LSU vs USC

Chris Davenport says he grew up watching the Tigers and Grambling State as a kid. "I liked watching the Bayou Classic every year," Davenport said. "It's like a historic black Super Bowl. With LSU it was always the great players they would produce," he said. "I really like all the players at USC too. They recruit Louisiana really well. My mom is from California..."

Chris Davenport the 6-foot-4, 311-pound five-star defensive tackle from Mansfield, La., says he has around 12 scholarship offers with two that stand out.

"Right now I'm still pretty undecided," Davenport said. "But my top two are LSU and USC. I like them both a lot."

Davenport says he grew up watching the Tigers and Grambling State as a kid. "I liked watching the Bayou Classic every year," he said. "It's like a historic black Super Bowl.

"With LSU it was always the great players they would produce," he said. "Plus three of my coaches played there, so they all have great things to say about them. It's a great program for defense. Glenn Dorsey is the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country and he's gonna make it in the NFL."

The Tigers are only three hours from Davenport's house and he says he'll attend their spring game in April and their camp during the summer. Despite their close proximity, Davenport insists that won't be a factor. "Distance is not an issue because my parents said they'd come see me play wherever I go," he said. "So even if I was out on the West Coast they'd still come out at least a couple times a year."

Davenport hasn't been to USC before or California in general, but he says he plans to attend the Trojans camp during the summer. "My mom is from California," he said. "She grew up in Oakland and has good things to say about California. I can't wait to go out there.

"I really like all the players at USC too," Davenport said. "They recruit Louisiana really well. John David Booty was from Shreveport, which is like 30 miles from here, and Joe McKnight (tailback) is also from Louisiana."

Davenport's admits the in-state Tigers might have a slight edge. "It's really about the coaches at LSU," he said. "They make me feel like I'm already part of the team and I haven't even graduated from high school yet. They were the first school to offer me last summer and they send me the most mail too.

"But USC is kind of like that too," he said. "The coaches do a good job keeping in touch with me even though they are so far away. They talk about California a lot and about how much I'd like it. They said they've got a lot of guys from out-of-state and that I wouldn't get homesick there. Plus, I like how USC stresses academics. One bad play and your football career can be over. That's why I want to graduate."

He says LSU and USC lead solidly over Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. All of his favorites have offered as well as Boston College, Florida State, Texas Tech, Michigan and others.

"Alabama is also recruiting me really hard," he said. "I plan on going to a camp there too. I really like the people and coaches there. They are real down to earth and make you feel at home. It actually reminds me of my hometown and LSU too.

"I think coach Nick Saban is doing a great job and he got them to a bowl game in his first year," he said.

"I like Florida too because they have great coaches, but I haven't been there yet," he said. "They are rebuilding their defense, so I think it would be a good chance to go in and play early.

"I don't really know much about Tennessee, but they have pretty good tradition and I think they are gonna be an up-and-coming team again."

With USC being the lone exception, Davenport really is focusing on the SEC programs. "The SEC is a great conference," he said. "I think LSU has a great shot to win it next year, but if not, I think Georgia might be able to do it. They have a really good team too, but they haven't offered me."

Davenport has a lot of options and it's still relatively early in the process. He'll undoubtedly have even more, which is why he's taking things slow. "I don't know when I'll make a decision," he admitted. "It could be early or it could be late. I'm not even thinking about that right now."

But the things that he is thinking about are academics, playing time and coaches. "First thing for me is academics," Davenport said. "I want to get my degree before I go pro and I want to see how many of their players get their degree.

"Second is playing time because I want to contribute," he said. "Third is good coaches and how the coaches and players interact. I want a guy that will be strict, but will have fun and lets you really enjoy football."

Another thing that Davenport would like to do in college is shot put. "I'd like to do both sports if I can," he admitted. His personal best distance is 47'8".

Davenport benches 325 pounds, squats 575 and says he has a 23.5-inch vertical jump.

"I’m quick and have quick feet," he said. "I'm explosive for my size and just move good. I'm powerful, but explosive. That's the best way to describe me."

Despite running a pretty good 5.2 forty, Davenport is hoping to get faster. "I'd like to get my forty time down a little and I also want to improve my upper body strength," he said. "I want to be able to beat guys that are bigger and stronger than me.

"I think throwing the shot helps my strength and I do a lot of lifting," he said. "I'm also running the bleachers and doing a lot of short yard sprints and rope training."

Davenport reports a 2.7 core GPA and a 15 ACT, which he is retaking in June.