As the collegiate pipeline to the NFL continues to trickle right along, LSU has suffered its first loss to the 2012-13 early-draft carousel.
The mother of linebacker Kevin Minter confirmed to the Baton Rouge Advocate that her son is leaving the Tigers to enter the April NFL draft, which was followed shortly thereafter by a confirmation from the player himself to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Joe Schad of ESPN.com had previously reported the development.
“It’s been an honor to play at LSU under Coach Les Miles and Coach (defensive coordinator John) Chavis,” Minter, who has already hired an agent, told the Times-Picayune in a phone interview. “They helped me get where I am now. I’ll always bleed purple and gold.
“I was surprised at how fast it happened this year. I always knew I had the potential.”
Following a season in which he led the Tigers with 15 tackles for loss, Minter was named first-team All-SEC. He was also named Defensive Player of the Game for his performance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Minter told the Times-Picayune that he expects to be taken in the neighborhood of the third round.