Sometimes addition by subtraction is the best recipe for success.
After an unheard of 10 LSU football underclassmen decided to forgo their remaining eligibility and take their talents to the 2013 NFL draft, you were all probably thinking, “We’re screwed.” But before you go canceling your season tickets and forking coach Les Miles’ lawn to blame him for all the early departures, take a deep breath and relax.
It’s going to be OK.
Replacing such a large number of players may turn out to be the best thing to happen to the LSU football program in recent memory.
Multiple starting positions have opened up, and that could raise the eyebrows of some top recruits still waiting to make their college decisions.
Of course, the biggest fish still lurking in the 2013 class is consensus No. 1 prospect defensive end Robert Nkemdiche from Longville, Ga. His two final choices are Ole Miss, where his brother Denzel plays, and LSU.
LSU didn’t have much of a shot to land the freakish 6-foot-5, 265-pound Nkemdiche before Barkevious Mingo’s and Sam Montgomery’s departures from the defensive line. Now, LSU has a legitimate chance to have its name called when he makes his decision.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about covering Miles’ team the last few years, it’s that the best player will play, whether he’s a true freshman or a sixth-year senior.
If Nkemdiche decides to pledge his allegiance to the purple and gold, expect to hear Tiger Stadium announcer Dan Borné call Nkemdiche’s and LSU’s current top signee linebacker/defensive end Kendell Beckwith’s names in the starting lineup.
You’ve seen the impact of defensive end Jadeveon Clowney at South Carolina. Nkemdiche won’t knock running backs’ helmets off from the get-go, but defensive line coach Brick Haley would get him ready for the NFL like he did with Mingo and Montgomery.
How many times have you heard 10 sophomores and juniors declaring early for the NFL draft? Never.
Miles and his staff will be able to sit in the living rooms of these remaining recruits and tell them, “In the past two seasons, we’ve sent 13 underclassmen to the NFL draft. Would that be something you’d be interested in?”
Running backs Michael Ford and Spencer Ware aren’t leaving because they’re bonafide first-round picks. They’re jumping ship because there’s no room for them in the backfield with the emergence of Jeremy Hill.
The most important advantage from the early entrants is this team is now rid of most of the distractions that plagued it in 2011 and 2012.
Think about all the suspensions and off-the-field issues in the past two seasons. None of the Tigers suspended in 2011 will be a part of the 2013 team.
Eric Reid, Bennie Logan and Montgomery were solid leaders, and some underclassmen will have to step up on the field and in the locker room. But now LSU will only have to focus on its play on the field.
No more drama with Tyrann Mathieu or dealing with Brad Wing, who has the biggest punter ego out there. Even though Mathieu wasn’t on the team this season, it didn’t stop the media from hounding him more than any LSU player who actually suited up this season.
Departed cornerback Tharold Simon came out with a tweet after the Chick-fil-A Bowl criticizing LSU fans for lambasting him. Someone needs to tell him the next level will come with even more scrutiny.
Ten underclassmen declaring for the draft is mind-boggling, even by early 2000s University of Miami standards. If there’s any team and coaching staff that can rally around the defections to put a competitive football team on the field, it’s LSU.
LSU junior safety Eric Reid (1) tackles MSU junior quarterback Tyler Russell (17) during the Tiger's 37-17 win over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012.
