While LSU is known for reeling in the majority of in-state football talent, recent years have left one dark cloud hovering over a small southern city — Thibodaux.
Tiger fans have watched two highly touted recruits say goodbye to the backyard field and ditch their purple and gold for the orange and blue of Auburn University.
Scout.com three-star linebacker Trey Granier said he is a different story.
“That doesn’t bother me,” Granier said of his former teammates’ departure. “I’ve been [committed to] LSU from day one. They chose to take a different route.”
Five-star wide receiver Trovon Reed, considered by many as a long-time LSU lean, shocked Tiger nation in 2010 by verbally committing and later signing to the Auburn Tigers.
This past recruiting season showed a similar scenario with four-star guard Greg Robinson. Robinson was considered a coin-flip choice between LSU and Auburn before announcing his decision to attend Auburn less than two months before signing day.
“The Auburn staff made their mark and set their sights on [Reed and Robinson],” said Shea Dixon, managing editor for TigerSportsDigest.com. “Trey is not one that they’re after as hard, and certainly he’s committed. He’s one I see definitely sticking.”
Granier got a jump-start on the recruiting process, receiving his LSU offer Sept. 15 and making his decision official Nov. 11.
“The atmosphere at LSU football is something that I had never really experienced before,” Granier said. “When you’re around it and get a chance to experience it by going to a few games, how can you not want to be there?”
The 6-foot-1-inch, 225-pound Thibodaux native is listed on the Rivals Top 250 watch list for 2012 and chose LSU over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee and Texas.
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Scarborough called Granier a rare elite Louisiana linebacker and said Granier is one of the jewels of this class.
“It’s crazy that this state produces so many great football players, but you have to go back to Bradie James since there was a national caliber linebacker,” Scarborough said. “He’s going to be the type of kid that’s a featured team leader at LSU. I do think he’s one of the best football players in the state.”
Cory Butler, Granier’s father, said the future Tiger’s football skills come from a long line of athletes.
Butler mentioned parents, grandparents, uncles and cousins who were collegiate athletes. The list also included two former Tigers — David Butler, a wide receiver in the ’90s, and Lionel Wallis, a wide receiver under former coach Jerry Stovall the ’70s and ’80s.
“Trey’s been blessed to be part of a family who has had several athletes play collegiate athletics,” said Butler, who played football at Nicholls State.
But Granier’s talents aren’t limited to the field.
The Thibodaux senior is also an honor student, which Butler, principal at Ellender Memorial High School in Houma, said runs in the family as well.
Granier also told Tiger fans not to worry about the Thibodaux trend of leaving Louisiana.
When asked about his future commitment status, Granier replied, “It’s for good.”
 
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Contact Mark Clements at [email protected]