I was curious if anyone could remember a legitimate recruiting bust for LSU over the last 5-6 years. It was mentioned in another topic once, but I can't think of any recruit I would consider a "bust" for LSU for some time now. I really think that has been one of the biggest contributors to LSU's success this decade. It's great to have highly ranked classes, but if a coaching staff starts to put too much trust into recruiting rankings for players, they start to pick overated players over quality players that just don't get the publicity. The closest I could come up w/ was Justin Vincent, purely b/c of his lack of production after his freshman year, but then I don't think you can just disregard how great that year was for him. I'm also not really talking about troubled players (Perrilloux, Ceicel Collins, etc.), althought I wouldn't say there were many of those kinds either. I'm just really trying to think of someone that just never played up to the expectations coming out of high school.
The one that comes to mind is that offensive lineman that Saban recruited that never really panned out. Can't remember his name.
If your criteria for a bust is highly rated 4 and 5 star players not panning out, we have quite a few. No school is immune from recruits who don't live up to expectations. There was a couple topics on this a while back that covered our 2005 and 2006 classes. The list is longer than you think.
Xavier Carter. Tremendous bust. Almost epic proportions. I think he was top 3 player in the nation that year in recruiting. Was recruited as a receiver and return man. Could not do anything as far as receiver goes and was very disappointing even as a return man with Trindon Holliday type speed.
Amp Lee, although the bust status was aided by injury. While XC and AL were busts, there are several examples of the opposite, too, i.e. Hester. It probably all washes out in the end if the recruiters are good talent evaluators, which they have proven to be.
Wasn't he from California ? He was huge and I don't believe he ever started and I don't even recall him playing much.
This is a list of relatively big name guys on the scene for that year. I'm really only listing Skill positions (some exceptions) because I don't remember all the linemen. 2003 Amp Hill - pushing for a starting position (Devery Henderson's spot) as a freshmen in 2003, tore his ACL and was never the same... eventually transfered. Barrington Edwards - said to be the best RB recruit for LSU by many in 2003. Played special teams in Freshman year and transferred to UNC where he had a not so great career. 2004 Xavier Carter - See post above Marlon Favorite - for the hype I remember being around this kid, he hasn't been as dominant as projected. 2005 RJF - I know he played a big part in the 07 championship games, but for the most part hasn't been very dominant in regular season games he has played in. These are just of the top of my head. I'm sure there are more, and I really can't label anyone from 06 on because they haven't had the opportunity to impress or not impress us for the most part. Have to wait till their careers are over or almost over at LSU.
Palm Bay, Florida. We thought LSU was going to have the best WR corps in the country with Amp Hill, Early Doucet and Buster Davis coming in as well. Amp Hill's career came to an abrupt end with a severe knee injury in his first Spring practice. He was destined for greatness possibly. We still had arguably the best WR corps even without those 2 guys.
well I think I can say Jared Mitchell hasn't lived up to the hype in football. But i can handle that because of the way he has played on the diamond.
