Ed Orgeron shares his opt-out conversation with Terrace Marshall, impact the decision has on program
By Keith Farner
Published:
LSU lost its best player over the weekend when star WR Terrace Marshall decided to opt out of the season and prepare for the NFL Draft.
Coach Ed Orgeron at his Monday press conference explained how the conversation went with Marshall and its impact on the program. Orgeron said Marshall talked with him yesterday morning and it was a difficult meeting because they have a close relationship.
“It was different between a player and coach, between me and Terrace are almost like family,” Orgeron said. “He came and talked to me like a man, he explained his decision. I respected his decision.”
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior said he will enter the NFL Draft, where he is expected to be selected in the early rounds.
Marshall’s departure was surprising because it came less than two weeks after he gave a speech in a players-only meeting to bring the team together before its 27-24 win at Arkansas. Orgeron said he’s not concerned about the morale of the team following Marshall’s speech because it’s out of the team’s control. Orgeron didn’t see the opt out coming, but he vows to stay positive and flexible in an ever-changing year.
Orgeron added that he thinks Marshall’s move will help LSU in the future.
“I’d like us to get Arik Gilbert the ball more,” Orgeron said. “I think Arik Gilbert is an outstanding player, we can move him out to receiver position. Jontre Kirklin is sitting in the wings. Hopefully we can get Trey Palmer back, I don’t think Racey McMath is going to be back this week. Then we have two great young receivers in Kayshon Boutte and Koy Moore. So we have a lot of guys that are hungry to catch the ball, and I think the next man up is going to prove that they’re very good receivers.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
