RECRUITING: It Was Bittersweet for Davenport
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Tiger commitment Chris Davenport talks about his weekend trip to Tiger Stadium.
by Daniel Mingea III
Tiger Rag Recruiting Analyst
Unlike LSU’s previous two losses to top-ranked opponents, this one was a nail-biter. From beginning to end the Tigers scratched and clawed against the number-one ranked team in the country. Their heart was on display in front of a record-setting crowd and to the many recruits that were on hand.
One of the visitors sitting in the stands happened to be one of LSU’s biggest promoters, Chris Davenport. The Mansfield High School product entered the game with high expectations and exited the stadium after the game with almost complete satisfaction.
“It was a good game,” Davenport stated. “The fans were rowdy and it was a good game to watch. I was there with Russell Shepard, Chris Faulk, Josh Williford, and Stavion Lowe. We were all having fun.
“I think we were all disappointed about the outcome of the game, but we were just happy to be there,” Faulk added.
Prior to Saturday’s showdown, the 5-star prospect predicted it to be a tight game, but with the Tigers coming out on top. His preview for the game was nearly exact with one exception, the score. The reasoning for the outcome was obvious to anyone watching the game including the 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive linemen’s nightmare.
“I expected LSU to beat them,” Davenport explained. “Alabama didn’t play like the number-one ranked team to me. I expected to see them play at a higher level being ranked number-one and all. LSU’s defense played great, but the offense struggled, that’s all.”
After the game the recruits were invited into LSU’s locker-room. Davenport claimed the vibe in there to be bitter-sweet.
“I got the chance to go down into the locker-room after the game and talk with some of the players,” Davenport informed. “It looked like the players were all kind of happy, but then kind of sad at the same time. The defense gave it their all, but the offense let them down.”
The blame for the loss was directed towards quarterback Jarrett Lee. It could be seen on television-sets, heard across radio air-waves, and within the echoes throughout the stadium. Davenport claimed he did not spot the quarterback inside of the locker-room after the game, but said if he would have he would have offered him a simple message.
“I would’ve told him to keep his head up and to keep fighting,” Davenport concluded.
This was was extremely hard to watch!!!! I do believe that Jarrett will get much better in time! He needs reps and intense coaching to realizes that he does not have to single handed win the game. On the OT interception, he threw into again double coverage and to one of the best defenders in all of NCAA football!!!! I remember one of our players crossing the middle in single coverage headed for the end zone. Touchdown !!!! Oh well.
I do have a point to make with our offensive coordinator. Coach, why call such high risk high percentage plays with a quarterback who is struggling. Not a good way to build his confidence.
In spite of this loss, my hat is off to the TIGERS !!!! They showed the metal and spirit I was accustomed to seeing when I was a student there. MANY YEARS AGO. Thank you coach Myles for continuing to work with all of the guys. I still believe that this team has the potential to rise and successfully meet the challenges in the future. Hang in there Tiger fans. Remember the really bad years of several consecutive loosing seasons? I was at every game. I was a member of the Tiger Athletic Foundation for 31 years. A founding member I might add until I moved to Utah. I am and shall remain a Tiger . GEAUX TIGRS !!!!!!