LSU Football Recruiting: The Curious Case of Landon Collins

Trying to decipher the decision making process of a high school graduate is no easy task.

College coaches must weave through parents, family, friends, high school coaches, teachers and others who have influence a the 18-year-old and come away with a signed commitment. 

The recruit’s decision will change his life for the next four to five years and quite possibly the program he commits to. The affects resonate throughout his family, coaches, teammates, and most importantly, himself. 

In the case of Louisiana’s No. 1 prospect, Landon Collins, the decision to announce his verbal commitment to Alabama on Jan. 5, 2012, at the Under Armour All-America Game before a live national TV audience on ESPN was seemingly the conclusion to the year-long battle between Les Miles and Nick Saban.

Collins chose Alabama with the disapproval of his mother. The aftermath of Collins’ decision has caused angst within Tiger Nation, countered by the joy of the Alabama faithful. 

During the telecast, one of the ESPN announcers pointed out the path recruiters should take in order to get the recruit: get to the decision-maker. 

Jumping on Collins’ surprising announcement and his mother’s reaction, ESPN is planning to publish an article on Collins in the Feb. 6 edition of ESPN the magazine which lays out an interesting set of circumstances.  A slew of profanity-laced tweets were left for Collins after his decision (which is not unexpected). 

Nick Saban promised Collins’ mother, April Justin, Collins would be drafted into the NFL and make millions. To the chagrin of Justin, she took this as Saban stereotyping her. She claims she is more concerned with academics.  

Coaches making outlandish promises is not news; it is common practice. Recruiting in the college football is a 365/24/7 cutthroat job. Coaches often walk along a thin line with NCAA rules (sometimes over the line) and dangle on the edge of moral and ethical behavior.

While it may seem offensive to some, whatever it takes to get the best player to sign with the program, most coaches will do.  Telling parents, recruits and their inner-circle what they want to hear is one method that works.

Whether Collins knew what Saban told his mother prior to his decision on Jan. 5 is not known. Collins certainly knows now. 

On Tuesday, Collins reportedly paid an unofficial visit to LSU. At this time, the result is unknown. 

After all that has played out, perhaps his LSU visit is a coincidence. 

The result will be revealed on Feb. 1, National Signing Day.