Gracious. :grin: I wish it would happen but by all accounts it seems as if he is going to wearing a shade or Orange.
Bryant has never, himself, said that he has eliminated LSU no matter how much you think it is, or want it to be, true.
In view of the fact we did not recruit any LBs in 2007 and Baker will likely be our only really impressive this year, you would think we should do a bang up job next year. Our LB corps should start to be looking thin.
Not to say I don't want Bryant, but it's not a big deal if he doesn't come here. Our secondary has a ton of young talent.
I agree there hasn't been a public statement from Bryant stating he's eliminated LSU. In the two threads on this forum I've mentioned where I have heard that from. One, from Michael Langston is is one of the best authorities on high school football players in Florida and two, one of his best friends coaches. There is no given in recruiting. Every signing class brings surprises and disappointments. While hearing from another kids coach isn't as solid of a "word" as anyone would like, Michael's statements are some I can't think of time where he's been wrong. I still think he stays in Florida. We'll all know at lunch time tomorrow.
Other schools still think they have a shot at them, but publicly they've been very firm to LSU. Mike & Sonny both feel they are solid.
Well, we lose Beckwith next year & there are supposed to be several very good LB's in our traditional recruiting region. Assuming we get 3 LBs in this class and convert a safety to LB, our depth chart would still only have 7 LBs going into '09, (2 of which I don't have real high hopes for - Cutrera & Prater) which means we'll probably need to sign 3 again next year. '08 LB Depth Chart Darry Beckwith LB 6-1 230 SR Kelvin Sheppard LB 6-3 223 SO Perry Riley LB 6-1 232 JR Shomari Clemons S 6-1 217 SO Jacob Cutrera LB 6-4 235 JR Ryan Baker FR Kellen Theriot FR Kyle Prater RS*
I think linebacker will sort itself out over time. Personally, my worry is on the line. I agree with earlier comments on this thread and others that overall we will have a great class this year, but we did not do great so far recruiting the O-line, pending Shaw's decision, or the D-line, and games are won in the trenches. If you look at rivals team rankings by position, and look at the o-line, USC, OSU, ND, and Alabama dominated the recruiting this year for OLs. Fast forward 3-4 years, and that will pay off big time, I'll bet. Hopefully, the guys we do sign will blossom.
LSU is loaded at D line, no worries there. On the O line we have quality guys but not nearly as deep, I'd like a couple more high quality guys there.
