LSU DT Travonte Valentine leaving for junior college

LSU freshman defensive tackle Travonte Valentine is no longer with the program and is likely headed to junior college. Jim Kleinpeter of the Times-Picayune reported the change in Valentine’s status.

Sources told Kleinpeter that Valentine, a former four-star recruit out of Champagnat Catholic High School in Hialeah, Florida, near Miami, failed multiple drug tests and also barely attended class after enrolling in courses last fall. It should also be noted that Valentine initially reported to LSU late due to academic issues and though he practiced with the team last season, was not eligible to play.

LSU had the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation last year, and Valentine has now become the third member of said class to leave the program. Fellow defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao was dismissed from the team following multiple attitude issues and an arrest, and linebacker Clifton Garrett simply decided to transfer. Valentine is likely going to join his two former teammates at Arizona Western Community College.

It’s a sad ending at LSU for Valentine, as the Tigers are known to be one of the most elite and toughest programs in the nation. Under longtime coach Les Miles, the team has a 103-29 (56-24 SEC) record and won a national championship in 2007. At the same time, for Miles to lose so many players from a top recruiting class, it doesn’t look good on his or the program’s end. Hopefully, this is just a fluke and LSU contends for a national championship once again this season.

LSU opens 2015 at home against the Southland’s McNeese State Cowboys on September 5.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to THEADVOCATE.COM

Photo: Bear Bryant looklike pops up at SEC Media Days
Photo: Bear Bryant looklike pops up at SEC Media Days