Tinker:
Signing the right high school football player. Is of course a very important thing that a successful college football coach must keep doing. If he want to keep his head coaching job. But keeping the college football players from past recruiting classes, are just as important. To make winning a better bet in the highly competitive environment of college football today.
Keeping your juniors and seniors, and ( sinners ), are the heart of a great college football team. They are the final product coming from all the hard training that creates championship college football teams. Les Miles lost 11 juniors that went to the NFL this year. That is really not a good development for the LSU college football program.
Because if the players now playing on the LSU football team really felt like the fighting tiger present football team. Was going to play for all the marbles in this coming college football season. I feel like they would have stay around this LSU football season. To be a big part of that kind of success.
I am not very happy about coach Les Miles telling us that he think that the juniors leaving for the NFL. Is a good plus for our LSU football team. Les Miles is ether full of bull, or he is indeed not able to do anything about it?
Because the real truth is. No matter how I feel about the 11 juniors leaving for the NFL. That the junior playing college football today. Can hardly turn down the minimum Pro football salary of a half a million dollar a year. I mean please. $500 000 thousand dollars a year, speak for itself. So what I want the LSU juniors to do. Can hardly matter to their real world reality's.
Also twitter, and social network on Computers, Facebook, Cell Phones. Are now the HWY to how the high school football players are choosing where they want to go play college football. The rich keep getting richer, is true enough. But watch out for twitter social network in the future!?
The magic words in this high school recruiting class, is what Les Miles said, quote; "He again says that he recruited high-character"
--------------------------
Ain't it the Truth!?
from lsusports.net
LSUBillMartin .@MoClaiborne was 3-star recruit. 3 yrs later he won the @jimthorpeassoc Award and shook hands of Roger Goodell on stage in NYC. Hard work. about 1 minute ago · reply · retweet · favorite
LSUBillMartin Signing Day. I remember when @JacobHester22 was a 2-star recruit. Man did they miss that. 5-star heart, now iconic figure in @LSUfball lore
lsufootball_net
LSU Signing Day Team Rankings: 247 Sports (No. 7) | ESPN (No. 7) | Max
Preps (No. 5) | Rivals (No. 5) | Scout (No. 5)
Tiger_Rag
"This class is what we need." Miles says this class fits what his
team's needs were. He again says that he recruited high-character people
http://www.wafb.com/story/
Bayton Rouge, La.
Is Cameron LSU's next signing?
Posted: Feb 06, 2013 1:11 PM EST Updated: Feb 06, 2013 1:37 PM EST
Cameron could be added to the coaching staff to take over the reigns of a very experienced offense that hasn't lived up to expectations of Tigers fans.
Miles will speak to the media at four o'clock. 9Sports will have more on this developing story with spring practice slated to start in five weeks.
Read more...http://www.wafb.com/
---------------------------
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?
GeauxTigerNation: Life as recruiting coordinator
Holly
Rowe talks with LSU coach Frank Wilson about life as a recruiting
coordinator. Wilson says the defensive line in this class is what made
all the stress worthwhile.
Tags: Greg Gilmore, Frank Herron, Tashawn Bower, LSU Tigers, Frank Wilson, GeauxTigerNation, RecruitingNation, ESPN 150, high school football recruiting, National Signing Day
---------------------------Les Miles press conference
http://www.lsusports.net/
Free audio - Les Miles on our high school recruits today.
---------------------------
http://www.cbssports.com/
LSU's Miles embraces recruits with a three-year plan
By Jeremy Fowler | College Football Insider
February 6, 2013 4:41 pm ET
Losing a record 11 underclassmen to the 2013 NFL draft hurts LSU's depth chart.
But the way coach Les Miles sees it, the Tigers' recruiting just added another dimension.
More than he can ever remember, Miles was asked by players in the last month about his three-year plan. LSU's 28-player class ranks seventh nationally, according to 247Sports.com.
"I
hear that as I go through the home -- 'Coach, tell me about
three-and-out. Is that a goal of yours?' " Miles said. "I say yes, we
want to talk about it at the right time as long as it's through the lens
of getting a degree and being in the right position not only to being
drafted early but staying in the league."
The APR ramifications are inescapable when losing 11 players early, even with examples such as linebacker, Kevin Minter, an early departure who has his degree, according to Miles.
Miles said LSU expects to file paperwork with the NCAA so the mass NFL exodus is considered in the team's APR file.
Big-time programs have no choice but to embrace players eyeing an early draft declaration because that means they are corralling winning talent. It's hard to steer a player away from potentially several million dollars if the first round calls.
But Miles hopes his players are positioned to graduate early while landing a satisfactory draft grade.
"I think it's an advantage in the recruiting game," Miles said. "They have to play like Tigers in the fall."
Losing juniors sends two messages -- you can play early, and no position is safe. Michael Ford rushed 71 times in 2012 but left early. After all, that total wasn't increasing much with Jeremy Hill, a healthy Alfred Blue and Spencer Ware beefing up the backfield.
Losing 11 starters will affect leadership, Miles said. And last year's monstrous defensive line probably won't be as fierce.
But with several top-10 recruiting classes under Miles, elite athletes are waiting to see the field at LSU.
"I think our guys are bigger, faster, stronger," Miles said. "We play in a league that, simply put, brings it. It prepares you extremely well. We recruit NFL-caliber players, and they want the opportunity to be developed.
LSU's class includes two pro-style quarterbacks, five offensive linemen, five receivers, seven defensive linemen, two tight ends, three corners, a safety and three linebackers.
Miles wouldn't be surprised if he finds first-year starters out of that bunch.
"This would be a good time to come to LSU if you wanted to come onto the field as a true freshman," Miles said.
Recruiting stories: Did Les Miles ever tell you about the time he almost closed the deal with Junior Seau? Miles was a Colorado assistant in the '80s and almost persuaded Seau, the former USC and NFL star who committed suicide in May, to come to Boulder. Miles was one of head coach Bill McCartney's ace recruiters and was working the Seau trail.
Let's let Miles tell it:
"I recall it very vividly. He's a guy who bloomed late his senior year. Big, strong, capable guy. We were on him very early. There was a coaching change at USC and he visited Colorado. We had a couple of buddies of his from his area. He had already been in our campus. Fell in love with the place. Absolutely enjoyed it greatly. He said [on his visit] he was coming, it's that simple.
"I had visited the home, visited the school many times, we had a nice relationship. ... About the time we were talking, our point was going to be sometimes young men choose to grow, step away from being close to home, getting used to college life -- that style of thought. The father, in a beautiful way, said, 'You talk too much. My son is going to USC. I just want you to know.'
"From that point forward, I had a very hard time communicating with Junior Seau."
Miles thought about his recruiting relationship with Seau during the All-Pro's passing.
"Colorado really at the time was a fresh choice for him," Miles said. "Some mountains, and some different things. I think he and I got along. I enjoyed seeing him, and I think he enjoyed seeing me."
Tags: Alfred Blue, Jeremy Hill, Kevin Minter, Michael Ford, Spencer Ware, Colorado Buffaloes, LSU Tigers, NCAAF But the way coach Les Miles sees it, the Tigers' recruiting just added another dimension.
More than he can ever remember, Miles was asked by players in the last month about his three-year plan. LSU's 28-player class ranks seventh nationally, according to 247Sports.com.
| More on Signing Day |
| Analysis |
 |
| Related content |
Sumlin gathers top-10 class for the AggiesThe APR ramifications are inescapable when losing 11 players early, even with examples such as linebacker, Kevin Minter, an early departure who has his degree, according to Miles.
Miles said LSU expects to file paperwork with the NCAA so the mass NFL exodus is considered in the team's APR file.
Big-time programs have no choice but to embrace players eyeing an early draft declaration because that means they are corralling winning talent. It's hard to steer a player away from potentially several million dollars if the first round calls.
But Miles hopes his players are positioned to graduate early while landing a satisfactory draft grade.
"I think it's an advantage in the recruiting game," Miles said. "They have to play like Tigers in the fall."
Losing juniors sends two messages -- you can play early, and no position is safe. Michael Ford rushed 71 times in 2012 but left early. After all, that total wasn't increasing much with Jeremy Hill, a healthy Alfred Blue and Spencer Ware beefing up the backfield.
Losing 11 starters will affect leadership, Miles said. And last year's monstrous defensive line probably won't be as fierce.
But with several top-10 recruiting classes under Miles, elite athletes are waiting to see the field at LSU.
"I think our guys are bigger, faster, stronger," Miles said. "We play in a league that, simply put, brings it. It prepares you extremely well. We recruit NFL-caliber players, and they want the opportunity to be developed.
LSU's class includes two pro-style quarterbacks, five offensive linemen, five receivers, seven defensive linemen, two tight ends, three corners, a safety and three linebackers.
Miles wouldn't be surprised if he finds first-year starters out of that bunch.
"This would be a good time to come to LSU if you wanted to come onto the field as a true freshman," Miles said.
Recruiting stories: Did Les Miles ever tell you about the time he almost closed the deal with Junior Seau? Miles was a Colorado assistant in the '80s and almost persuaded Seau, the former USC and NFL star who committed suicide in May, to come to Boulder. Miles was one of head coach Bill McCartney's ace recruiters and was working the Seau trail.
Let's let Miles tell it:
"I recall it very vividly. He's a guy who bloomed late his senior year. Big, strong, capable guy. We were on him very early. There was a coaching change at USC and he visited Colorado. We had a couple of buddies of his from his area. He had already been in our campus. Fell in love with the place. Absolutely enjoyed it greatly. He said [on his visit] he was coming, it's that simple.
"I had visited the home, visited the school many times, we had a nice relationship. ... About the time we were talking, our point was going to be sometimes young men choose to grow, step away from being close to home, getting used to college life -- that style of thought. The father, in a beautiful way, said, 'You talk too much. My son is going to USC. I just want you to know.'
"From that point forward, I had a very hard time communicating with Junior Seau."
Miles thought about his recruiting relationship with Seau during the All-Pro's passing.
"Colorado really at the time was a fresh choice for him," Miles said. "Some mountains, and some different things. I think he and I got along. I enjoyed seeing him, and I think he enjoyed seeing me."
-------------------------
http://www.nola.com/
Greater New Orleans
Live updates of National Signing Day (nationwide)
Players across the country will make their college decisions today.
(Photo by Chris Granger, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
By
Amos Morale III, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on February 06, 2013 at 6:00 AM, updated February 06, 2013 at 6:24 AM
National Signing Day news
- Sergio Medina, others sign in St. Charles Parish
- McDonogh 35's Carlos Henderson signs with Louisiana Tech
- LSU gets National Signing Day surprise as Tashawn Bower chooses Tigers
- Miami Hurricanes make late scholarship offer to Easton linebacker Edward Williams
- Which SEC school will finish with the best class?
- Robert Nkemdiche kicks off National Signing Day by committing to Ole Miss
- National Signing Day news and features
- Live updates from Louisiana recruiting on National Signing Day
- Live updates of National Signing Day (nationwide)
- Live updates from Tulane recruiting on National Signing Day
Schools across the state, region and country have been working hard to bring in strong classes. LSU has commitments from some of the state's top players including Tre'Davious White, Kendell Beckwith, Jeryl Brazil and John Diarse. Tulane has also pulled in a strong class.
View a list of prospects and commitments HERE.
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune staff reporters will be posting updates until the last letter of intent is signed and faxed.
Recruiting analyst James Smith and Baton Rouge reporter Jerit Roser will be at the Bayou Bash in Baton Rouge Wednesday and will provide in-depth coverage of all things LSU recruiting.
Staffers will also be at signing ceremonies in the New Orleans area.
Stick with us for up-to-the minute National Signing Day coverage of LSU, Tulane and other schools in the region. Visit NOLA.com/recruiting for information on all the state's recruits. Read more...http://www.nola.com/
------------------
http://www.lsusports.net/
LSU sports.net
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| TIME | SIGNEE | POS. | HOMETOWN | HIGH SCHOOL (PREV. SCHOOL) | HT. | WT. | VIDEO | LIKE | |||||||||||
| 1. | Enrolled | John Diarse | WR | Monroe, La. | Neville HS | 6-1 | 205 |  |
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| 2. | Enrolled | Fehoko Fanaika * | OL | Sacramento, Calif. | Florin HS (College of San Mateo) | 6-6 | 340 | |
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| 3. | Enrolled | Anthony Jennings | QB | Marietta, Ga. | Marietta HS | 6-2 | 205 | |
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| 4. | Enrolled | Avery Johnson * | WR | Pompano Beach, Fla. | Ely HS | 6-1 | 180 | |
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| 5. | Enrolled | Christian LaCouture | DT | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Southwest HS | 6-5 | 290 | |
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| 6. | Enrolled | Ethan Pocic | OL | Lemont, Ill. | Lemont HS | 6-7 | 287 | |
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| 7. | Enrolled | Hayden Rettig | QB | Los Angeles, Calif. | Cathedral HS | 6-2 | 201 | |
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| 8. | Enrolled | Logan Stokes | TE | Muscle Shoals, Ala. | Muscle Shoals HS (NE Miss. CC) | 6-5 | 253 | |
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| 9. | 7:08 a.m. | Duke Riley | LB | New Orleans, La. | John Curtis HS | 6-1 | 205 | |
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| 10. | 7:10 a.m. | Lewis Neal | DE | Wilson N.C. | James B. Hunt HS | 6-1 | 234 | |
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| 11. | 7:13 a.m. | K.J. Malone | OL | Ruston, La. | Cedar Creek HS | 6-3 | 307 | |
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| 12. | 7:19 a.m. | Frank Herron | DE | Memphis, Tenn. | Memphis Central HS | 6-5 | 245 | |
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| 13. | 7:42 a.m. | DeSean Smith | TE | Lake Charles, La. | Barbe HS | 6-4 | 226 | |
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| 14. | 7:48 a.m. | Greg Gilmore | DT | Hope Mills, N.C. | South View HS | 6-4 | 275 | |
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| 15. | 8:07 a.m. | Andy Dodd | OL | Lindale, Ga. | Pepperell HS | 6-3 | 330 | |
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| 16. | 8:15 a.m. | Josh Boutte | OL | New Iberia, La. | Westgate HS | 6-4 | 324 | |
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| 17. | 8:27 a.m. | Quantavius Leslie | WR | Hogansville, Ga. | Callaway HS (Hinds CC) | 6-4 | 190 | |
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| 18. | 8:34 a.m. | Melvin Jones | LB | Lake Charles, La. | Washington-Marion HS | 6-3 | 245 | |
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| 19. | 8:41 a.m. | Kevin Spears | WR | New Orleans, La. | Holy Cross HS | 6-3 | 190 | |
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| 20. | 8:50 a.m. | Jeryl Brazil | ATH | Loranger, La. | Loranger HS | 5-9 | 181 | |
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| 21. | 8:59 a.m. | MJ Patterson | DE | Winnfield, La. | Winnfield HS | 6-2 | 218 | |
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| 22. | 9:05 a.m. | Rickey Jefferson | DB | Destrehan, La. | Destrehan HS | 5-10 | 187 | |
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| 23. | 9:10 a.m. | Kendell Beckwith | LB | Jackson, La. | East Feliciana HS | 6-3 | 225 | |
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| 24. | 9:15 a.m. | Tre'Davious White | DB | Shreveport, La. | Green Oaks HS | 5-10 | 170 | |
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| 25. | 10:13 a.m. | Rashard Robinson | DB | Pompano Beach, Fla. | Ely HS | 6-1 | 163 | |
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| 26. | 10:51 a.m. | Tashawn Bower | DE | Somerville, N.J. | Immaculata HS | 6-5 | 241 | |
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| 27. | 11:35 a.m. | Maquedius Bain | DT | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. | Univ. School of Nova Southeastern | 6-5 | 286 | |
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------------------
http://www.nola.com/
Greater New Orleans
Jeryl Brazil's world-class speed put him on fast track to LSU
Jeryl Brazil's lifelong dream has been to play for LSU.
By
Jim Rapier, The Times-Picayune
on February 06, 2013 at 1:00 AM, updated February 06, 2013 at 1:01 AM
He'll attend LSU and play football, which is what he says he's dreamed of doing. Though being recruited as a defensive back, he'd like to contribute carrying the ball as well, and LSU seems willing to let him do it.
Brazil would also like others to come for the ride -- as in other talented recruits, so he doesn't mind doing some recruiting, too.
If others care to join him, they'd better put on their running shoes to try and keep up with Brazil. He has a 4.32-second time in the 40-yard dash and recently just missed breaking former Tigers standout Trindon Holliday's 55-meter record at an indoor meet.
Brazil may be about to enter the starting blocks of his collegiate football career, but already he is picturing himself a few steps into it, such as the first time he steps onto the field in Tiger Stadium in an LSU uniform.
"It is a dream come true," said Brazil, a playmaker who played quarterback, running back, receiver and defensive back at Loranger but projects as defensive back at LSU. "I dreamt about it when I was little. I am fortunate to live my dreams. My first time out there (on the field in Tiger Stadium), I will be proud of myself and everybody that supported me. You have to take advantage of your opportunities."
Brazil (5 feet 10, 185 pounds) views his opportunities at LSU as a two-fold proposition.
First, Brazil didn't just decide to take advantage of playing for a top-notch program, he decided to enhance it. Any chance he got to bend the ear of recruits and potential teammates at LSU he used. He has found targets in-state and at the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game in Florida.
Brazil has been aggressively selling his home state and LSU.
"I feel I can tell people how I feel. I never sell false hopes or dreams," he said. "They (recruits) seem to trust me, and I can give them perspective about LSU being from Louisiana and tell them about the benefits."
Second, the opportunity to play for LSU and the benefits of how the coaching staff plans to utilize his talents helped erase any late doubts he may have had when other schools made a final press to snag his pledge from the Tigers.
"They've (LSU) produced many great defensive backs in the past few years," he said. "I feel at home and comfortable there with players, everybody and the coaching staff. It's where I want to be."
That, Brazil said, was a feeling he has had for some time, and then the coaches upped the ante for a player who has also flourished on offense in high school.
"In high school I preferred playing running back, because I like the football in my hands," Brazil said. "Coach (Les) Miles and I talked about it. I can play some nickel back and they also want to give me the ball on offense."
Still, Brazil is keeping it in perspective. He's a competitor, so playing anywhere for the Tigers as soon as possible is the immediate goal.
"I will just be happy to get on the field in the first year," he said. "That's how I feel. From the looks of it, my primary position will be at defensive back."
"I am really excited. Like the program."
It's that belief in LSU and the relationship with the coaches that has made talking up LSU to recruits an easy task.
The magnitude of the decision isn't lost on Brazil, but he doesn't' need another visit to LSU to find out about his future home for the next few years. He said he has no doubts, and it's time to see some dreams come true.
"It is an important decision," he said. "You need to know what you're getting into before signing that piece of paper."
Recruiting analyst James Smith on Jeryl Brazil
Strengths: Brazil is the fastest high school player that will ever suit up at LSU. He possesses world-class speed, but there is a lot more to his game. His ball skills, lateral quickness and strength are also very good. When he is on offense and the ball is in his hands, his vision, burst and speed make him a threat at all times. He runs with good balance and possesses good natural vision. This dual-threat athlete has also shown a lot of promise at cornerback as well, although he is very raw at the position. When in press coverage, he does a good job shooting his hands and using his upper-body strength to battle on the line of scrimmage.
Breakdown: The first time Brazil steps on the field at LSU will likely be as a return man because his speed and ability to take it to the house is literally second to none. Regardless what position he plays, his speed and explosiveness will allow him to get on the field and make an impact early and often for the Tigers.
---------------------------
http://www.lsureveille.com/
Reveille
Construction University experiencing unprecedented development
Projects funded through state appropriations, grants and self-generated revenue
- Roger Husser
- “Depending on how they prioritize things, sometimes we’ll get these large projects even though we’re in budget crises."
Gabrielle Braud | 0 comments
Posted on
February 5, 2013
In the midst of continuous budget cuts to higher education,
the University is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth in
terms of construction, according to Roger Husser, director of Planning,
Design and Construction for Facility Services.
The various projects around campus are either privately funded or funded by self-generated revenue, grants or appropriations designated specifically for capital outlay projects, said Ken Courtade, manager of the Office of Campus Planning.
“The state appropriates funding for specific projects on a project-by-project basis,” Husser said. “Depending on how they prioritize things, sometimes we’ll get these large projects even though we’re in budget crises.”
Husser said the Tiger Stadium renovation and expansion, overseen by the Tiger Athletic Foundation, is the most expensive project the University has ever seen.
The Tiger Stadium South Expansion will cost roughly $70 million, funded by a $100 million bond that TAF has taken for the stadium construction. This bond will also assist with the construction of a new tennis facility and a new gymnastics facility, according to Senior Associate Athletic Director Eddie Nunez.
The UREC Expansion and Redesign will be the second-most expensive, followed by the construction of a new residential hall in the Hart Lot, Husser said.
The $65 million residential hall project includes the construction of two residential halls, only one of which will be built in the upcoming Hart Lot project, Husser said.
Husser said construction on a second residential hall is still a few years away.
Recently completed projects at the University include the Business Education Complex and Choppin Hall Annex, both funded by the state, along with Barnes & Noble at LSU and the parking garage.
Current construction on campus includes the Tiger Stadium renovation and expansion; the $20 million Animal and Food Science Lab building, funded by the state; the $15.5 million renovation of Annie Boyd Hall, funded by revenue bonds; and the Louisiana Digital Media Center.
The Louisiana Digital Media Center is approximately a $24 million project funded primarily by the state, including $3 million from a federal grant from the Economic Development Administration, said Arthur Cooper, executive director of the Louisiana Emerging Technologies Center.
The 97,000 square-foot facility, located next to the LETC on Stadium Drive and East Parker Boulevard, will house the University’s Center for Computing and Technology (CCT) on the first and second floors and EA Sports on the third floor. The first floor will include a coffee shop, a digital media auditorium, classrooms and conference rooms.
Cooper said the purpose of the facility is to stimulate interaction between students and EA Sports. It is scheduled to be completed by March 15.
Upcoming construction projects for spring 2013 include the start of the $84.75 million UREC Expansion and Redesign, the Faculty Club Hotel renovation, additional Kirby Smith Hall renovations and phase two of the office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation’s Easy Streets project, which will aim to make campus more pedestrian and bike friendly.
The construction of the new residential hall in the Hart Lot is expected to begin in June and will take two years to complete.
Projects still in the planning and design phase include the $6.2 million River Modeling Facility, the $15 million renovation of the engineering shops and the $5.6 million French House renovations.
Husser said these projects have received state funding for planning and design, but are awaiting state funding for construction.
The various projects around campus are either privately funded or funded by self-generated revenue, grants or appropriations designated specifically for capital outlay projects, said Ken Courtade, manager of the Office of Campus Planning.
“The state appropriates funding for specific projects on a project-by-project basis,” Husser said. “Depending on how they prioritize things, sometimes we’ll get these large projects even though we’re in budget crises.”
Husser said the Tiger Stadium renovation and expansion, overseen by the Tiger Athletic Foundation, is the most expensive project the University has ever seen.
The Tiger Stadium South Expansion will cost roughly $70 million, funded by a $100 million bond that TAF has taken for the stadium construction. This bond will also assist with the construction of a new tennis facility and a new gymnastics facility, according to Senior Associate Athletic Director Eddie Nunez.
The UREC Expansion and Redesign will be the second-most expensive, followed by the construction of a new residential hall in the Hart Lot, Husser said.
The $65 million residential hall project includes the construction of two residential halls, only one of which will be built in the upcoming Hart Lot project, Husser said.
Husser said construction on a second residential hall is still a few years away.
Recently completed projects at the University include the Business Education Complex and Choppin Hall Annex, both funded by the state, along with Barnes & Noble at LSU and the parking garage.
Current construction on campus includes the Tiger Stadium renovation and expansion; the $20 million Animal and Food Science Lab building, funded by the state; the $15.5 million renovation of Annie Boyd Hall, funded by revenue bonds; and the Louisiana Digital Media Center.
The Louisiana Digital Media Center is approximately a $24 million project funded primarily by the state, including $3 million from a federal grant from the Economic Development Administration, said Arthur Cooper, executive director of the Louisiana Emerging Technologies Center.
The 97,000 square-foot facility, located next to the LETC on Stadium Drive and East Parker Boulevard, will house the University’s Center for Computing and Technology (CCT) on the first and second floors and EA Sports on the third floor. The first floor will include a coffee shop, a digital media auditorium, classrooms and conference rooms.
Cooper said the purpose of the facility is to stimulate interaction between students and EA Sports. It is scheduled to be completed by March 15.
Upcoming construction projects for spring 2013 include the start of the $84.75 million UREC Expansion and Redesign, the Faculty Club Hotel renovation, additional Kirby Smith Hall renovations and phase two of the office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation’s Easy Streets project, which will aim to make campus more pedestrian and bike friendly.
The construction of the new residential hall in the Hart Lot is expected to begin in June and will take two years to complete.
Projects still in the planning and design phase include the $6.2 million River Modeling Facility, the $15 million renovation of the engineering shops and the $5.6 million French House renovations.
Husser said these projects have received state funding for planning and design, but are awaiting state funding for construction.
MAP OF LSU CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
More about Construction
-----------------------------
Posted: Tue February 5, 2013 2:44PM; Updated: Tue February 5, 2013 3:47PM
Stewart Mandel>INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Four-star quarterback Shane Morris (12) has maintained his commitment to Michigan since May 2011.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon SMI
Signing Day 2013
News and analysis from SI.com
- GLICKSMAN: Top Signing Day storylines
- MANDEL: Forecasting future of recruiting
- FENG: What do recruiting rankings predict?
- MANDEL: Texas A&M now a recruiting force
- STAPLES: 'Bama spearheads new RB reality
- GLICKSMAN: QBs set to make early impact
- MANDEL: Michigan recruiting at elite level
- STAPLES: Liner headlines All-Name Team
- BAUMGAERTNER: Immediate impact DBs
- MANDEL: NCAA changes could spark chaos
- Rivals100: Top recruits in the class of 2013
- Team-by-team '13 commitment breakdown
Photos & Videos
ESPNU, which will once again deliver all-day coverage of college football's annual offseason Christmas, must be incredibly grateful for No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche and five-star defensive tackles Montravius Adams and Eddie Vanderdoes. They are among the rare blue-chippers who have perpetuated the mystery of their college decisions long enough to announce on national television.
In reality, just 11 of Rivals.com's top 100 players enter Signing Day still unaffiliated (though, inevitably, a few will provide 11th-hour switches). Similarly, just less than 11 percent of the Rivals250 have yet to announce their commitment.
Imagine watching Election Day coverage with 89 percent of the precincts already reporting. Imagine beginning a movie that's already 89 percent of the way through. That's essentially what the vast majority of the non-recruiting junkie/message-board subscribing public will do all day on Wednesday.
GLICKSMAN: Burning questions for Signing Day '13
While recruiting is the lifeblood of college football programs and a source of endless fascination among the sport's most obsessive fans, the actual ritual of Signing Day is becoming as antiquated as the fax machines still used to deliver National Letters of Intent. Of course, Signing Day is still huge for schools and their coaches as they celebrate officially completed 2013 classes. But that is mostly a function of longstanding NCAA rules that prohibit schools and coaches from discussing recruits at the time they commit. If they did, there'd be almost nothing left to talk about by the first Wednesday in February.
That's especially true considering most recruits made their decisions long before Wednesday -- the majority six to 12 months earlier, in fact. About 70 percent of Rivals' top-rated players will sign with a school they committed to before last season. Many find the annual Signing Day dog-and-pony show of baseball caps and jerseys hidden beneath other jerseys absurd, but even so: Why will five-star offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil get those 15 seconds of fame on Wednesday, but not top-10 prospect Kenny Bigelow, who committed to USC back in November 2011? Why won't there be any showcase for recruits like Shane Morris, the Michigan-bound quarterback who has stuck with the Wolverines for nearly two years? (Morris committed the spring of his sophomore year.)
"This year was by far the most early commitments we've seen," said Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell. "The process has been sped up and this will only speed it up further."
Indeed, by this time a year or two from now, that 11 percent figure will probably be even lower. The NCAA's recently deregulated recruiting rules have opened the floodgates to virtually unlimited contact -- starting at an even earlier date -- between coaches and top prospects. While this may lead to more chaos, with coaches recruiting other school's committed players even more relentlessly than they already do, many coaches and analysts also believe more recruits will shut down the process earlier due to fatigue. By the time we get to the formality of Signing Day 2015, coaches will have long since moved on to targeting the 2016 and '17 classes. With so few undecided recruits left to pick baseball caps, ESPNU's coverage may be reduced to seven hours of simply reading off lists of names.
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SI.com's Stewart Mandel and Ben Glicksman discuss which current recruits could have an immediate impact next fall.
Based on Infante's interpretation, schools will now theoretically be able to dispatch assistants to players' hometowns and lavish them with school gear (the same sweatshirts and jerseys afforded their players) to wear during a Signing Day Google Hangout with fans. Heck, prospects within driving distance of campus can show up and flank their new coach behind the dais at his Signing Day press conference. School publicists who previously had no interaction with signees until the first day of fall camp can line up national radio and TV interviews to sing their new school's praises. Signing Day will become Signing Week.
This is extra silly, as the overwhelming majority of these recruits easily could have done the same thing six months earlier if they hadn't been forced to wait for an arbitrary Wednesday in February. Coaches know that. That's why the vast majority of those involved thinks there should be a second Signing Day.
For nearly a decade there's been a quiet but persistent sentiment to institute an early signing period like the ones in most other NCAA sports. Basketball has one in November. Most elite recruits sign then, not in April, and thus basketball coaches, unlike football coaches, aren't forced to spend time during their season fending off suitors for committed recruits.
The AFCA formally proposed an early signing period in 2009, reportedly supported by 73 percent of FBS coaches. The date would have been the third week of December. The commissioners soundly rejected it.
"It's frustrating when it seems like a piece of legislation that seemingly everyone's in favor of cant get passed, then a piece of leg where [the coaches are] split goes through," said an FBS head coach.
Not only is it time to revisit that discussion, but it's time to revisit the proposed date. The early signing period should occur in August, not December.
Past opposition to an early signing date involved a variety of concerns: that the big-money programs would be given greater advantage; that schools would sign prospects before seeing their first-semester senior year grades; and, of course, that recruits might feel rushed to make a decision.
First of all, the NCAA has now conceded it's futile to try to legislate the haves and have-nots aspect to recruiting. The academic aspect is a legitimate concern, even more so if recruits start signing before their senior years begin. But players would sign knowing they still have maintain their grades to receive a scholarship, and an increasing number already take it one step farther, putting in the work to graduate a semester early.
But as for recruits feeling rushed -- that horse has left the barn. By the time most elite prospects reach their senior year of high school, they've already taken unofficial visits to most of their eventual finalists; participated in camps there; and developed relationships with the coaches. As noted above, 70 percent of recruits have already made up their minds by their senior year. Why not end the faux suspense then?
"If [the NCAA] had come out and said we're wiping out all these [contact] rules they passed, but we're instituting an early signing period at the end of August, then I think you're OK," said Farrell. "If you want to control how much these kids get bothered, shut it down early."
Certainly, there should still be room for "late bloomers" who don't fully emerge until their senior seasons. Perhaps the NCAA could cap the number of early signees per school at 15. And there should definitely be an opt-out included in each National Letter of Intent should a respective school's coach leave or get fired. That doesn't mean entire signed classes will suddenly defect. In fact, that rarely happens now at schools with coaching changes even when there's nothing binding prospects from looking elsewhere.
An August signing period would benefit recruits (who will be free to relax and enjoy their senior seasons), coaches (who can focus entirely on undecided prospects) and athletic department bean counters (fewer flights/hotels/car rentals for babysitting visits). Seemingly the only people who would suffer are those who depend on TV ratings or page views generated from one officially designated day for recruiting drama.
But those who follow recruiting closely know the drama happens 365 days a year. They know that while Rivals won't name its No. 1 class for 2013 until end of day Wednesday, the general hierarchy for this cycle's rankings was largely decided months ago. But most of all, they know the recruits who announced their decisions in 2012 are just as important as those who will hog the spotlight on Signing Day 2013.
The first Wednesday in February has never been less reflective of the actual recruiting process. It's a celebration of the final 11 percent. Naturally, it only seems primed to get bigger.
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| ESPN 104.5 | .mp3 Audio (19 min, 14 sec): Interview w/ NFL analyst Mike Detillier |
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