re: Jimmy Smith and Andrew Lopez Final Predictions - 5/8 and Flips

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What did the article say?

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All along, Godchaux — who has visited Ole Miss, Miami, Auburn and LSU — has openly professed his intention of coming to Baton Rouge.

“You only live once,” he said Friday. “I just wanted to go see these other schools, but I’m committed to LSU.”

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That changed in September. In the first quarter of Plaquemine’s season opener against East Ascension, Godchaux’s knee was rolled up from behind on the backside of a play. He tore his ACL and, on Sept. 20, had season-ending surgery.

With the possibility of having his scholarship pulled, Godchaux phoned LSU coach Les Miles on Sept. 30 to commit to the Tigers. But that didn’t shut down the recruiting process: He still intended to take his trips.

And it wasn’t entirely his idea.

“My advice to him was to take them,” Plaquemine coach Paul Distefano said.

The easiest way to grasp the rationale is to take on Godchaux’s perspective.

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Ahead of his visit to Auburn, Godchaux tweeted that he was blessed to have the opportunity. And there was a picture with coach Gus Malzahn to boot.

It led to chatter that Godchaux might bail out — and that created ire among a fringe element of LSU’s fan base. That might stem from the perception, right or wrong, that Godchaux should feel fortunate that LSU stuck by him after his devastating injury.

“People might see that and I think I’m going to Auburn, but it’s just untrue,” Godchaux said. “Ever since you’re a little kid, you’ve wanted these schools chasing after you. People can always take what you say the wrong way.”

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A few days removed from his Auburn trip, Godchaux wrote those who actually cared about him would support his choice no matter the destination. In the past weekend, though, there was only a lone picture posted: the Rose Bowl.

“I try not to listen to those people,” Godchaux said. “They weren’t there from Day One when you were putting in all the hard work to earn the opportunity.”

Distefano is irked at the notion Godchaux is being judged.

“Who wants to criticize an 18-year-old kid for accepting a free trip to Los Angeles?” he said. “Whoever does that really needs to get a life.”

Ultimately, what Godchaux does Wednesday morning will be the biggest statement.

“A lot of people forget we’re still kids,” he said. “I’m still for LSU.”

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