Avery Peterson has been trying to follow in his big brother’s footsteps at LSU for the past three years. However, Avery has been having a hard time just getting started on the steamy campus down in Baton Rouge.
He tried first in 2012, but his grades were not quite up to the standards demanded by Les Miles and LSU. Avery managed to get his grades up for 2013, but then he broke his ankle during the preseason prep and was out for another year.
As they say, the third time’s the charm, so Avery is set to give it his all for the 2014-2015 season with the Tigers. He will be listed as a red shirt freshman weighing in at 190 pounds and standing 6’2” and vying for the position of wide receiver on the team.
But Avery does kind of have a foot in the door with LSU football seeing as how he is the younger brother of Patrick Peterson who graduated LSU in 2010 and was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft as the 5th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals where he has had a stellar career.
Back when he played those three seasons for LSU, Patrick Peterson was generally considered the number one defensive back in the country. He won the Jim Thorpe and Chuck Bednarik awards and was named as a consensus first team All-American. Patrick recently signed a five year contract worth $70 million with the Arizona Cardinals making him the highest paid defensive back in the NFL.
Those are obviously some pretty big shoes to step into, but little brother Avery may just be up to the challenge. He will have some stiff competition just making the talented Tiger squad this year from the likes of Quantavius Leslie and Travin Dural who are both true freshmen and loaded with talent.
When Avery first tried to make the Tiger team back in 2012 he was rated the #42 receiver in the country out of Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida where Patrick also attend high school before being recruited by LSU as the number one corner back in the nation in 2008.
Coach Miles had this to say about young Avery, “He’s so improved. He’s big and strong and capable, and really he may be the fastest guy on our team.” Then Les added in his typical fashion, “And it comes to mind that there are three fastest guys on our team right now.” Oh Les, don’t ever change… and best of luck to Avery!
