RECRUITING: Most Valuable Player

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Northshore offensive lineman Chris Faulk gets a visit from Les Miles; headed for San Antonio

by Daniel Mingea III
Tiger Rag Recruiting Analyst

CLICK HERE to read Mingea’s recruiting blog at NOLA.com.

The LSU Class of 2009 is full of talented players with names such as Russell Shepard and Chris Davenport making the headlines. There is one player, however, that has a legit shot at becoming a household name on Saturdays, when it really matters.

He has already made a name for himself at Northshore high school and it is likely his name will be etched in stone over there, forever.

Chris Faulk has been laying it on the line for his team all of his career and now that it has been said and done, it is safe to say his hard work paid off. Like life though, it came with its ups and downs.

“We lost in the playoffs to St. Thomas More, 34-12,” Faulk humbly admitted. “I think they just wanted it more. That was pretty much the difference in the game. It was one of the saddest moments in my life. After the game I realized my high school career was over and that was a really sad moment for me.”

As the 6-foot-6, 305-pound giant will learn as his career continues to unravel, nothing worth anything in life comes easy, but if you work hard enough you can accomplish anything. Faulk’s high school coach made sure he understood that.

“I gave it my all,” Faulk stated. “My coach told me at our team banquet they were retiring my #75 jersey. He said they were doing that because every minute of every play I left it all out on the field and now no one at Northshore High School will ever be able to wear my number on their jersey.

“I was also named MVP of my team,” Faulk continued. “Playing on the offensive and defensive lines I never thought I’d be named MVP of the team. I’ll admit, it was a very emotional moment for me. I know I couldn’t have done it without the help of my coaches though and I owe them a lot for what they did for me.”

Now that Faulk’s high school career is in the books, he claimed he will focus on getting bigger and stronger for the rigors of the SEC. Two gentlemen recently paid the big-man a visit to see how he has been progressing.

“Coach [Les] Miles and coach [Joe] Robinson came to my house,” Faulk informed. “They were just checking up on me and seeing how things have been going. They said I might be able to see some playing time as a freshman. It all depends on how I come in after high school. I plan on giving it my all like I always do and we’ll go from there.”

That was the first time Miles paid a visit to the Faulk household and it was a visit Faulk will remember forever.

“Coach Miles is a very smart, intelligent man,” Faulk concluded. “I wasn’t nervous with him coming over because he doesn’t give off vibes to make you nervous. It was just a special moment for me.”

Faulk has the character and the work ethic to achieve many more fond memories once he gets to Baton Rouge. The next stop for the MVP however, will be in San Antonio, Texas as he was invited to play in the U.S Army All-American game on January 3rd which will be aired on NBC at noon.