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re: "Encouragement" Thread

Posted on 12/11/08 at 8:38 am to
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/11/08 at 8:38 am to
Dominique Allen solid and recruiting for LSU

Allen was at one time part of the 2009 University of Tennessee signing class, but has since moved his commitment to LSU. While the Vols haven't given up on Allen just yet, he describes himself as "solidly with LSU." It's a decision he made long before the coaching change from Phillip Fulmer to Lane Kiffin on Nov. 1.

"I knew it from the first time I went down there to LSU," Allen said. "I made the decision before Coach Fulmer left. LSU told me they were going to put me in there and I'll have a baptism by fire. I want to make LSU a better place."

Article

Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/17/08 at 6:57 am to
Herman Johnson, First team All- American

Football's Johnson Named AP First-Team All-American


12/16/2008
by www.LSUsports.net
BATON ROUGE -- It had been 11 years since LSU last had an offensive lineman named as a first-team All-America by the Associated Press. That was until Tuesday when senior offensive guard Herman Johnson was recognized as a first-team All-America by the news organization. .

Johnson, a native of Olla, La., becomes the first Tiger offensive lineman named first-team AP All-America since 1997 when Alan Faneca made the team.

Also on Tuesday, Faneca was named to his eight-consecutive NFL Pro Bowl (rosters) as a member of the New York Jets. He will start next to former Tiger and current Tennessee Titan's center Kevin Mawae in the 2009 Pro Bowl to be held Feb. 8 in Hawaii. Mawae has played in seven Pro Bowls, but returns to the game for the first time since 2004.

Johnson also becomes the 55th player in LSU history to be recognized as a first-team All-America. Those 55 players have garnered a total of 66 first-team All-America honors. Johnson also keeps alive a streak that has seen at least one LSU player earn first-team All-America honors for eight-straight years.

“This is a well deserved honor for Herman,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “Herman is a tremendous football player who plays a huge role on this team, both on and off the field. If they gave an All-America award for a person’s character, values and integrity, Herman would be on that list as well.
“He’s a team leader in every sense of the word and someone who I have enjoyed coaching over the past four years.”

The All-America honor is the start of a big week for Johnson as he will receive his degree from LSU on Thursday as the school’s commencement exercise on campus. Johnson, who at 6-foot-7, 350 pounds is one of the biggest players to ever wear the LSU uniform, will graduate with a degree in general studies.

Johnson started all 12 games for the Tigers this year, helping pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher Charles Scott. In addition, the Tigers averaged 30 points per game and rushed for 167 yards per contest, the fourth highest total in the SEC.

Johnson, who earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors for the second straight season in 2008, is one of four offensive linemen from the SEC listed on the AP first team. Johnson is joined on the list by Alabama center Antoine Caldwell, Alabama tackle Andre Smith, Ole Miss tackle Michael Oher, and Oklahoma guard Duke Robinson.

For his career, Johnson has played in 49 games, starting 37 times.

Johnson will play his final game in an LSU uniform on Dec. 31 when the Tigers face 14th-ranked Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.


AP All-America Team

Posted by TheDoc
doc is no more
Member since Dec 2005
99297 posts
Posted on 12/17/08 at 7:50 am to
quote:

We have 50! 50! 4 star and 5 star players on this current roster




I just hope they are coached better for the bowl game and offseason.
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/17/08 at 8:48 am to
Great news just keep pouring for LSU's Class

Rivals article by Jeremy Crabtree

While there was plenty of debate this season about the nation's No. 1 football team, there is no debate about who has the best recruiting class. When the updated Rivals.com player rankings were released for December, LSU catapulted up the charts to No. 1.

The Tigers have 20 commitments including newly minted five-star prospect Janzen Jackson, and narrowly lead USC in points, 2,343-2,336. But it's also a narrow lead LSU might not give up because plenty of high-profile players are still on the Tigers' board.

The biggest name is the nation's No. 1 player, wide receiver Rueben Randle of Bastrop (La.) High. Randle told Rivals.com on Monday that he's going to take official visits to LSU and Alabama; he already has visited Oklahoma.

He isn't willing to tip his hand, but all signs point to a Tigers-Crimson Tide battle. The school that misses out on Randle likely will sign four-star receiver Kendall Kelly, of Gadsden (Ala.) Gadsden City. Kelly is the nation's No. 120 player.

Another player who surely will help keep the Tigers near the top is Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower five-star safety Craig Loston. He has been widely rumored to be a silent LSU pledge.

The Tigers also appear to be in solid shape with five-star athlete Andre Debose of Sanford (Fla.) Seminole, and the Tigers also are holding out hope they can somehow steal five-star offensive lineman D.J. Fluker and five-star running back Trent Richardson away from the Tide.

Throw in four-star linebacker Barkevious Mingo from West Monroe (La.) High and maybe four-star top 100 linebacker Jarvis Jones, and this Tigers class could rank as one of the best in recent history. For that to happen, all the dominoes would have to fall right. Still, even if they don't, it's going to be tough to stop Les Miles from having the nation's best class on National Signing Day.
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/19/08 at 8:40 am to
Russel Shepard....embarrassment of awards

Texas 5A top offensive player of the year
SHEP WITH ANOTHER HONOR

Cy-Ridge’s Shepard earns top honor
Quarterback adds to growing list of accolades
By SAM KHAN JR. Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
This post was edited on 12/19/08 at 8:42 am
Posted by Cadello
Eunice
Member since Dec 2007
47817 posts
Posted on 12/19/08 at 8:46 am to
quote:

"I knew it from the first time I went down there to LSU," Allen said. "I made the decision before Coach Fulmer left. LSU told me they were going to put me in there and I'll have a baptism by fire. I want to make LSU a better place."
WOW...I'm starting to really like this kid.
I have to say thats one of the greatest quotes i have seen form a recruit.
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/20/08 at 12:43 pm to
Dream nears reality as Garrett signs with LSU
12/20/2008 10:15:35 AM
Daily Journal

BY JOHN WILBERT
Daily Journal

TUPELO - Goodbye Tupelo, hello LSU.

And goodbye to all the speculation that he'll change his mind.

That's what Tupelo High senior quarterback Chris Garrett symbolically said on Friday morning when he signed his SEC scholarship papers in front of family, coaches and faculty members. The signed documents will allow Garrett, who graduated on Thursday, to officially enroll at LSU for the spring semester and begin working out with the Tigers football team.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback committed to LSU in March and will begin classes on Jan. 12. He plans to major in general business administration.

"I've been wanting to play big-time college football since I've been in the seventh and eighth grade," said Garrett, who was dressed in a purple and gold tie his father picked out for him. "It's just a dream come true.

"I'm just going to take full advantage of it when I get there."

For Garrett, who plans on leaving for Baton Rogue at 5 a.m. on Jan. 9, LSU wasn't his original choice.

The Tupelo quarterback grew up a Mississippi State fan and originally committed to State in October of last year. But after paying LSU a visit in February, Garrett decided he couldn't pass up an opportunity to play for the defending national champions.

"Chris wanted to go ahead and commit, and get all that stuff behind him so that he could focus on the season," said Tupelo head coach Eric Collins, a lifelong LSU fan.

Ironically, neither State nor LSU were his top destination during Garrett's junior season.

"If they had offered, I was going to Alabama," Garrett said.

Before committing to MSU last fall, Garrett had gone to some of the Crimson Tide's games and realized that the Alabama coaches were not that interested in him. Garrett then moved on from there and didn't think about Alabama again.

Ironically, Alabama head coach Nick Saban, when visiting with Golden Wave receiver Chad Bumphis at the high school on Tuesday, asked Tupelo High head coach Eric Collins about Garrett's commitment to LSU.

Collins then explained to Saban how Alabama was Garrett's first choice before committing to MSU, and that Collins and Garrett had spoken with the Alabama offensive coordinator at the time to see if the Tide were interested.

'Game over' for Alabama
"We called Alabama and Major Applewhite said point blank that he wasn't interested and didn't think that he could play in the SEC," Collins said. "Game over."

Saban's response, according to Collins, was that his program now has a new offensive coordinator in Jim McElwain and "Coach McElwain loves the guy."

"I said, I will mention it to Chris, and if there's any ray of hope I will let you know, but I can tell you now that I believe that Chris is solid with LSU.'"

Realistically, Garrett likes the opportunity he will have at LSU and the direction the Tigers are headed into next season under head coach Les Miles.

"He (Miles) said there is no starting quarterback going into the spring," Garrett said. "Whoever's the best quarterback coming out of that will have the upper leg going into the fall.

"We've got a four-star receiver committed, another five-star that's a solid commitment that no one knows about, and they're in contention for the No. 1 player in the country who is a wide receiver. So, you are going to have targets to throw to if you go there."




Don't forget about TT who is a 5 star, will be a junior next year

Lafell a senior if he stays
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/22/08 at 5:36 pm to
shepard oficially a tiger (Posted on 12/22 at 4:17 p.m.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I sent me letter of intent in the mail yesterday, so I'm all signed up. I think I'm going to leave here around January 7 and I'll be moved in (to LSU) on the (January) 8 or 9.


I found this on orange bloods

I wish you LSU fans could have seen his performance against JaMarkus McFarland Lufkin this year. He made a defense full of great athletes look like JV scrubs. His 300 yards rushing was nothing short of amazing. He's the 2nd best athlete at QB in high school that i've ever seen,(behind Vince Young of course). He can do amazing things with the ball in his hands. Add that with fact that he's such a high character kid & you have the total package. He will be a great ambassador for LSU football & should make all of you forget about Ryan Perriloser. Congrats LSU fan.



It should be noted that both our 2 QB's for this 2009 class are the first two to get their L.O.T. Mailed in and are enrolling in January. Talk about addressing the needs of the team!

Maturity and Leadership!!
This post was edited on 12/22/08 at 5:38 pm
Posted by ElysianArmsAlum
Maryland
Member since Dec 2006
964 posts
Posted on 12/22/08 at 6:49 pm to
Minter will be the best defensive player in the years class. He will dominate.
Posted by Cadello
Eunice
Member since Dec 2007
47817 posts
Posted on 12/22/08 at 6:55 pm to
quote:

wish you LSU fans could have seen his performance against JaMarkus McFarland Lufkin this year. He made a defense full of great athletes look like JV scrubs. His 300 yards rushing was nothing short of amazing. He's the 2nd best athlete at QB in high school that i've ever seen,(behind Vince Young of course). He can do amazing things with the ball in his hands. Add that with fact that he's such a high character kid & you have the total package. He will be a great ambassador for LSU football & should make all of you forget about Ryan Perriloser. Congrats LSU fan.
What a classy guy to post this after losing maybe the best athelete in the state of Texas.
See there are classy fans everywhere ...He deserves his props for this post.
Posted by DocBugbear
Arlington, Texas
Member since Mar 2008
7964 posts
Posted on 12/22/08 at 8:24 pm to
Nice Apex! Way to let it rip!

We have a loaded roster, and after a rough season like this, they are going to be all riled up and nasty next year. They aren't about to let another year like this happen again. A new DC is going to have us playing our traditionally brutal defense, and 2009 is going to be a rampage from start to finish.
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/22/08 at 8:45 pm to
quote:

DocBugbear
"Encouragement" Thread
Nice Apex! Way to let it rip!


Thank you Doc

I am just having fun
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/22/08 at 9:00 pm to
Because this is ridiculous: It has to be posted

He deserves yet another post

Combined with this guy, would be probably not fair one day.

Debose, "there he goes"
This post was edited on 12/24/08 at 3:11 pm
Posted by DocBugbear
Arlington, Texas
Member since Mar 2008
7964 posts
Posted on 12/22/08 at 9:53 pm to
You keep having fun Apex! I think you are having a positive effect on the morale of this board. Impressive.

Posted by pdaddy2005
covington
Member since May 2008
2181 posts
Posted on 12/22/08 at 10:18 pm to
All I can say about Debose is WOW! LSU is going to be scary in the very near future. RS,RR and Debose....who wins the Heisman????
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/22/08 at 10:22 pm to
I have failed to mention that LSU puts (often) WR's in the NFL... This one is one of the best.

Dwayne Bowe

#80

Russel to Bowe is simply a thing of "awe"

Best rookie

Interview

Not your average WR
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/24/08 at 2:36 pm to
2 more early enrollees:

Two of Georgia’s top prospects become fast friends at LSU

By Jeff Hood | Wednesday, December 24, 2008, 10:01 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tucker running back Drayton Calhoun and Peachtree Ridge linebacker Kevin Minter got a taste of life at LSU last weekend when the two metro Atlanta seniors took official visits to the Baton Rouge-based program.

They are both scheduled to enroll at LSU in January.

“The visit went great,” Calhoun said. “It was easy to get around campus, considering that classes were already out. We got to see a lot of the campus.”

The visit included a couple of opportunities to watch the Tigers prepare for next week’s Chick-Fil-A Bowl against Georgia Tech.

“We got to attend two practices,” Calhoun said. “There was a lot of intensity.”

Calhoun and Minter, who signed their letters of intent on Friday, plan to room together at LSU. They’ll share an apartment with Texas standouts Dexter Pratt and Russell Shepard.

Classes are scheduled to start at LSU on Jan. 12.

Posted by Cadello
Eunice
Member since Dec 2007
47817 posts
Posted on 12/24/08 at 2:42 pm to

The era of excellence begins!
Posted by lsusportsman2
Member since Oct 2007
27232 posts
Posted on 12/24/08 at 3:01 pm to
you are very smart. nice post. we need to sticky this.
Posted by ApexTiger
cary nc
Member since Oct 2003
53800 posts
Posted on 12/27/08 at 11:23 pm to
Five Tigers to Represent LSU in Under Armour Senior Bowl


Mobile, AL. (Dec. 27)---For the second consecutive year the South squad in the Under Armour Senior Bowl will have a large LSU contingent. Bowl officials announced Saturday that five LSU players have accepted invitations to the 60th game on January 24th in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Linebacker Darry Beckwith, wide receiver Demetrius Byrd, offensive lineman Herman Johnson, defensive end Tyson Jackson and fullback Quinn Johnson will all represent the purple and gold next month in Mobile. LSU sent four players to the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl. Kickoff for the 60th game is scheduled for 6 pm (CT) and the game will be televised by the NFL Network.

Beckwith was a second team All-SEC selection for the second straight season. He enters next week’s Chick-Fil-A Bowl against Georgia Tech with 186 career tackles. The Baton Rouge native has 33 career starts under his belt and was a finalist for the Butkus Award this season.

Byrd is the Tigers’ second leading receiver with 34 receptions for 503 yards and four touchdowns. He led the team in touchdowns as a junior, scoring seven times and has 11 for his career. In 16 starts, Byrd has 69 catches for 1,124 yards.

Herman Johnson is the biggest player to ever wear an LSU uniform. The 6-7, 375 pound offensive guard was a first team Associated Press All-American, first team All-SEC selection and second team Walter Camp and Sporting News All-American in 2008. He is part of an offensive line unit that has helped the Tigers average 167.2 yards per game, which is fourth best in the SEC. Johnson also has the unique distinction of being the biggest baby ever born in the state of Louisiana at 15 pounds, 14 ounces.

Jackson was a second team All-SEC pick this season and ranks eighth in school history in career sacks with 18.5. He is second on the team with 8.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks this season. With three more tackles for a loss, Jackson will move into a tie for tenth on the school’s all-time list.

Quinn Johnson will head to Mobile after earning a reputation of being a solid blocking fullback. The converted linebacker has scored three times this season and hauled in one catch, a 24 yard pickup against Arkansas. Two of Johnson’s touchdowns this season came in LSU’s come-from-behind win over Troy.

Tickets for the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl are currently available for purchase at the Senior Bowl ticket office (151 Dauphin Street), select Regions Bank locations, online at www.seniorbowl.com or by calling (251) 432-4109.
This post was edited on 12/27/08 at 11:24 pm
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