Lonn Phillips Sullivan
Dec 23, 20214 min
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
- During ESPN 104.5's Off The Bench, LSU Legend Jacob Hester announced that the team has just 51 current players ready for the Tax Act Texas Bowl, slated to start on January 4th.
This comes after news of Damone Clark and Neil Farrell Jr both opting out of the game in order to begin their NFL Draft preparations out in California.
Joining these two recent departures are WRs Trey Palmer, Deion Smith and Koy Moore all entering the transfer portal, while QB Max Johnson left for A&M.
Even though QB Myles Brennan also entered the portal just a month ago, he has now returned to the team. Yes, he is academically eligible, however his broken humerus hasn't healed enough for him to play any part in the Texas Bowl, as he confirmed during an interview with Off the Bench.
Now, we wait and wonder who else could follow out the door and potentially put LSU in a dangerous forfeit scenario, much like Texas A&M just suffered.
If LSU lose both Ty Davis-Price and Cordale Flott to opt outs ahead of January 4th, it could topple our roster into the red....perhaps this is why there have been delayed announcements from both TDP or Flott.
I can tell you, as of Tuesday from a source close to Ty's own family, that Shea Dixon's report on Geaux 247 "is a lie" about Ty "joining his teammate out West" for NFL Draft preparations.
That's probably because the decision hasn't been fully made yet, despite the direction he could be leaning toward.
- I've heard solid sourced rumors of a few high profile Tiger names who are considering entering the transfer portal, yet I'm wary to report any names officially due to the sensitivity of the situation, being that these announcements should usually come from the players themselves, rarely reporters....
I can tell you one is a running back and another is a receiver, though both names may not be who you initially suspect.
- I can also tell you that DBU Mastermind Jay Ward is mulling a move to the NFL, foregoing his senior season; but right now, regardless of his decision concerning the NFL, Ward is set to start for the Tigers in Houston, as he told me on Wednesday afternoon.
- I can tell you, as we reported earlier on Wednesday, Cal transfer OL McKade Mettauer is being targeted by LSU's new assistant and recruiting powerhouse Brian Polian.
McKade, the older brother of big time 2024 LSU target Mabrey Mettauer, started the last 28 consecutive games for the Golden Bears and is one of the premier veteran OL names in the portal.
The Woodlands area native is also being heavily pursued by Oklahoma's Bill Bedenbaugh, who look to be in pole position for his signature.....yet I feel LSU have a solid chance to grab another major offensive line piece to 2022's rebuilding puzzle.
With a bunch of longtime OL Tiger vets graduating or going pro (Deculus, Hines, Ingram, Shanahan among others), while a handful of LSU's upperclassmen look to be prime contributors only needing direction (Dellinger, Martinez, Dumervil, Hill, Turner) as a slew of young, talented new bloods arrive on campus for next season (Campbell, Jones, West, Bordelon, Frazier), OL Coach Brad Davis understands he will need all the veteran leadership he can find in order to seal his vision.
- I'm continually hearing that both Cincinnati offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and Kansas City Chiefs' LB Coach Matt House are being considered for the OC and DC positions at LSU, now both held by Jake Peetz and Daronte Jones, respectively.
I think the likelihood is these two either already agreed or LSU has moved on; no matter what, Brian Kelly and Scott Woodward's team are moving in stealth regarding these two hires, confounding the media and driving the Tigers fan base stark raving mad for an update.
I believe Denbrock fits the bill, as for House, we'll have to see....I haven't been able to get legit info on House, as I have throughout the process of vetting my Denbrock sources.
Logically, we won't find out until January anyway....but who knows, we can always hope for a late December bonus Christmas gift.
- Tiger fans need to watch out for the transfer portal, not only for a few more LSU players heading out, but more so concerning targets for Brian Kelly's new regime.
Already picking up Ohio State's big time prize Miles Frazier and pulling Myles Brennan back from the ledge is a complete and utterly fantastic way to start life in the Kelly-era transfer portal, following up a great spell for the Tigers since the portal opened.
Heisman winning #1 overall pick Joe Burrow, all time LSU Legend Cole Tracy, National Champion and day 1 NFL starter Damien Lewis, 4th round Draft pick Jabril Cox, and Clemson's national title winner Mike Jones Jr to name just a few successful players LSU have picked up since the transfer era began.
Expect that to continue as Kelly looks for answers to LSU's roster issues, with Albany DE Jared Verse being another main pursuit.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
SHOUTOUTS: SCOTT LUKAFORD PRESTITUDE, MY MAN!!! AUTHOR OF "NAKED TAPESTRIES OF THANKLESSNESS"