When LSU redshirt freshman wide receiver Avery Peterson committed to LSU as the No. 23 receiver in the country by ESPN in 2012 and the brother of former LSU star Patrick Peterson, success at LSU seemed predetermined.
Little did Avery know his life would be turned upside down by a series of personal nightmares that threatened to derail his once promising football career.
Avery was a highly touted recruit out of Ely High School in Southern Florida where he caught 113 balls for 1,752 yards and 20 touchdowns in his three seasons with the school. He committed to LSU in the fall of 2010 as a sophomore, his decision spurned on by the desire to play for the team his brother Patrick once played for.
But before he could step on the field for the Tigers two years later, Avery encountered the first obstacle that started him down the winding path of his collegiate football career.
 Avery learned he was academically ineligible to play for LSU in 2012, thus forcing him to withdraw his commitment to the school.
“It was disappointing and sad,” Avery said. “I always wanted to come here because my brother was here, but it was disappointing what happened and so I just had to do what I had to to get in. There was no giving up.”
Avery went on to enroll in the Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. after high school, a humbling experience according to Avery, teaching him to do the right things the first time, while on his path to reviving his career.
After successfully completing a semester in the Military Academy, Avery joined the Tigers in January of 2013 hoping to fulfill his dream to play football for LSU, but was halted by yet another setback: an injury that threatened his season.
After a successful spring camp in 2013, Avery was a hot topic amongst LSU coaches, becoming a viable passing option for the Tigers offense. But during fall camp, Avery broke his ankle in practice, an injury that forced him to medically redshirt.
“It was disappointing,” Avery said. “Yet another set back, but it got me better and got me where I am today.”
After the injury, Avery rehabbed and caught numerous balls from the quarterbacks to make sure he wasn’t falling too far behind, as the rest of his Tiger teammates kept moving forward.
LSU junior receiver Travin Dural said he noticed a significant boost in Avery’s game and work ethic since he suffered the injury.
“He wants to win at everything,” Dural said. “If he messes up on a rep he’s not going to let you take that rep [until he gets it right]. He has grown a lot since his injury… since he got healthy he is a completely different person. He has grown so much and he is a way better player now than he was when he first got here.”
Dural also added that while Avery has a quiet, reserved personality, he’s a very focused and determined receiver who challenges himself daily.
“He’s a guy who’s really focused,” Dural said. “We’ll be going through walkthroughs and he’ll be standing off a little bit to the side focusing on what’s going on and what play it is while some guys may be in the back laughing or clowning, but he’s a guy that’s really focused and locked in during practice.”
Now with a clean slate of health and slated to contribute to a young offense, Avery said he is more determined than ever to finally get his career started for the Tigers.
“I’m just coming in catching balls and getting the right routes,” Avery said. “Learning the combinations and the plays and everything so I can be ready for when they call my number to get into the game.”