Saban gets inside story on freshmen

MLUTiger · Aug 9, 2001

By Jim Kleinpeter
Staff writer/The Times-Picayune

Baton Rouge -- Even when Mother Nature threw a curveball to the LSU football freshmen, they didn't get flustered.

Rain forced this season's incoming Tigers into the indoor practice facility shortly after the first practice of their college career began. Coach Nick Saban still liked what he saw.

"It was disappointing that we had to come inside," Saban said. "It's really important for these kids to get into a comfort zone. They have a lot of anxiety. Every drill is a new drill, every call a new call, every key a new key.

"What I liked about this group was I didn't see anyone getting frustrated about the coaching they were getting or the mistakes they were making. They had a real good attitude about learning what they were going to do."

The Tigers also practiced Tuesday night, and will practice twice more today before breaking until Saturday.

Saban said he was especially pleased with the quality of the linemen who reported. This season's class was a big upgrade over his first recruiting class.

Five players reported at 280 pounds or more, led by offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth (6-7, 315) and Steve Arflin (6-4, 310), and defensive lineman Marquise Hill (6-7, 290).

"That was probably the one thing we were severely lacking in -- quality linemen," Saban said. "Those positions that take the most time to contribute to a team, but it's good to have those kind of size guys to develop."

WALKING ON: Six of the freshmen who reported are non-scholarship players. Among them are former Jesuit quarterback Perrin Rittner, and John Curtis defensive back Corey Meredith. Two other newcomers are junior-college transfers.

Rittner was the only quarterback attending freshman-only drills. Signee Rick Clausen enrolled in December and went through spring practice with the varsity. He will report with the rest of the squad Thursday.

Defensive back Brad Cook and center Ryan Phillips, both of Baton Rouge, and tight ends Seth Wilson of Winter Haven, Fla., and Jacob Guidry of St. Martinville are the other walk-ons.

LATEST COMMITMENT: Running back Justin Vincent of Barbe High in Lake Charles has become the eighth player to commit to LSU before his senior season.

Vincent, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, was a Class 5A All-State selection last season. He rushed rushed for 1,317 yards on 216 carries, an average of 6.1 yards per carry, with 19 touchdowns. He caught 22 passes for 448 yards on a 12-2 team. Vincent, who also plays cornerback, has the necessary core grades and ACT test score to become eligible as a freshman. He has been timed at 4.4 seconds for 40 yards.

"I really loved the LSU coaches," he said. "LSU plays in great games, and it is close to home. I didn't want to have all the recruiting interruptions at home during my senior season. This takes pressure off of me."

Vincent also considered Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Auburn before picking the Tigers.

WORTH REPEATING: "When it was thundering and lightning, I was trying to throw (head trainer) Jack (Marucci) out there." -- Saban, joking, after relating a story about LSU's head trainer being struck by lightning in the 1958 preseason, the year LSU won its only national championship.
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Pretty funny about the trainer, but that's how you show dedication to your team! j/k

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Saban gets inside story on freshmen

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