RECRUITING: Getting Recognized

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LSU commitment Chris Davenport is hard to overlook

by Daniel Mingea III
Tiger Rag Recruiting Analyst

Read Mingea’s recruiting blog at NOLA.com by clicking HERE.

Listen to Mingea’s comments on last weekend’s recruiting visits by clicking HERE .

With a headline name such as Russell Shepard leading the LSU class of 2009 it is easy to see why a name like Chris Davenport can get overlooked. While Davenport’s team may not be showcased on television this year and while he may not be getting the ESPN interviews like a Shepard, Davenport is just as important to Tigers’ class of 2009.

Davenport is the best defensive lineman in the state of Louisiana and is arguably the best in the nation. He is currently recovering from a knee operation, but last season the Class 2A 1st team All-State lineman recorded 120 tackles including 18 sacks proving his value. The Mansfield High School product may not be as vocal as a Shepard within the recruiting scene, but when he has the chance the humble-lineman does his part.

Davenport is the No. 4 rated defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com. He is also listed as the 55th overall prospect in the ESPN Top 150.

TigerRag.com caught up with the five-star prospect for an update.

“My trip to LSU for the Mississippi State game was the same as every other game I’ve been to,” Davenport expressed. “I had a good time and really enjoyed myself.

“I got to hang out with some recruits like Russell Shepard, Darrington Sentimore and the Florida guys (Andre Debose, Ray Ray Armstrong and Dyron Dye),” Davenport added. “Dye and Armstrong didn’t say too much. We all joked and laughed a little and that was it. Debose talked the most out of the three. He seemed like a down-to-Earth guy and really mellow. I think they could all fit in at LSU, but I don’t know what they’re thinking. It’s their decision. If they feel like LSU is the place for them then I’d be glad to have all three of them.”

Like Shepard, Davenport has his own way of approaching would-be LSU recruits.

“I really didn’t talk about recruiting too much at the game,” Davenport admitted. “I had seen those guys at the LSU camp over the summer and that was when I really talked about recruiting. I just told them everything LSU had to offer as well as what kinds of things they have here throughout Louisiana.”

Like the other recruits on hand for this past weekend’s game, Davenport was recognized by many. It is safe to say he was probably even more noticeable due to his tremendous size as it is hard to hide while standing at 6-foot-3 and 310-pounds.

“Yeah some people recognized me,” the humble Davenport stated. “They recognized all of us. A few people yelled out my name, but I didn’t think much of it. It gave me a good feeling inside and I was happy people knew who I was.”