Higher win/loss ratios, conference championships, BCS bowls, and NCs tend to up draft status which relates to more money... between ND, Indiana and LSU, that potential is greater at LSU.
Agree but, once a Tiger, always a Tiger. And playing in LA at Tiger Stadium and being an LSU guy can't be beat. Not at ND, not at Vandy, and in my humble opinion, not anywhere else. And I'm sure the others sell him on the same point but we Tiger fans know the difference!
I don't think it necessarily ups draft status.. Yes, sometimes it can give you much greater exposure, but these guys all get dissected and scouted by everyone across the league. If you're at a BCS conference school you're going to be noticed. Tracy Porter was a 2nd round corner out of Indiana for example. I'm all for Gunner coming here and I do agree wholeheartedly Tiger Stadium blows away almost all other venues, but I don't think he's guaranteed to get a better draft spot by coming to LSU over say ND. He'll definitely face better defenses in the SEC and that would likely help him transition as a pro, though.
In terms of exposure, unless he's choosing between some place like ULM or Southern Miss him attending LSU isn't going to increase or decrease his draft status. That's just silly to think otherwise. NFL scouts are not fans who evaluate talent from their couches at home. They have up-close and personal access and they scour the country for talent, pulling from places like Bloomburg and Towson as well as LSU and Notre Dame. If' you're good, they're going to find you no matter where you play. A kid should choose a school because that's where he feels most comfortable. They're 18 and living away from home for the first time with some serious expectations and responsibility. How you line up in the 2015 NFL Draft is not entering the equation right now.
Gunner needs to do what's best for himself. I understand parents are influencial, but he'll be 18 (or is he?). He needs to seperate and become his own person. Whether it be in baton rouge or wherever. Players do it a lot. Barksdale came all the way from michigan. Ware is from ohio. People at LSU are very friendly, he can make friends here. The coaching staff will take care of him, and the players will make him feel at home. There is no experience like playing for LSU. Winning tradition, great program. Going to be a national title contender for a long time. Notre dame is nice, but when's the last time they were relevant? The kid is a winner, and here he'll be able to show that. We have a great running game to support him, our offensive line is amazing, and We'll get better recievers with improved QB play. Plus our special teams and defense can bail him out.
I don't disagree with anything you've said, but let's also realize that choosing your college is a life decision, not merely a football decision. Other opportunities are there that provide perhaps to him better life options than does LSU. I think the Tigers are in great shape from a football perspective with Gunner, but life is not all about football and being around your family is a big deal to many people. I'll be happy for him whatever decision he makes because in the end he's going to do what he feels will be best for him in his life and that encompasses more than just his football life -- as it should. :geaux:
I understand what you're saying, but college is about going out on your own, meeting new people, experiencing different things. I know when i got to college as a freshmen i was scared to death living on my own, so much responsibility and hardly anyone to talk to. After my first week, I made a lot of new friends. experienced a whole new world and i love it. keeping in touch with family is important, but no matter where you're at, you've got to go out on your own.
Totally agreed, my friend. I hope Gunner makes the best decision for his life in which college he chooses. And hopefully that is LSU!
If he really announcing tomorrow, I am hoping something would leak out tonight or early in the morning...who knows, I am just ready for it to be over....and when it is over I think we will be happy with where he chooses to go.
