Freshman safety Craig Loston is expected to make his debut in an LSU uniform less than two weeks after his delayed arrival in Baton Rouge.LSU coach Les Miles said Loston will see the field on Saturday against Washington — just maybe not in the defensive backfield.”We might get him some special team snaps this Saturday,” Miles said.Loston, a 6-foot-2-inch, 193-pound safety prospect, signed with LSU in February as the nation’s top-ranked player at his  position. The heralded safety is the final piece of the Tigers’ highly-touted 2009 recruiting class to arrive in Baton Rouge.The Aldine, Texas native was a surprise addition for Les Miles and company. Loston committed to Tommy Bowden at Clemson during his junior year of high school, only to renege on his pledge when Bowden was fired. Loston then followed the recruiting trail to College Station, Texas, where he committed to Mike Sherman at Texas A&M. But Loston changed his mind again, fell to the powerful wooing of Tiger coaches and committed to LSU in January. Miles said Loston impressed in his limited practice time.”Craig Loston may have been a little closer to the two-deep had he come in early enough,” Miles said. “He has come in and shown great speed and shown the ability to hit. He has a very natural understanding of the football.”Miles also mentioned a hand injury Loston suffered, but Loston’s high school coach, Ray Evans, said the injury won’t affect Loston’s first season in Baton Rouge.”It’s old,” Evans said.Evans believes Loston’s presence in Baton Rouge will be felt sooner than most think. “He’s an impact player,” Evans said. “He’s the type of guy who can come in at a program like that and play as a freshman. Once he picks the system up, he’ll be able to help them this year.”Loston’s arrival was later than expected because the NCAA cleared Loston to play Aug. 24. The NCAA Clearinghouse rendered Loston ineligible because of a class discrepancy. ESPN reported Loston had to take a class during the summer.Evans declined to discuss the situation. LSU is no stranger to the Clearinghouse. Fellow 2009 recruits Tahj Jones and Akiem Hicks also had eligibility struggles with the NCAA, but have since been cleared.LSU players are noticing Loston’s abilities as well. They were a little more cautious than Evans with their early evaluations. LSU sophomore cornerback Patrick Peterson said although Loston’s talent has been evident, his absence this summer had some negative effects. “I think it set him back a little bit,” Peterson said. “We have a lot of schemes we’re throwing at him. But I think he’s a good enough player to understand the scheme. I don’t think he’ll be ready for the first game, but eventually he’ll be ready for the season.”Peterson said Loston’s impact might be felt more next season.”He’s a pretty good safety,” Peterson said. “I can’t wait to see him back there next year. He might be backing me up.”Miles echoed that sentiment. He said Loston’s delayed arrival might have cost him a higher spot on the depth chart.”Craig Loston may have been a little closer to the [second string] had he come in early enough,” Miles said.
 
 
 
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