The state of Louisiana has seen brighter days.
The recent flooding in south Louisiana destroyed and displaced thousands of people and homes in, and around, the Baton Rouge community and a couple of LSU football players were among those affected.
During a post-practice news conference on Tuesday, LSU coach Les Miles said freshman tight end Caleb Roddy — a native of Denham Springs, Louisiana — asked Miles to leave camp to check on his home. Fortunately for Roddy, his home and family are believed to be in good condition, and their home isn’t “tremendously damaged,” according to Miles.
However, Miles said junior wide receiver Russell Gage’s family was placed into a shelter and isn’t sure how soon they’ll be back in their home.
“These natural disasters,” Miles said. “They don’t discriminate; they hammer everybody.”
Fournette injured at practice
Junior running back Leonard Fournette will be sidelined from practice.
Miles said his 6-foot-1, 235-pound tailback was injured on a running play when a player tackled and laid on his ankle. His injury is a just a “light” sprain and is to Fournette’s lower ankle.
How soon Fournette will return to practice is up in the air, but Miles said Fournette told him “he’ll be fine.”
Fournette led the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards per game last season and broke a LSU single-season rushing record with 1,953 rushing yards.
Valentine “tough to block” in practice
Sophomore defensive tackle Travonte Valentine is picking where he left off at LSU.
Valentine has practiced with the team within the last week and has caused problems for the LSU offense line. Senior center Ethan Pocic said when Valentine was with the team in 2014 he commanded double teams and was difficult to block.
Miles used one word to describe the 6-foot-4, 356-pound defensive lineman: “thick.”
“Tough to block,” Miles said when asked about Valentine. “And going to school. I didn’t see him today, because he wasn’t with us. He’s at school.”
In order to be eligible for the 2016 football season, Valentine has to finish an intersession course, but has missed class due to school closures from recent flooding.
Miles said during the time school was out, the team kept him active with workouts in preparation for the first game of the season.
Tigers staying on schedule
Even with recent school closures, LSU has still been able to practice inside its indoor facility.
“We’ve tried not to miss any,” Miles said. “We have an indoor facility. We go inside. Making sure that this team is ready is my first charge.”
LSU held a scrimmage today and said junior quarterback Brandon Harris was 14-20 in passing, but didn’t share any details on any marker for passing yardage.
“He continues to improve, understands the offense, he has much more poise,” the coach said. “He’s putting people in position. He’s acting like our quarterback should act.”
Miles also said the team plans to help with LSU’s annual move-in day Wednesday afternoon.
