Southern Pigskin: 2011 NFL Draft Prospects in the SEC West

I've got a new piece up on Southern Pigskin which discusses the top NFL prospects in the SEC West for next year.  I think you'll enjoy the read.  Check it out here. 

Can't Make Fun of Ole Miss This Year; Recruiting Tidbits

First off, I apologize for not getting an update out since last Tuesday.  I simply haven't been able to get one done.  So I'm playing a little catch up today. 

BASEBALL

LSU unexpectedly got swept this weekend by Ole Miss. Each game was close, and the Tigers battled hard. They simply came up a little short each time. The three losses take LSU out of the driver's seat, and maybe out of the car entirely, in their efforts to earn a National Top-8 seed. LSU now sits with an 11-7 SEC record and a 32-9 overall record. Arkansas leads the SEC West at 13-5 while South Carolina leads the SEC at 14-4.

LSU has another difficult series on the road at Florida this weekend. But after that, the schedule lightens up a bit, and the Tigers could make a run.

Getting swept at Ole Miss is not the end of the world, but the Tigers are going to have to really step up in order to get back into contention to host a Super Regional. Ole Miss had been struggling, and their backs were against the wall in the SEC race. They obviously responded well. LSU now has their backs against the wall, and we'll see how they respond against Florida. 
 

FOOTBALL

 

Incoming freshman safety / wide receiver Tharold Simon (pictured) has reportedly made a qualifying ACT score and will be academically cleared to enroll at LSU in the fall. Simon was one of the stars of LSU's signing class, and he was also one of the bigger academic question marks. It's great news to hear that he'll be in the mix this fall.
 
RECRUITING
 
LSU hosted a surprise visitor over the weekend when Florida defensive tackle Tim Jernigan was on caompus. Rated the #1 DT and #2 overall player in nation according to Scout.com, Jernigan hails from Lake City, FL which is just west of Jacksonville.


A group of high profile Louisiana prospects participated in a 7-on-7 tournament in Tuscaloosa, AL over the weekend. The Louisiana team included prospects Odell Beckham, Jr., Ryan Byrd, Darren Kitchen, and quarterback Stevie Douglas. After a very strong showing at the Baton Rouge Nike camp last week, Beckham again impressed everyone in attendance. Some say that he was the best looking player at the entire event. Beckham may project better as a defensive back, but for now he maintains that he prefers receiver. At this point, it appears that Beckham could excel at either position.

Late last week, Texas defensive end Cedric Reed committed to Texas. LSU was recruiting Reed and even though Reed chose the Longhorns, his decision stands to benefit LSU. Texas plans to take just one defensive end in the Class of 2011 and with Reed on board, they won't be recruiting any others. Evangel High standout Jermauria Rasco has recently stated that LSU and Texas stood out as his leaders. Reed's decision should significantly help LSU's chances of signing Rasco. I suspect that Alabama will be a major player for Rasco as well before its all said and done. 

Baseball Rolls In Shreveport; Football Loses Two

BASEBALL

LSU played Northwestern State in Shreveport on Tuesday night and rapped out 15 hits on the way to a 14-3 victory.  LSU took control of the game in the second inning with an Austin Nola home run and never looked back.  Nola was a single short of hitting for the cycle and his his third home run of the season.   Micah Gibbs, Wet Delatte, Johnny Dishon, and Tyler Hanover all had at least a pair of hits in the win. 

With Mikie Mahtook out of the lineup, Matt Gaudet played left field.  Wet Delatte started at third base while Grant Dozar was behind the plate and Micah Gibbs was the designated hitter.  Gibbs is now batting .414. 

Daniel Bradshaw started the game for the Tigers and pitched well.  He pitched five innings, struck our four, and allowed just one earned run.  It's good to see Bradshaw pitch well, and it would be nice if he could get back on track. 

LSU plays Northwestern State again Wednesday night at Alex Box stadium.  The Tigers are now 31-6 on the season. 

FOOTBALL

Tigerbait.com has reported that receiver Jhyrn Taylor and offensive lineman Thomas Parsons will not return to LSU's football team in 2010 due to medical reasons.  It's still rumored that offensive lineman Cordian Hagans may not return as well.  If Hagans is part of the attrition, then LSU will only be one scholarship over the limit if all the freshmen are eligible.