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Offensive tackle Lowe picks LSU

From wire reports
Originally published 01:36 a.m., July 14, 2008
Updated 01:36 a.m., July 14, 2008

The clock was ticking near the end of the school year in May, and Brownwood (Texas) offensive tackle Stavion Lowe had accumulated a handful of scholarship offers.

The list of suitors for Lowe included Auburn, Texas A&M and Notre Dame, but it wasn’t until the final day before embarking for the summer when the mammoth 6-foot-6, 295-pounder received a scholarship offer from national champion LSU.

“Before I got my first offer that was one of the schools I was hoping I would hear from,” Lowe told the Baton Rogue Advocate. “I didn’t think I was going to hear from them at all and it finally came.”

With LSU now in the picture for his services, Lowe set out on a two-week tour in mid June of unofficial visits through the SEC — complete with stops at LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn followed by a return visit to Baton Rouge.

That turned out to be enough to satisfy his future plans, which were finalized Sunday when Lowe committed to LSU coach Les Miles in a brief phone conversation.

“I think I caught him off guard,” Lowe said. “He was in a meeting and when I got a hold of him later he was excited.”

Lowe, rated the nation’s No. 12 offensive tackle by Rivals.com and No. 10 according to Scout.com, increases LSU’s commitment total to 14. It also further solidifies the program’s offensive line depth that now includes commitments from four of the nation’s top 18 players — No. 6 center Henry Orelus of Belle Glade, Fla., No. 14 tackle Chris Faulk of Northshore-Slidell and No. 18 guard Carneal Ainsworth of Parkview Baptist.

Moreover, Lowe provides LSU with four of the Top 21 rated players in Texas according to Rivals.com. That list is headlined by No. 2 quarterback Russell Shephard of Houston, No. 15 running back Dexter Pratt of Navasota and No. 21 defensive end Michael Brockers of Houston.

“There have been a lot of exciting times throughout this recruiting process,” said Lowe, who is academically qualified. “I’m thankful I have the opportunity to choose a school like LSU. It’s been a good process for me.”

Lowe said he chose LSU over Oklahoma and Auburn from a list of 26 scholarship offers.

“I think he’s been one of our most highly recruited kids,” Brownwood High coach Mitch Moore said. “He got a lot of interest just on his frame and footwork and movement.”

Lowe moved into a starting role near the end of his sophomore year and became the team’s full-time starter a year ago. He started in all 10 games for a Brownwood team that finished 6-4, earned first-team All-District honors and All-American mention from Under Armor.

“I wasn’t quick to commit after receiving my first offer (Auburn),” Lowe said. “It’s been about seven months for me. I kind of wanted to see what else was out there and LSU finally came along and when I visited there it was a good comfortable environment that fitted everything I was looking for. It’s an incredible place to me. I’m excited about my decision and I look forward to coming in and contributing.”

       41 Comments

Posted by pms151 on July 14, 2008 at 4:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

why does this matter to us?

Posted by cdldoc on July 14, 2008 at 4:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a great article. I love reading crap that means nothing for us!

Posted by Goodvol on July 14, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it matters to us in that we can take him off our list and quit pursuing him! For those keeping a keen eye on recruiting, it is news they would want to read. For those not wanting to read the article, luckily the title of the article makes it clear what it is about. Just ignore it.

Posted by DadwasaVol on July 14, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Guys - the story is about football recruiting. We choose to read it from a menu of football recruiting stories. The title should have warned you.

Posted by stroker on July 14, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What Goodvol and DadwasaVol said.

Posted by jh43 on July 14, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Do we not have enough good news about Tennessee to fill this section? Why should I want to hear about who went somewhere besides UT?

I think we are having a good recruiting year. Just tell me more about it.

Posted by marc_ash on July 14, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The author of this article was "from wire reports"? Who wrote the article? Is "from wire reports" the pen name for John Adams? It is an LSU article after all.

Posted by marc_ash on July 14, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That being said, it is good information for Vol fans. I want to know about recruits that choose or do not choose the Vols. Then, we can quit discussing them ourselves.

Posted by TommyJack on July 14, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Recruiting Stavion Lowe has been on this board in the past. Had no mention been made about his decision to go to LSU, you same bashers would have been dissing KNS about non-reporting.

Posted by sjt18 on July 14, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In this election season: TJ for Chief Adams Apologist?

Lowe was recruited heavily by UT and was at one point very high on the Vols. After his visit, it was pretty openly acknowledged that he didn't like the distance and especially the 20+ hour drive home. He didn't think distance would be a factor but it became one.

BTW, while this article isn't completely irrelevant... it is interesting that this item on Rivals #12 OT choosing LSU over UT garnered space while the news that Peter White, Rivals' #6 OG naming UT his leader, did not. That's especially true when the recruitment of Lowe had cooled completely after his visit while White's recruitment to UT is red hot... some even rumoring that he'll commit soon.

Posted by pdhuff on July 14, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We have 31 OT's anyway.

He probably was a nice one, but he'll have to contend with our DL. He'll see the error of his ways.

Free TDTN.

Educate Dupree!

Posted by sjt18 on July 14, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pd, you are losing your touch... that was very, very weak sarcasm.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 14, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What sjt18? What was weak sarcasm - the part about freeing TDTN or educating Dupree?

Posted by RichRollin on July 14, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We are doing a good job saving that spot for Morgan Moses. Sjt18, We will gladly take Peter White too, that boy is a HOSS.

Posted by sjt18 on July 14, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

IMO, they're probably planning on converting at least one of the OL's if they end up signing 5 or 6. Phillips is definitely considered a candidate for that. Moses could go either way too for whoever lands him.

Posted by RichRollin on July 14, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Does Moses play both ways? Don't tell me that Sjt, I may faint. If you can't tell I'm infactuated with Morgan Moses and Marlon Brown. I didn't know Moses could play both ways, now I'm twice as obssesed with him.

Posted by sjt18 on July 14, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It has been discussed.

Posted by RichRollin on July 14, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can Peter White play DT? Cause he sure is huge.

Posted by sjt18 on July 14, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Haven't heard on that one.

Posted by GoVol on July 14, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer needs to start increasing the ante to compete with the other cheating coaches in the SEC. He's losing too many in-state (not referring to Lowe) talented prospects.

Fulmer hasn't been that good at developing and maximizing talent so he needs to start with as much talent as he can get.

Posted by ButchIsBack on July 14, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When its time to select a next coach, all I know is the administration would love to have a crystal ball and see into the future. If that future said several things than they would be able to make a good hire. Here is what it needs to see.

1. Stay off major NCAA probabtion.
2. Stability.
3. 77% + winning %.
4. Play for more SEC championships than anyone.
5. Dominate your natural rival (Alabama).
6. Expand revenue 3 fold.
7. Expand attendance.
8. Win at a hgher per decade than any other coach in school history.
9. Win a National Championship.
10. Be the winningest coach in school history.
11. Finish as at least the 2nd winningest coach in the history of the best conference.
12. Be respected by his peers to be named President of the coaches association.
13. Put more kids in the NFL than anyone.
14. Be an alum
15. Take a school that has had 1 NFL Hall of Famer and make that around 5 when you are finished.

These are just some of the check marks to a successful hire. Oh wait, we already have that. Damn.

Posted by WhitePineVol77 on July 14, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I like to hear news from around the conference...keeps my head out of a vacuum. Sorry to see this kid go somewhere besides TN, but it does not surprise me to see him stick "closer to B-wood, TX" but not go to UT/Austin. On Saturdays in the fall, I am for TN, and whoever is playing Notre Dame and UT/Austin!

Posted by cjraney on July 14, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt-
Thanks for the update on White.

Posted by BSweet on July 14, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would love to see us get Pete White, Morgan Moses, Marlon Brown, and Jerod Askew. Add a few DTs to that and another LB or two and we'd have quite the class. Sjt,Savageo, or anyone else who might know, what's the lowdown on Jelani Jenkins. I see we're on his list but are we really a serious consideration? Both scout and rivals have him ranked pretty high. As far as Lowe goes, I'm sure he's a talented kid and we would have welcomed him here, but I don't see his not coming here as hurting us. I think we're still in the running for kids who are as talented, if not moreso. I wish him the best of luck but hope we beat his tail if/when we face him.

Posted by pdhuff on July 14, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ButchIsBack 1:32 - good points.

Did you forget-

16. Oversaw 68th run defense

17. 84th rated pass defense

18. ONE top 10 in nine years

19. One BCS game in nine years

20. Losing record to 7 current SEC coaches

21. No SEC titles in nine years.

22. Dominated Bama 17-41

23. Held Gators to 59.

Figured they just slipped your memory.

Posted by TommyJack on July 14, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Facts. Such ugly things.

Posted by pdhuff on July 14, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, just travails on the winding sports highway of life.

Soon to come to full roil in around 50 days or so.

Koolade and shakers at the ready with bated breath....

Posted by GoVol on July 14, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD - I knew it was bad, but didn't realize the D was that bad. We're sliding the wrong direction and some don't see it or want to believe it.

Posted by sjt18 on July 14, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah TJ... especially when you refuse to consider all of them rather than just the ones that tend to prop up your presuppositions.

Posted by sjt18 on July 14, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GoVol, you are right about sliding on D... but that's where most everyone thinks/thought UT had a coordinator worth his pay. I'm not a Chavis fan... and the idea that the season depends on him getting his D back to pre-2006 levels really concerns me.

Last year was the worst defense statistically of Chavis' career. They year prior had to have been close to the second worst... yet UT still made it to the CG in 2007 and gave LSU all they wanted. In 06, they lost by one to the NC and seemed destined for a BCS bowl until Ainge went down.

I only say that to say this... If Chavis is still capable of fielding a good D and has bounced off the bottom from last year then UT's chances of making noise are pretty good this year.

Posted by 55Vol on July 14, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

that's ok pd and TJ.... I still hold a grudge from TN getting plastered by Alabama at Neyland Stadium 56-28 in 1988. Bobby Humphrey left, Bobby Humphrey right, Bobby Humphrey up the middle....Grudges can be a hard thing to give up and just "move on". Then again, we all have to make a choice......

Posted by mikevol on July 14, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You can quota tons of stats..

24. Botton line Tenn was the best team in the East last year..

Posted by mikevol on July 14, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Opps make that Quote..

Posted by TommyJack on July 14, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

55vol: No grudge

Posted by pdhuff on July 14, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

55Vol, about got over that one. I simply believe like Fox news, "Fair and balanced". If we won 10 games, great.

If we got slaughtered, say it. Don't wave the shakers and talk about 1998. That credit has been used up long ago.

You can paint a pig white with a yellow beak, but he's not a duck. Phil has oversaw a slipping down program. I don't like it any better than most, but sweeping it under the bed doesn't make it go away.

Our D gave an effort last year, but Pinto's don't run with Corvettes. And no d-line talent in camp or on the horizon doesn't bode well in this hillbillys limited football knowledge. You still need to tackle someone.

I digress, we'll all hope come 9-1-08 things have changed.

Posted by cjraney on July 14, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pd-
Definitely get your point and its well-made. However, some of the stats that matter the least to me are record vs. Coach ________, and rank of Off/Def/Spec.Teams, etc.

Why? Because they really don't matter. It's all about W's and when we get enough of them no one cares what numerical rank our offense earned or if we now have a winning record against Coach _____.

Posted by cjraney on July 14, 2008 at 10:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Referring to your 16-23 rankings above.

Posted by pdhuff on July 14, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cjraney 10:12 -good thoughts -

Titles and rings matter, too.

And being competitive with our football budget should matter. Phil's a good man who time has come and gone. Look at FSU and Penn St, fighting over most wins, sound familar to someone's chase of Neyland's record.

My uneducated standards are we should at least be a top 10 program and a BCS game at least every three years. We have failed miserably in that regard.

Posted by mdavis332 on July 14, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

...and I care because...

Posted by Colliervol on July 15, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One thing everybody likes to drag up is the Bama and FL scores from last year. Sure they are our biggest rivals and not pleasant memories but one year means squat to me when it comes to determining the status of their program versus ours. Using that logic, I could say that Bama's program is beneath Louisiana Monroe's right now based on the results of their game but that would be ludicrous, wouldn't it? But if you want to make judgements based on one game, there you have it.

Now, let FL score 59 on us again and have Bama beat us by 24, both at home, then you might be onto something and I'm sure all heck will break loose then.

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