Smith is now off the board, committed to FSU. Michael Taylor is our best bet IMO and we are tied with Miami right now with Stanford in 3rd.
Jonathan McKnight of River Ridge (JC). What's the story on him, is he a running back or a defensive back & what is his situation recruiting wise?? Is LSU in his plans at all or should I ask if he is in LSU's plans?
He is being looked at for CB and he was at the July Camp. He says that LSU reinforced his offer at the camp but I am not sure if that was before or after we got a commitment from Mathieu. There was an article a day or 2 ago that said that his brother Joe is pushing him to go to LSU.
Thanks for the update. Another question if I may, Looking on Scout & Rivals for him I see only one star on Scout for him & can't find him at all on Rivals.. So is he good , very good, surprise offer or ? Ooops,, found him under Athlete's on Rivals... three star.. ok, forget the question... Thanks again.. What about Curtis Carter ? Looking at the speed factor his is the fastest listed on Rivals of all the athlete's on LSU's list.
