Ad Disclosure
Ed Orgeron comments on LSU’s emphasis of signing 10 linemen in early signing period
By Keith Farner
Published:
LSU coach Ed Orgeron was pleased with the Tigers’ signing class, which he expects to reach 21 players by the end of the first early signing period.
Orgeron noted that the program held on to all of its offensive line recruits during the transition from assistant coaches Jeff Grimes to James Cregg. Linemen in particular were a point of emphasis as the Tigers signed 10 players who are on the offensive or defensive line. Orgeron said he expects LSU to sign another running back, and maybe two more. Overall, eight or nine players are expected to be mid-year enrollees.
“We evaluated every one of these guys,” Orgeron said in a press conference with reporters. “We know what they can do, we know their potential. Obviously Louisiana first. We’re excited we signed six guys from north Louisiana.”
Orgeron said you always worry about assistant coaches leaving, but head coaches must have a backup, and Cregg was a backup plan, if needed.
“I thought it worked smooth, but it shows Coach Jeff Grimes’ character,” Orgeron said.
Orgeron smiled when a question came about the early signing period dynamic, and added that he’s against it, like many other coaches, and he thinks it’s unfair.
“But it’s the rule, so we have to take advantage of it,” he said. “I thought our staff did a tremendous job of taking advantage of it. Now that it’s over, I’m glad that it’s over. I think we had a good plan, took advantage of the plan, and executed very well. We could have signed three or four more guys, and we didn’t want to do that. We have three or four slots in the next four or five guys that we sign, and we have to go after those guys, and those are key guys to our class.”
Orgeron was asked about player ratings, and he named several former players who had better careers than their high school star rating would suggest. He also said there was nothing to be disappointed about.
“Don’t worry about the guys you missed, worry about the guys you got and make sure they can play,” Orgeron said. “I feel good about all these guys. … I see a vision down the road where each one of these guys fit in, and fit some needs, whether they’re a 3-star or 2-star, I didn’t care. I knew what we needed. I saw them play. I knew we could develop them with our coaching staff, and I think some of them will be some really good players.”
Here are the LSU signees in the early signing period:
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
