UPDATE: 10 Tiger underclassmen headed for NFL
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| Mathieu and nine members of 2012 squad declare for draft; Loston to return
By Tiger Rag News Services
BATON ROUGE - LSU defensive linemen Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery and Bennie Logan along with running back Michael Ford have decided to give up their final year of college eligibility and enter the 2013 NFL Draft, head coach Les Miles confirmed on Monday.
Earlier in the day, junior safety Craig Loston announced his intention to return for a senior season at LSU.
Mingo, Montgomery, and Logan all started on the defensive line for LSU in 2012, helping the Tigers to a 10-3 overall mark and an appearance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Michael Ford finished third on the team in rushing in 2012 with 392 yards and three touchdowns.
In their three years on the field, this group guided the Tigers to a 34-7 mark overall mark, the 2011 Southeastern Conference title and three bowl games, including the 2012 BCS National Championship Game.
“We are fortunate at LSU to be able to recruit the style of high school player that can develop very quickly into an NFL caliber athlete,” Miles said of the school’s early departures for the NFL. “The good fortune is that we invest in them, coach them and prepare them for the next step of their career. Generally speaking, every one of these guys is in position to return to school (during the offseason) to get their degree and one (Kevin Minter) has already graduated.
“We recruit very talented players with the understanding that there’s a choice that they may have to make following their junior year. It’s an individual decision and one that has to do with them and their family. I met with each player and provided them with as much information as I have so that they can make a quality decision in regards to their future. We wish these guys great fortune as they pursue this next step.”
Montgomery, from Greenwood, S.C., earned first team All-America honors as a sophomore and followed that up with second team honors as a junior in 2012 when he recorded 37 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and a team-best 8.0 sacks. For his career, Montgomery accumulated 104 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 19.0 sacks.
Mingo played in all 13 games in 2012, starting 10 times. He finished the year with 38 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks for an LSU defense that ranked among the nation’s best in total defense (307.6 yards per game), rushing defense (101.6 yards per game) and scoring defense (17.5 points per game).
Mingo, a native of West Monroe, La., was twice second team All-Southeastern Conference, earning the award in 2011 and 2012, while also freshman All-SEC honors as a rookie in 2010. Mingo capped his career with 119 tackles, 27.0 tackles for loss, 15.0 sacks and a staggering 27 quarterback hurries.
Logan, from Coushatta, La., was a two-year starter at defensive tackle for the Tigers. In 2012, he led all LSU defensive linemen with 45 tackles to go along with 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. For his career, Logan registered 105 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks.
Ford finished his LSU career with 1,394 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He added eight receptions for 69 yards and score and he returned 20 kickoffs for 549 yards.
The list of LSU underclassmen who have declared for the 2013 NFL Draft also includes: Minter, safety Eric Reid, running back Spencer Ware, punter Brad Wing, cornerback Tharold Simon.
To Tyrann Mathieu;
“How can we help the people who won’t listen. How can we make what is crooked straight. Why do we keep losing people with great ability to drugs?”
You are much to young, and have come way, way, too far to quit trying now Tyrann. Go back to church. Keep working, and God will bring you home. God bless Tyrann.
Remember when: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRTggpaBR6o
Some of these guys were ‘ready’ to go (as assessed by ESPN analysts) going in the first three rounds of the draft. Others (as stated by ESPN) could have benefited from another year at the college level. However, in all things in life … we all have to make our own decisions and live with the consequences.
Wow!! I can see 3 or 4 going, but not 10. There must be an under’lying’ story here.
Agree with Biglsufan. Tiger juniors (some of which will be drafted in the 5-6 rounds) have several reasons for leaving. Could it be for the lack of development or leadership???
If something doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t right. I has been painfully obvious to me since 1-9-2012 that LSU football has a systemic problem that UseLes will not and does not recognize. If you don’t recognize and admit there is a problem HOW CAN YOU FIX IT? I don’t blame these guys for leaving, they are playing for a clown of a coach that is totally oblivious to the perception his teams have now. For 5 years we have struggled for an offensive identity, every year UseLes says he is fixing it, NEVERS HAPPENS. My list of grievances against this coaching staff is much too long for this post so I will spare all of you.
Serious changes have to be made on this coaching staff but they won’t be made. Expect the same pitiful offense as the last 4 years. Mett should be replaced by someone, anyone, that doesn’t resemble a wet noodle back there.
FIRE LES MILES AND THE ENTIRE OFFENSIVE STAFF!
If these guys (minus Tyrann) are good enough for the pros, why did they go on “vacation” when it REALLY counted against FL, AL and Clemson?
I agree Brent. I have said Miles on a good day is at best average. I was on this guy years ago and I was hammered for it by LSU friends of mine and people on this site. Now there are more people realizing the problem is at the head. I think 10 juniors leaving says something more than guys who want to take advantage of a good opportunity. This guy has been a frog’s hair away from 7-5 or 6-6 seasons. Well that frog will be bald soon and that is the type of seasons we are heading to.
If you recall when he first got here people were complaining he was not hard enough on the players. Well that attitude that has gone on for years is now rearing it’s ugly head and my opinion is this team does not have the chemistry (not THC either) it takes to win big games. Time will tell.
BTW: I again would like to thank Skip Bertman for getting rid of the blow hard.
The truth will show up Feb. 5. I highly suspect that this upcoming recruiting class will fall. Possibly out of the top 10.
SOURCES SAY:
From the locker room after the game.
The seniors were pissed after the game, cussing miles saying this is the 2nd year in a row you’ve done this to us and the juniors that are leaving were saying this is why we leave early and chairs and water coolers were getting thrown everywhere
It seems like everyone is jumping ship. Do they see the hand writing on the wall?
As the LSU fighting tiger football fans stays confused over what Les Miles keep doing these days. Because LSU offense is such a mess. I keep asking everyone that might know something about LSU football teams problem. Just what is he doing anyway about the LSU football teams offense?
And I keep getting the same answer. Les Miles said that 2013 will be his best LSU offense ever. Nothing is wrong with the LSU football team’s offense. Can you imagine that. Good grief. I am afraid that we are about to become whistle stop college football USA again. Because of him. Someone better do something about him now?
Not sure why people keep counting Matheiu in the underclassmen that are leaving… he has not been on the team since August. Biglsufan, if you will notice only two of the nine underclassmen that are leaving are from the offensive side of the ball. If the players really are so upset, why aren’t more offensive players leaving? Your sources say… BS! Why don’t you give us your sources? You won’t because there are no sources. If the seniors were pissed, they should be pissed at the offensive line that played their worse game of the season… no blocking, no protection. Apparently, no one that has commented has been listening… all of the players with the exception of Ford (he will be another Trev Faulk and not get drafted) will be drafted with most in the top 3-4 rounds.
fire USELES MILES NOW. That is the only solution for this team to improve.
I love this team but i have had an issue with Miles for quite some time now. For so long they have had problems with the Offense but he does nothing except say they will be better,,not happening. I had BIG issue with him concerning Jefferson and seemed he was the only one that didn’t. As for Mathieu, i think he can be one of the greatest but with his drug problems,who will recruit him is my question. Along with Ford,Mingo,Montgomery,,the Honey Badger could hold his own. I always looked forward to watching him play each game,,but as for his life now,is he getting drug treatment?
I really felt hurt over Tyrann. He was like one of my own. Now, he is in troubled, gone astray. Losing what he had, fighting against the well wishes of his employer, friends, and family. That bad news was a very bad turn for me. That one of the reasons that I believe in amazon grace. Maybe if he just took a moment to give the lord another look and his honest consecrations. He could find his way again? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYMLMj-SibU
You @#$%&! people that want to get rid of Miles please tell me who you would replace him with… and don’t say Saban, he is gone and never coming back so get over it! Do you remember the coaches we had in the 90’s? Be glad with who you have… someone who wins 80% of his games and has the second highest graduation rate in the SEC. As for the offense, sure it could be more exciting, but do you want an offense like Ole Miss or Tenn with records of 6 & 6 or worse? Your favorite coach’s offense is no more exciting than LSU’s. Your mindset should be “just win baby”. Maybe you people should stop supporting LSU (I have my doubts as to how many of you actually support the program… go to games, TAF members, etc… most of you are probably couch coaches) and become Tulane or Alabama fans since most would love to kiss Saban’s butt.
MILES…MILES…MILES…that’s the ONLY problem LSU has. As long as Les Miles is H.C…LSU will lose any & every JR. with NFL potential every year. With all these JR’s that will get drafted in this years draft it shows just how horrible of a coach that Les Miles is…sad that the decision makers at LSU can’t see that. Great recruiter…horrible coach just like former LSU Basketball coach Dale Brown…couldn’t get out of the 2nd round with Shaq, Stanly Roberts, Chris Jackson, etc…Les Miles is equally inept.
LSU 2013 NFL DRAFT
1. Mingo, Barkevious DE 6-5 245 4.55 1ST (Top 10)
2. Montgomery, Sam DE 6-5 260 4.69 1ST (Top 10)
3. Reid, Eric SS 6-2 ½2184.58 1ST
4. Ware, Spencer RB 5-11228 4.54 1ST/2ND
5. Logan, Benny DT 6-3 290 4.80 1ST/2ND
6. Minter, Kevin ILB 6-2 245 4.75 1ST/2ND
7. Edwards, Lavar DE 6-5 270 4.77 2ND
Faulk, Chris OT 6-6 325 5.25 2nd/3rd (injured)
8. Mathieu, Tyrann CB 5-9 ½1774.55 2nd/4th
9. Simon, Tharnold CB 6-3 199 4.56 2nd/3rd
10. Wing, Brad P 6-3 195 4.75 2nd/3rd
11. Ford, Michael RB 5-10210 4.50 4th/5th
12. Hurst, Alex OT 6-6 335 5.35 4th/5th
13. Lonergan, P. J. OC 6-4 300 5.30 5th/6th
14. Downs, Josh DT 6-1 295 5.15 5th/7th
15. Dworaczyk, Josh OL 6-6 300 5.30 6th/7th
16. Clement, Chase TE 6-5 260 4.95 6th/7th
17. Aghayere, Chancey DE 6-4 277 4.77 7th
18. Shepard, Russell WR 6-1 188 4.48 7th
Wrong Tiger Bill….
Miles has been riding the wave of better than average college defensive coaching like Chavis has provided. If he decided to leave, Miles would then be only leaning on his old friend LUCK….
AAmbrose, you had better check your roster. There are several seniors on your list AND Matheiu is no longer on the team (can’t you people get that through your head?!). There are at least a couple of juniors that should stick around for their senior season, i.e., Simon & Ford).
Bilbo, luck doesn’t win 80% of your games. He won BEFORE Chavis got there.
Tiger Bill…I listed ALL LSU player available for the 2013 draft not just the JR’s but you can see it has been a Jr. mutiny…ALL these Jr’s cant be troublemakers as many are soo quick to label. Losing to Alabama last year and Clemson this year is not the problem…nothing wrong with losing to those teams but it’s the manner in which they lost and if you TRULY know football and leave the politics out of the game…you’d see it was all because of HORRIBLE COACHING. As a player when you know you weren’t put in a position to win the game by the coaching staff and they hang YOU (the player) out to dry and don’t take any accountability for they’re own failures IS frustrating enough to create this type of “mutiny”. LSU doesn’t need Miles…get a REAL coach and watch LSU become a dynasty.