RECRUITING: Davenport Goes On The Air

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Mansfield (La.) defensive tackle Chris Davenport joined the guys on the Tiger Rag Radio Show

by Matt Deville
Tiger Rag Senior Editor

The recruiting process is a funny game.

For the prospects and the coaches, it is hardly game. Recruiting is a very serious business.

However, for the folks that follow recruiting on a daily basis, the chase for the top prospects in the nation is almost like a game, ora hobby. For the guys that don’t actually hunt for wild game, following recruiting is a similar passion.

Like a fisherman, its all about the thrill of the catch.

Unfortunately, for some prospects who committ to a desired school early on, their efforts to pledge immediate loyalty to a particular program can be overlooked as the recruiitng process heats up near the end of the calendar year.

Take for example, Mansfield defensive tackle Chris Davenport.

Davenport, who is rated as the No. 2 defensive tackle in the nation, was one of the first to take his name off the big board pledging his allegiance to Les Miles and the LSU Tigers. Much like Leesville running back Michael Ford (the No. ( ranked running back in America) and Houston’s Russell Shepard (ESPN’s No. 1 overall prospect), Davenport was a huge prospect that had his mind made up early.

But as the spotlight turns to other top flight prospects, such as West Monroe’s Barkevious Mingo, Bastrop’s Rueben Randle or Aldine, Texas star Craig Loston, the earlycommitments sometimes are forgotten until they arrive on campus.

Most of the time, the early risers know what their doing. They know where they want to go and are looking to send out a message to other schools - my mind is made up. They don’t want to be sucked into recruiting drama that can get out of hand on the Internet and talk radio.

Davenport was a guest on the Tiger Rag Radio Show Tuesday night.

The 6-4, 340-pound defensive tackle said he hasn’t been worried about being out of the spotlight. Davenport said he visited several schools during the summer to workout at various camps, but when he pulled the trigger on the Tigers, his mind was made up.

Along with Shepard, who has become a the official mouthpiece for the LSU football program, Davenport has spread the word about the Tigers and has worked hard as a recruiter for coach Les Miles and his staff.

Davenport made it in for the Alabama over the weekend. And while his name hasn’t been in the papers as much as other uncommitted prospects, the big man has garnered plenty of attention when visiting the capital city. Davenport laughed as he heard people whispering behind him in a Baton Rouge area restaurant last weekend.

He also discussed his goals when he arrives on the LSU campus and updated listeners on the ongoing rehab from a knee injury.

CLICK HERE to listen to the interview with Davenport in its entirety.

The Tiger Rag Radio Show can be heard every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. on 10 affiliates STATEWIDE! You can also listen to the show LIVE via streaming audio on TigerRag.com.