LSU Tigers fans were both very proud and very sad on NFL Draft day. The Tigers sent 16 players off of last year’s team to the pros. It was an amazing accomplishment for any college football program. 16 guys gone to the NFL. But wait a minute what about next year?
Seldom has a college football program taken such a hit on draft day. Nine players went in the regular draft with an additional 7 going as free agents that same evening.
As predicted, Barkevious Mingo was the first LSU player drafted in 2013. He went to the Cleveland Browns as the #6 pick followed by Free Safety Eric Reid, the #18 pick, who went to the 49ers.
Linebacker Kevin Minter went to the Cardinals in the second round as pick #45 and then in the third round pick #67 was Defensive Tackle Bennie Logan and #69 was Tiger bad boy Tyrann Mathieu, the most relived person on the planet that day, who was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals thanks to the influence of former Tiger All-Star Patrick Peterson. Lots of folks are pulling for you Tyrann, including my Mother, so, don’t let them down.
Also taken in the third round was Defensive End Sam Montgomery who will move over to Houston and play ball for the Texans next year.
In the fifth round, at #138, Tiger Cornerback Tharold Simon went to the Seattle Seahawks closely followed at #142 by Defensive End Lavar Edwards who will play next year for the Tennessee Titans.
In the sixth round explosive Running Back Spencer Ware was drafted by Seattle as the 194th pick.
The surprise to many Tiger fans came when they woke up to read in the morning paper that no less than an additional 7 LSU players had found work in the NFL as free agents. Wasn’t losing 9 guys enough?
Defensive End Chancey Aghayere went to the Seahawks, Tight End Chase Clement went to the Giants and Offensive Guard Chris Faulk went to the Browns.
The Chicago Bears came out winners by picking formidable Center P.J. Lonergan and versatile running back Michael Ford. The Philadelphia Eagles got great value when they signed Wide Receiver Russell Shepard and whiz-kid Australian Punter Brad Wing.
LSU Head Coach Les Miles surely has a new crop of big guys to replace all these big guys doesn’t he?
