Controversies apparently not affecting LSU recruiting

By Ed Daniels
Clarion Herald

There are two alternative universes competing with each other at Louisiana State University.

As the university endures a thunderstorm of criticism for allegedly covering up numerous incidents of sexual misconduct involving former football players, recruiting, in football and in men’s basketball, is going quite well.

On Sunday, LSU received a hoops commitment from five-star center Efton Reid. Hours later, LSU announced his signing.

       “Efton will make an immediate impact for us on both ends of the court,” said coach Will Wade.

LSU recently received a football commitment from Ponchatoula quarterback Jacoby Mathews, projected as a five-star safety in the class of 2022.

Football has verbal commits from the top three players in Louisiana for the upcoming signing class.

February seems far off, but when it arrives, LSU could net most of the top 10 recruiting targets in the state, virtually shutting the doors to Alabama, which is coming off a dominant national championship and a 55-17 win (it could have been worse) over LSU in Tiger Stadium in November.

Former football coach Les Miles was forced out at Kansas after allegations that he sexually harassed former student workers at LSU. 

Former LSU President King Alexander was forced out at Oregon State.

       Former LSU running back Derrius Guice has been banned from all university activities, and his name will be expunged from the record books.

Several women have filed a federal lawsuit against the university.

       In March, Sports Illustrated reported that an FBI investigation into alleged corruption in college basketball that includes LSU basketball and Wade is still active.

       More than two years have passed since Wade was caught on video tape discussing an offer to a former recruit, believed to be guard Javonte Smart.

Yet, Wade lands a five-star recruit and several transfers, including guard Adam Miller, who started every game last season for an Illinois team that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

       LSU’s 2022 football recruiting class is currently ranked third, behind Georgia and Ohio State.

       The allegations against the university, and its alleged under-reporting of sexual misconduct, are incredibly serious.

       But, other than a few reporters in the television newsroom where I work, almost no one I meet in public asks any questions about the controversy. That, despite intense reporting by several news outlets, including USA Today, who first reported the story.

       So, it’s a fair question: Does the general public care? Or do they care more about winning and five-star recruits?

That’s up to each individual to decide.

       LSU football is a big business, important to so many in the state.

If the football program or the basketball program is found to be in the crosshairs of the NCAA, that is very big news.

       But, barring another bombshell allegation, what’s allegedly happened in Baton Rouge, in regards to Title IX and alleged sexual misconduct, will seem to have a short shelf life as an attention getter.

Ed Daniels is sports director at ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at ed@nextstar.tv.