With two departures already confirmed -- and one all but confirmed -- LSU has reportedly lost yet another player to early entry into the April draft.
First reported by TigersSportsDigest.com, and subsequently confirmed by ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad, Tigers wide receiver Rueben Randle has decided to leave the Tigers with a season of eligibility remaining and enter the NFL draft. The website wrote that Randle’s “decision was made during a family dinner in Bastrop, La., on Wednesday night, and the papers were sent off on Thursday afternoon.”
In 2011, Randle led the Tigers in receptions (53), receiving yards (917) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Randle came to LSU as a five-star member of its 2009 recruiting class, rated as the No. 1 receiver in the country; the No. 2 player at any position in the country; and the No. 1 player in the state of Louisiana by Rivals.com.
Thanks to, um, uneven quarterback play during his three years in Baton Rouge, Randle never statistically lived up to his advanced billing -- his career totals read 97 catches for 1,634 yards and 13 touchdowns. That, though, says more about the players getting him the ball than it does about a 6-3, 195-pounder who has the talent and athleticism to carve out a successful career at the next level.
LSU announced earlier Thursday that cornerback Morris Claiborne and defensive tackle Michael Brockers were leaving for the draft; it’s unclear if/when the Tigers will make a similar announcement regarding Randle.
Additionally, receiver Russell Shepard intimated earlier this week that he was leaving LSU. The departure -- either for the NFL or another school -- has yet to be confirmed.