re: So many players are leaving early.

The word is out. (Pumpers, Cheerleaders and those with short attention spans stop reading right now and move on)

LSU aint "Elite" any longer.

There's no incentive to stay in school, struggle in the classroom and play for third place in the S.E.C. West. No incentive to bust your arse on the practice field and return for the chance to play in a high protein animal meat Bowl.

They know what the coaching situation is.

They have no interest in academics, getting a degree, Louisiana State University or the football program sponsored by said school. They want to play for an S.E.C. and National Championship. In their eyes, there is little to no hope for that, so the "Lure of da N.F.L. $$$$$$$$ Animal" is the primary motivation and THEY GONE!

They "Stick" a little longer at other places because maybe they feel there's hope for a Championship and feel that hanging around another year is worth it. At LSU, not so much.

That's why I ranted a few days ago about the initiation and implimentation of a pro football minor league system just like in baseball. Make your choice right out of high school. Go the pro route and play professional football or go play college football for four years. No flip flopping either. If you decide on the pro route out of HS, then the forfeiture of the right to play college football goes into effect. Don't make it as a professional for whatever reasons, then go flip burgers or work at Wal-Mart.

You makes your choices and takes your chances!

BTW, the word is also out with high school recruits as well. No way LSU should ever be losing so many Louisiana HS Blue Chippers to out of state SEC schools. There's no in-state competition and unacceptable to be losing a higher % of Louisiana recruits with each passing season. More power to the Leonard Fournette's of Louisisna, but there's currently a "Perception" out there (Whether or not it's based in reality) that you're more likely to win an SEC/National Championship and be better prepared for the NFL if you go elsewhere. Whether or not if that's reality doesn't matter. There's a growing perception that it is and that's troubling. Why would the number one Offensive Lineman in the state of Louisisna want to go play football for Alabama?