Three LSU football players know what it feels like to play for the Rebels — not Ole Miss but rather the Rebels of West Monroe High School.Sophomore offensive lineman Will Blackwell, freshman linebacker Barkevious Mingo and freshman cornerback Tyler Glynn came to LSU from West Monroe — tied with John Ehret for the most from any high school on the Tigers’ 2009 roster.The 189-mile pipeline from West Monroe to Baton Rouge will continue in 2010 when Scout.com four-star defensive end Jordan Allen joins the Tigers.Allen, the Scout No. 10 defensive end in the nation and Class 5A All-State selection, committed to LSU coach Les Miles on July 18. He had offers from many schools, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Nebraska.But Allen said there was no reason to leave the Pelican State.”As soon as I got my LSU offer, that’s all I cared about,” Allen said. “It’s the best college for me.”Allen recorded 70 tackles, nine sacks and seven forced fumbles his junior season as West Monroe finished runner-up to Destrehan in Class 5A. The Rebels are 5-0 in 2009 and No. 20 in the USA Today Super 25.”I just want to win the state championship,” Allen said. “I’m going to do what it takes to take my team to the Superdome.”West Monroe and LSU each have two championships this decade. The Rebels also took four titles in the 1990s. Sonny Shipp, Louisiana recruiting analyst for Scout, said the 6-foot-6-inch, 250-pound defensive end is one of the gems of the 2010 recruiting class.”He is one of the better guys there,” Shipp said. “He’s got good feet, nice size and a large wingspan.”Allen is one of four defensive linemen in LSU’s 2010 class, but Shipp said Allen may move to offensive line.”His coach at West Monroe feels he may be best at offensive tackle,” Shipp said. “The LSU coaches will have to get him on campus and see where he can best help the team.”Allen said his aggressive nature is best suited for the defensive line.”If they want me to change, I’m not going to say no,” Allen said. “But I’m going to work my [butt] off to stay at defensive end.”Allen started as a sophomore for the Rebels and is striving to play as early as he can for the Tigers.”I feel confident in myself,” Allen said. “It might take a couple of summers to become a player that can play on Saturdays, but I’m determined to play.”Allen said the gameday atmosphere of Fridays at West Monroe is comparable to Saturdays at LSU. “West Monroe is a small-sized LSU,” Allen said. “LSU has a bigger stadium, but it’s not that big of a difference. There are a lot of similarities.”Rebel Stadium holds 82,200 fewer fans than Tigers Stadium, but the atmosphere comes close to feeling like a college game, according to USA Today. Rebel Stadium was named as one of the 10 great places to watch a high school football game by USA Today in 2001.”Normally, every person that is a West Monroe fan is an LSU fan,” Allen said.The connection between the Rebels and Tigers has been present for years, said Rene Nadeau, college football analyst for ESPN and TigerVision.”Fans in that area grew up supporting LSU,” Nadeau said. “It has been a pipeline that has continued through the years.”Former Tigers Bradie James and Andrew Whitworth call West Monroe home, as well as Heisman Trophy runner-up and former LSU coach Jerry Stovall.”When West Monroe players see other West Monroe players playing for LSU — they want to go there,” Shipp said.—-Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]