Ferrell commits to LSU

• By WILLIAM WEATHERS
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Apr 22, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:40 a.m.

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Three years ago when Willie Ferrell accompanied his older brother on a recruiting visit to LSU, the thought of playing there was nothing more than pure folly.

While Ferrell might not have carved out a career path at that point in his young career the standout middle linebacker from Florida A&M’s University High School made the type of long-standing relationships that would pay off with several members of the LSU coaching staff.

That established trust and familiarity went a long way in the decision of Ferrell — a Rivals.com 250 member — to issue a public commit Monday to LSU during a news conference held at his high school in Tallahassee, Fla.

“The honesty between me and the coaches,” Ferrell said among the chief reasons for selecting LSU along with location. “They were very honest and didn’t try and sugarcoat anything. I learned that they’re going to stick with me.”

The 6-foot-2, 227-pound Ferrell informed LSU coaches, including recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach Josh Henson, of his decision two weeks ago. He said South Carolina, Maryland and Illinois were among his finalists in a list of 10 scholarship offers.

“Coach Henson has done a real good of recruiting this area,” Florida A&M University coach Ira Reynolds said. “He’s known Willie since he was in the ninth grade and their coaching staff got to see Willie then. It seemed like a natural fit for their system.”

The addition of Ferrell continues a trend in LSU’s recruiting class. Ferrell, who expects to qualify academically, gives the Tigers their 11th overall early commitment — the eighth from an out-of-state prospect — and second pledge from Florida, joining offensive lineman Henry Orelus of Belle Glade.

“He’s just a kid that’s worked very hard, loved the game and got progressively better,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds has seen enough of Ferrell to offer such an opinion.

Ferrell has started at FAMU’s University High since the seventh grade, making him a rare five-year starter. Not only has he played middle linebacker, but has also started at offensive guard and tight end.

“It’s been helpful to me,” Ferrell said. “I learned from a lot of other people.”

Over the past two years Ferrell has come into his own, while registering 400 tackles, helping University High to the Florida Class 1B state championship in 2006 and a 9-5 record and state runner-up finish in ’07.