The bedrooms of Broussard Hall were budding with LSU athletes in the 1990s.
Many famous Tigers called the former athletic residence halls home during the decade, but it was also a breeding ground for a potential future LSU superstar.
Former LSU center Shaquille O’Neal was one of many LSU athletes who shared the halls with tiny Odell Beckham Jr., son of then-LSU running back Odell Beckham Sr.
“He was a dorm baby,” Beckham Sr. said. “He was all over the dorm, hanging out the players. Shaq used to lift him up.”
Beckham Jr., a Scout.com four-star recruit, is nearing a commitment with LSU, according to his dad.
“That’s his home — Broussard Hall,” Beckham Sr. said. “Twenty years later, they are recruiting him.”
Beckham Jr. has been a jack of all trades for Isidore Newman High School this season. The blue-chip recruit was used as a wide receiver, running back, quarterback and defensive back as a senior.
Beckham Jr. has narrowed his college choice to LSU and Miami, but the Tigers are leading for his services, according to his dad.
“To me, it’s LSU,” Beckham Sr. said on which school his son will choose. “That’s just my opinion.”
The Hurricanes’ slim chances of landing Beckham Jr. were further narrowed with the firing of former coach Randy Shannon last weekend.
“He was just like, ‘Wow,'” Beckham Sr. said of his son’s reaction to the news. “That may have solidified [that he will commit to LSU].”
The blue-chip recruit will visit Miami around mid-December, Beckham Sr. said.
Beckham Jr. made a name for himself in a football program famous for its legendary alumni.
Peyton, Eli and Cooper Manning made their marks on Newman and put its football program on the map in the 1990s.
The Greenies lived in the shadow of the Manning trio until the arrival of Beckham Jr., a player with a football pedigree of his own.
Beckham Jr. eclipsed Cooper Manning’s record of more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
“He was one of the most explosive athletes that has ever come through here,” said Newman coach Nelson Stewart. “He was such a weapon for our team.”
The 5-foot-11-inch, 175-pound prospect caught 50 passes for 1,110 yards and 19 touchdowns, rushed 50 times for 331 yards and six touchdowns and threw for 90 yards and one score as a senior.
The athlete also played on defense and special teams, grabbing four interceptions and returning two punts for touchdowns.
Stewart said Beckham could play a number of positions in college, but wide receiver is most likely his future spot.
“He’s been told he’s been recruited as a wide receiver,” Stewart said. “He does the best with the ball in his hands.”
Beckham Sr. said his son’s potential at LSU could reach greater heights.
“His stats don’t really speak for what he did,” Beckham Sr. said. “He really only played two seasons.”
Beckham Jr. was sidelined his sophomore season with a hairline fracture in his pelvis and later a hairline fracture in his ankle.
Beckham Jr., the Scout No. 38 wide receiver in the nation, made up for lost time in his junior and senior campaigns, leading the Greenies to 9-3 and 8-4 records.
Beckham Jr. grew up training for his future in football. His mom, Heather Van Norman, was a six-time All-American track star for LSU during the early ’90s.
“I remember him starting playing football around 4,” Beckham Sr. said. “He would go around saying, ‘Blue 32, blue 32, hut, hut.'”
Shea Dixon, managing editor of TigerSportsDigest.com, said it’s only a matter of time before Beckham picks LSU.
“He’s starting to get a good relationship with the committed guys,” Dixon said. “He also comes from an LSU family. It’s really LSU’s to lose.”
Beckham Jr.’s decision could come as soon as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 8.
The wide receiver will join three LSU commitments — offensive lineman La’el Collins, running back Kenny Hilliard and defensive end Anthony Johnson — among others at the all-star game.
“I would think that at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Game, we’ll definitely know that he’s going to LSU,” Beckham Sr. said. “I’m going be optimistic even though he’s making me sweat.”
 
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Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]