One last time.
Saturday marks the final time that 15 LSU seniors will take the field in Tiger Stadium. For Jai Eugene, it will cap a roller coaster of a career.
The former Destrehan High School standout and one-time Michigan commitment ultimately chose to stay close to home and his newborn son to play college football.
Eugene was rated a five-star prospect and the No. 1 cornerback in the country by Scout.com. He spent his first years as a Tiger watching from the sideline behind Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon, waiting for his turn.
After four years as a cornerback, the coaching staff asked Eugene, a senior, to move to safety, a position he had never played. He didn’t bat an eye. It was an opportunity to stay on the field.
Early in the year, his role changed once again.
The Tigers have played five freshmen in the defensive backfield in 2010, and Eugene was called upon to guide the youngsters.
“He’s looked at those young players as guys that he can help mentor,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “He does a great job in helping [defensive backs] coach [Ron] Cooper and helping the young guys learn exactly what we need to have learned.”
Junior cornerback Patrick Peterson has played alongside Eugene for three seasons at LSU. Even though Peterson grabs the majority of the headlines, he knows who the leader of the pack is.
“The old head Jai, he brings a lot to the team. He knows the defense, he knows where guys have to be, he knows the checks,” Peterson said. “This game is going to be very, very special for Jai. This secondary has a little surprise for him Saturday, so I just can’t wait to see him go out there with his football before the game.”
Freshman Eric Reid has played in every game thus far for the Tigers. Eugene’s presence in practice and in games has been huge for the young safety.
“Jai knows everything,” Reid said with a smile. “He knows, I think, every position out there at DB. If he has to be somewhere, he’ll do that and tell me to make sure I have my head on straight.”
Eugene has embraced his role as the father of the secondary.
“I’m something like a coach-player,” Eugene said. “I’m there from a corner standpoint and safety. I’ve been around great players who have been here before like LaRon [Landry] and Jessie Daniels and Chevis.”
The fatherly role comes naturally. Eugene has juggled his football career with being a father off the field. His son, Jai Jr., is now 5 years old and playing football himself.
Eugene got emotional speaking about his son and the responsibility of being a father while playing college football.
“It’s been a great experience, being a role model for him and a leader, being a hero to him,” Eugene said.
When his name is called before the game, Eugene expects a very emotional four hours in Death Valley.
“I’ll cry. I’ll do the basic, I’m going to cry,” Eugene said. “I hope the game lasts forever because it’s my last time. I’m going to cherish every second of it.”
Though the path has been a bumpy one with unexpected obstacles, Eugene wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’ve had a great career here. I don’t regret any moment of it,” he said. “I don’t regret my decision coming here. It was the best decision for me, my son and my family. I’ve loved it. I’ve been around a great staff and great players.”
Eugene was asked Monday what he would miss most. For the man who is famous for having a white towel in his hand, the answer was easy.
“The fans,” he said. “Staying in tune with the fans, electrifying with the fans and having a connection with them — that’s what I’ll miss most.”
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Contact Hunt Palmer at [email protected]