LSU football recruits set to enroll today

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Jan 12, 2009 - UPDATED: 6:45 a.m.

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A month ago, Kevin Minter played for Peachtree Ridge in a Georgia state championship game.

Today, Minter becomes a college student.

Minter graduated from high school early so he could get a head-start on campus life. The linebacker from Suwanee, who committed to LSU in the spring, will begin classes today as the spring semester gets under way.

He isn’t alone, either.

Drayton Calhoun, Chris Garrett, Dexter Pratt and Russell Shepard, other members of LSU’s upcoming signing class, also finished high school ahead of schedule so they could get ahead of the game. All five recruits will be available for spring practice later in the semester.

“I just want to get on the field,” Minter said. “I think this will help give me a chance to establish myself.”

Shepard and Garrett will jump right into a quarterback competition that includes Jordan Jefferson, Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch, who each started multiple games last season.

Shepard is a dual-threat QB known for his ability to make plays on the run. Garrett, who led Tupelo (Miss.) High to an 8-4 record last fall, is an NFL-style, drop-back passer.

“You kind of get the best of both worlds,” said Sonny Shipp of TigerSportsDigest.com, the LSU affiliate in the Scout.com network.

Derek Helton, a kicker who played at Fort Scott (Kans.) Community College last season, and Rockey Duplessis — a Class of 2008 signee — are also expected to enroll today.

Ahead of the game

These seven LSU recruits will enroll today. Five are fresh out of high school.

RB Drayton Calhoun, Tucker (Ga.)