Quick Football Notes; New Piece at Eye On The Tigers

FOOTBALL

Linebacker Shomari Clemons is apparently no longer on LSU's football team. Clemons, who was due to be a third year sophomore, was struggling to make an impact on the team. He will reportedly transfer to a smaller school where he can earn some playing time.

By my count, LSU needs to "lose" just 1 more player in order to get down to the NCAA mandated 85 scholarships. On that note, all of LSU's incoming freshman are expected to have no trouble qualifying academically with one exception. We're still waiting to receive word on 5-star safety Craig Loston (pictured). Before his last semester of school, Loston moved to Baton Rouge in efforts to focus on his academics. It's not that I'm hearing that Loston won't make it, it's just that I'm not hearing anything at all, and that is a tad concerning. The freshmen are due to report in early June and as of now, I'm guessing Loston won't be included in that group. If needed, he still has an opportunity to take the ACT one more time this summer.

For only the second time in LSU's history, a football jersey number will be retired. Tommy Cassanova's #37 will not be worn by another LSU Tiger. Cassanova is LSU's only 3-time All American. After leaving LSU, he enjoyed a successful NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, making the pro bowl 4 times. The other football jersey retired is Billy Cannon's #20. Other players or coaches with retired jerseys are Bob Pettit, Shaquille O'Neal, Pete Maravich, Rudy Macklin, Skip Bertman and Ben McDonald.


EYE ON THE TIGERS

I've got another piece up at Eye On The Tigers and you can check it out here. While you're at the site, you should definitely check out everything that's going on there. Former Tiger greats Patrick Coogan and Rick Greene are writing columns on LSU Baseball. The recruiting coverage is also about to ramp up and with the backing of ESPN, that is going to be top notch. They're still offering some pretty good specials, and I encourage you to take advantage of them.

RECRUITING

LSU verbally offered 2011 prospect, Evangel high school defensive end Jermauria Rasco. Rasco is one of the guys I alluded to yesterday that is a 5-star candidate in the loaded Class of 2011. Rasco led the nation and apparently tied a national record with 26 sacks as a sophomore. It's very early in the process, but LSU is in good shape for Rasco with Texas being the biggest competition.