There were a few missing faces Sunday when the LSU football team reported to campus for the start of fall practice.
Five commitments from this year’s recruiting class did not make it to campus for the first day of fall camp because they have yet to be cleared by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.
Those missing were running backs Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy, defensive tackle Al Woods, offensive lineman Steven Singleton and defensive back Tyson Andrus, who transferred to LSU from Ole Miss.
“Every Clearinghouse issue is a little different. It really kind of depends on when you get your stuff in,” said LSU coach Les Miles, who was unsure of when those players will arrive for practice.
These players, by NCAA rule, are not allowed on campus until the Clearinghouse approves their eligibility.
Additionally, four commitments from this year’s recruiting class did not meet academic requirements and will not play on the team. Those players are safety Shomari Clemons, defensive tackle Charles Deas, defensive back Jason Teague and junior-college offensive lineman Phil Loadholt.
Miles said Loadholt will not be on this year’s team since he could not pass a required math course.
The players who reported began arriving at the West Campus Apartments at 8 a.m. followed by a physical exam, a meeting with academic personnel and a compliance meeting.
Miles complimented a few players for their off-season work and leadership during his first press conference of the fall.
“LaRon Landry has been a guy that has been there for every workout,” Miles said. “[He] sees leadership as a call that he wants to answer in his final go round.”
Landry said one of the most important points to address early in camp is to improve communication among the defensive players on the field.
“If we’re all talking and we’re all on the same page, even though it might be the wrong call we make, at least we make the mistake together as a team,” Landry said.
Junior quarterback JaMarcus Russell also received praise from Miles for his off-season dedication to improving his strength.
“JaMarcus is strong and is in as good as shape as he has been since he’s been here,” Miles said. “He’s setting all kind of records with his lifting.”
Russell said his motivation for becoming stronger was to regain the strength he lost because of his shoulder and wrist injuries.
“As far as the first day of practice, I think I did a pretty good job,” Russell said.
When addressing the injury report, Miles said senior running back Justin Vincent is “much further along” than junior running back Alley Broussard, who sat out of spring workouts while struggling to recover from the season-ending knee injury he suffered during 2005 fall practice.
“I think that Alley may have got down on himself too much,” Vincent said.
Broussard and Vincent suffered the same injury, but Broussard has been plagued with swelling and other cartilage damage.
Vincent, who suffered a clean tear of his right ACL in the 2006 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, said he is 100 percent after having no setbacks in his rehab.
“[Broussard] may have had a little trouble at the end [of practice], but he looked great,” Vincent said.
For the first four days of practice, the veterans will practice in the morning while the rookies and selected veterans will work in the afternoon.
“Going with two practices gives you the opportunity to focus on some of those young guys that you’re hopeful you can bring along faster than others,” Miles said. “It also allows you to give a real premium to the varsity practice — maybe a little longer, a little bit more intense.”