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Ed Orgeron offers his perspective on Derek Stingley Jr.’s struggles, the latest on Arik Gilbert, BJ Ojulari
By Keith Farner
Published:
LSU has had a tough week in terms of off-the-field issues surrounding players leaving the team, or rumors about further opt outs.
On the SEC coaches media teleconference on Wednesday, coach Ed Orgeron offered the latest on the Tigers, including Arik Gilbert and BJ Ojulari.
“Arik and I had a conversation yesterday, said he’s opting out… Yeah, I think we have a chance of getting him back,” Orgeron said. “Will he transfer? I don’t know that.”
Gilbert and Ojulari were high school teammates in Marietta, Georgia, and Orgeron said Ojulari is not opting out or leaving.
Star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is one LSU player who has struggled at times this season.
“I believe in Derek, he is an outstanding player, he will have a great career here and in the pros,” Orgeron said. “I think he is going to come back next year and have a great year.”
About the culture around his program, Orgeron added, “We have a great program here… we constantly watch for mental health issues, depression… I think our guys do a pretty good job of it.”
Orgeron hasn’t made a decision on the starting quarterback this week at Florida.
Since LSU is one of the few teams to play both Alabama and Florida, the SEC Championship Game opponents, Orgeron offered his perspective. He said they both have great offenses, including quarterbacks and wide receivers, as well as great game callers in Dan Mullen and Steve Sarkisian.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
