LSU’s football team reported to camp last Wednesday, which began weeks of preparation for the 2016 season.
104 out of 105 players reported to camp while LSU awaited the addition of one player: three-star defensive end Andre Anthony was the only player from the Tigers 2016 signing class to not report.
LSU coach Les Miles appealed the ruling of the NCAA’s decision to not accept Anthony’s coursework from Miller-McCoy High School, which is now closed.
The NCAA denied the appeal and Anthony will rejoin the Tigers in the spring.
Transcript of Andre Anthony’s situation, told by Les Miles.
NCAA didn’t accept work from Miller-McCoy Academy. pic.twitter.com/gpAWl0cBFX
— Christian Boutwell (@CBoutwell_TDR) August 3, 2016
Maea Teuhema and Tashawn Bower miss first few practices
When camp began last week, LSU was already down two players, but only for a short period of time.
Sophomore Maea Teuhema, the presumed starting left tackle, and senior outside “F” linebacker Tashawn Bower both missed the first days of camp with respective leg injuries.
Teuhema battled a sprained ankle which has held him from the first week of camp and Bower was a little “nicked” according to LSU coach Les Miles. On Monday, Miles said Bower participated in individual drills and will be with the team going forward.
Three Tigers suffer significant injuries in the second week of camp
Depth was considered to be a strength for the Tigers this season with 18 starters on both sides of the ball returning, but the once-deep defensive unit has since been reduced.
Senior defensive lineman Christian LaCouture, the only starter of the three injured, tore his ACL in practice on Sunday and sophomore defensive end Isaiah Washington injured his knee. Both will be out for the season, they announced on Twitter.
LaCouture was expected to play multiple positions in LSU’s new defensive scheme, particularly starting at defensive end. Washington spent time in camp practicing as the backup to starting outside linebacker Arden Key as the half-bred defensive end/linebacker position known as the “F” linebacker.
LSU junior quarterback Brandon Harris was in the team training room when LaCouture heard the news about his ACL tear.
“He still kept a smile on his face,” Harris said. “These were his words “Everything happens for a reason. God is going to push him through it.” I know he’s going to be a big leader for us off the field.”
And for the third injured, recently converted senior linebacker, a former safety, Corey Thompson injured leg in practice on Wednesday and is expected to miss playing time early in the season, a “tough blow,” as senior safety Rickey Jefferson called the injury.
Jefferson said Thompson’s injury was a “freak accident” and happened on a routine during the first of the Tigers’ two-a-day practices on Wednesday morning.
“Corey is a fighter,” Jefferson said. “He’s been through adversity before. I have no doubt that they will get over this bump in the road. I hope everybody say their prayers for him and I hope he have a speedy recovery.”
Valentine returns to LSU
Last summer, sophomore defensive lineman Travonte Valentine was kicked off the team.
A year later, he has rejoined the team and will don No. 55. LSU made the move official on Tuesday, but the 6-4, 340-pound nose tackle can practice, yet is ineligible to play with the team as the NCAA must officially register, acclimate Valentine’s readmission.
Valentine has never played a down in purple and gold and was a part of LSU’s 2014 second-ranked signing class. He spent the last year at Arizona Western and Mississippi Gulf Coast community colleges before returning to Baton Rouge.
Valentine will have to take a class during LSU’s intersession period which ends on Aug. 20, according to The Advocate.
With the loss to LaCouture on the defensive line, the near-350-pound Valentine is expected to contribute early, and often, this season at nose tackle.
Freshman making waves early
During his press conferences in the past week, Miles has named a handful of “ready-made” freshman he hopes to have prepped for playing time as LSU’s fall camp comes to a close.
Freshman linebackers Devin White and Michael Divinity Jr, who were early enrollees in the spring, have practiced with the veterans in the three days of practice that were open to media last week.
Devin White worked out with the vets the first two #LSU practices. Here’s what Kendell Beckwith said about him. pic.twitter.com/HgeCS3tMrj
— Joshua Thornton (@JoshTDR) August 5, 2016
Freshman defensive tackles Rashard Lawrence and Edwin Alexander practiced with veterans on Saturday, when Miles also called them “ready-made” nose tackles.
Other freshmen that practiced with the veterans: defensive end Sci Martin, wide receiver Drake Davis and offensive guard Donavaughn Campbell.
Rashard Lawrence running through a d-line drill.
“Got dang that was good.” – Coach O pic.twitter.com/nTYM3yp4vD
— Joshua Thornton (@JoshTDR) August 5, 2016
You can reach Josh Thornton on Twitter, @JoshTDR
