Report: Mingo, Logan, Montgomery to go pro

List of LSU players heading to NFL early would be record 8

LSU defensive lineman Barkevious Mingo is projected by ESPN to have an early 95 draft grade.

The biggest names in LSU’s star-studded junior class may be on the verge of officially entering the NFL draft.

ESPN.com cited sources in reporting Sunday that defensive ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, along with defensive tackle Bennie Logan, had decided to enter the draft and would make their formal announcements in unison.

A source told The Advocate that Mingo selected an agent and Montgomery was interviewing agents. Any underclassmen who signs with an agent would forfeit his remaining eligibility. LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette did not return a message seeking comment.

Mingo and Montgomery generally are considered sure-fire first-round picks if they forgo their final year of eligibility. The departure of the three defensive linemen would bring the number of early entrants from LSU to a record eight — not counting former cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, who was kicked off the team in August and has hired an agent.

Most of the attrition will be on defense: Middle linebacker Kevin Minter — the team’s MVP this season — consensus All-America safety Eric Reid and cornerback Tharold Simon have declared. The other early entrants are running back Spencer Ware and punter Brad Wing, who was suspended for the Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to Clemson and is the only redshirt sophomore in the group.

Safety Craig Loston and running back Michael Ford are believed to be considering entering the draft early, too. The deadline for declaring is Jan. 15.

None of the early declarations comes as a surprise, especially those of Mingo and Montgomery. Nonetheless, LSU is facing a major rebuilding task on defense, which has been the primary factor in the Tigers winning 34 games in the past three seasons.

Mingo, Montgomery and Logan were the team’s most productive defensive linemen. The fourth starter, tackle Josh Downs, and the third end, Lavar Edwards, were seniors this season, as was end Chancey Aghayere.

The defensive linemen slated to return made three starts, all by sophomore tackle Anthony Johnson. Only linebackers Lamin Barrow and Tahj Jones and Loston potentially remain among players who were projected defensive starters at the start of preseason camp.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said last month that he had Mingo rated the No. 6 overall prospect if he were to come out, and he had Montgomery at No. 21. Neither had eye-popping statistics this season, but their potential caught the eyes of the NFL’s talent evaluators.

Mingo had 8.5 tackles for loss, including 4.5 sacks, after posting 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks last season. Kiper cited Mingo’s “tremendous potential as a pass rusher” and his versatility in being able to rush as a down lineman or from an upright position as being especially attractive to NFL teams.

Montgomery had 13 tackles for loss, including eight sacks. Kiper said Montgomery was a “great college player” but not as skilled as Mingo.

Defensive line is considered one of the deepest positions in this year’s draft, but Mingo and Montgomery are projected to be among the best.

Comments

1) Comment by Milesthebest - 07/01/2013

holycow, I agree with you to some degree. I have said for 2 years that several of these supposed LSU stars are overrated. Logan is legit! Mingo is very good due to his speed but his sacks took a big hit this year and had underperformed until the Clemson game. Montgomery is flat overrated BIG TIME! The guy only played about 1/4 of the defensive snaps the last 4 games either due to injuries or being passed by. I will miss Edwards more than Montgomery...he is the better player which is why he got so much playing time recently. Reid is a great hitter but can't cover anyone in pass coverage which the pros will notice. Simon has been a disaster this year. You know how everyone thought the OTHER CB would be an issue. Mills did fine...it was Simon who has earned the name "toast" for being burnt too often. Ware of course has never been the same player since the drug suspension in 2011 and his playing time dramatically reduced. Minter is the guy I most hated to see declare because not only is he the best player on the team but also unproven players behind him at MLB. The 3 players in order I think LSU will miss the most...1) Minter 2) Logan 3) Mingo. The others...Reid, Simon, Montgomery, Ware, Wing..to be honest, I don't really care and quite frankly I think may people are going to be surprised (not me) that their draft status is way overrated. I believe a couple of these players will be at free agent camps...the rest of them 2nd day picks.

2) Comment by holycow - 07/01/2013

Go... please go! We need a team makeover with some leadership and chemistry of men that want to be there and play. This team was/is full of disgruntlement and infighting and whining is what I hear on the streets. We need a new team leader... and it obviously won't be from the current QB. Anybody watch Johnny football in the Cotton Bowl and how he came off the field and interacted with his team mates firing them up and lifting them thru out the game. That is what we are missing. About the only guy I saw do that this year was the kicker! Geaux Tigahs

3) Comment by Milesthebest - 07/01/2013

BTW, don't know where the red herring gossip comes from about LSU not being a tightly knit, disciplined team. Apparently, rumors become facts in some peoples' minds who don't due their homework. If you read the current verbals comments, they say exactly the opposite. Sorry, but I believe players more than backseat driver fans who know nothing about the workings of the LSU football program. To a man, the verbals from CA to LA to NC to FL talk about how the team is like a famly. Sooo, if people want to waste their time listening to or spreading nonsense rumors, that is your right...your credibility suffers doing that.