Even before Pete Jenkins was hired when LSU coach Ed Orgeron was promoted to interim head coach four games into this season, junior lineman Greg Gilmore would call him.
Jenkins, LSU’s 75-year-old coach of the Tigers’ defensive line, would even go as far to call Orgeron after LSU’s games, advising him to sit Gilmore, a nose tackle, on the bench.
“‘Get Greg out the game. And don’t put him back out there!'” Jenkins would tell Orgeron as Gilmore recalled Tuesday.
Gilmore, though, said he loves Jenkins, which is a part of the reason the junior draft-eligible defensive lineman is leaning toward staying in Baton Rouge for next season, delaying his professional career, he told reporters Tuesday.
“He can make me laugh all day,” LSU’s starting nose tackle said of Jenkins. “It’s something new every day. The thing about Coach Pete is he has stories for years.”
“I was calling him and asking him about certain techniques,” Gilmore said. “He’s like the doctor of techniques. If you’ve got the flu, you go to the doctor, and he’s to doctor of technique.”
Draft eligible players like Gilmore have until Jan. 16 to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft, and Gilmore says he’s likely best suited to remain in Baton Rouge for another year.
“I don’t know,” Gilmore said. “I come back, I get more film on tape, boost my draft stock. I can’t hurt it. And I think next year we’re going to be special, honestly. I think I’ll be better off coming back. I graduate in the spring.”
LSU junior wide receiver Malachi Dupre — who was reported to be headed toward the Draft by Tony Pauline on draftanalyst.com — said those reports were not accurate Tuesday.
“I’m undecided,” he said.
Dupre said he’s simply looking forward to LSU’s bowl game on Dec. 31 versus No. 13 Louisville. Leonard Fournette was the only draft-eligible junior to declare for the Draft thus far for LSU. Fournette announced earlier this week he has signed with an agency, Roc Nation Sports, forgoing his amateurism. He will not be able to travel with the team to the Citrus Bowl.
“My main objective right now is worrying about this team and beat Louisville,” Dupre added.
- Redshirt sophomore offensive guard Will Clapp said he will not declare for the Draft and will return for his junior season with the school.
- Junior quarterback Brandon Harris told fans on Twitter on Tuesday he will return to LSU for his senior season on Monday. A user on Twitter asked Harris, “What’s the plan for next yr bruh?” Harris responded, “I’ll be at LSU.”
Beckwith’s torn ACL
Senior linebacker Kendell Beckwith’s knee will keep him out of LSU’s bowl game and he’s not expected to play in the Senior Bowl, either.
His replacement at middle linebacker, junior Donnie Alexander, revealed Tuesday that Beckwith tore his ACL in the first quarter of LSU’s fourth loss to Florida on Nov. 19. Beckwith, a senior, has been rehabbing his knee in LSU’s training room, Alexander said.
A projected second- or third-round pick and the third-rated linebacker in this year’s class according to CBS Sports, the extent of Beckwith’s injury had not been revealed until Tuesday, roughly four months from LSU’s pro day in March. The NFL Draft is set for April 27-29.
