I keep hearing how we are in great shape with most of the Louisiana kids except for Joe McKnight. What exactly is the problem there?

I think he wants to go to the West Coast, which makes a tough task for LSU to convince him to stay here... That's all I know about it.

I don't think we're in bad shape with him, just that we don't have the inherent advantage with him that we have with most in-state recruits.

I guess the "West Coast" means USC. Let him go.

Dandy Don also said Alex Williams was a question mark? Anyone know what's the problem with him?

If we followed that strategy, we wouldn't have Marcus Spears, Michael Clayton, or Jai Eugene...

Were you also one of the idiots (no offense to those who were - you aren't necessarily idiots, but that was an idiotic opinion) saying to pull Keiland's scholarship offer?

Coaches don't just let talents like this go. If they leave despite our best efforts to convince him otherwise, fine. But you don't just give up hope because he has an initial interest in another school.

Exactly. And just because a kid would like to go out of state doesn't mean there is a problem with him and LSU. Many players around the nation just want to get out of town and experience other things. We get the benefit of that with many of the out of state guys we've signed.

McKnight has mentioned in the past that he was looking at leaving the state--much like that top Safety prospect out of GA this year (Reshad Jones)...So I think that's the source.

Hopefully, McKnight's situation ends up being the same as Jones in that they both end up staying in-state.

I was one of those idiots. I felt then and still feel that one person is not greater than the team. I hope Keiland Williams is the kind of teammate that serves LSU well and i didnt mean any ill will toward him.

I still cant say that i agreed with the way he handled it but it really isnt my decision to make . I suppose he will feel his way at LSU just like Ryan P. and understand that it is starting over and you have to prove yourself all over again.

I feel the same way about Joe McNight. I hope he likes LSU and wants to play with the Tigers but if he doesnt we will find some who do.

And that's why I specifically included the bit about that opinion not making you an idiot.

Of course, but players are the team - and the more great ones we recruit, the better chance of us having a great team. You don't give up on a recruit because they are considering another school.

He didn't do anything wrong. He made a non-binding commitment, started to feel uneasy about his decision and put it off a couple days to make sure he was making the right one.

You or I can't say we would have handled it any differently. Imagine being 18 and being told by Pete Carroll that you are guaranteed a starting spot at RB on a team that has a large percentage of rushing touchdowns and competes for NC's every year and being called by Reggie Bush, Heisman winner and future #1 pick in the draft, and being told that you should go to school at USC. And your entire future could depend on this one decision.