I can tell you from experience that a presidential scholarship to a university in New Orleans did not cover dorm expenses, so unless LSU sweetened the pot because they were athletes, and that may be illegal, why would anyone choose the academic route. Perhaps there are some academic schollys that cover expenses at LSU, but from my experience in New Orleans that wasn't the case. I don't think many people would be willing to give away their scholarship for the good of the team as the old Alabama running back Johnny Musso was reported to have offered to do. Bear Bryant reportedly turned him down and told him to keep his scholarship.
