LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins made his return to Baton Rouge official on Tuesday, as he and five other players announced their intentions to stay for their senior seasons at LSU.
Collins was an All-SEC selection at tackle in 2013 and could have been an early-round pick in the draft had he decided to go pro.
He's back! All-SEC LT @70LaelCollins announces he will return for his senior season. #LSU pic.twitter.com/i1ix1gknlW
— LSU Football (@LSUfball) January 14, 2014
The five other players to confirm that they were staying at LSU were DE Jordan Allen, RB Kenny Hilliard, DE Danielle Hunter, C Elliott Porter and DE Jermauria Rasco.
Those announcements put the tally of LSU players declaring for the NFL Draft at seven. On Monday, RB Jeremy Hill announced that he'd be leaving early. Hill joins fellow RB Alfred Blue, WR Odell Beckham Jr., WR Jarvis Landry, DT Anthony Johnson, DT Ego Ferguson and RG Trai Turner in making themselves eligible.
The return of Hilliard, Collins and Porter bodes incredibly well for the LSU offense. Quarterback Anthony Jennings will be entering his first full season as a starter next year and a strong running game may be imperative, especially early in the season. LSU also has received a verbal commitment from Louisiana prep running back Leonard Fournette, the No. 3 recruit in the country.
The returning talent on offense is a big reason we have LSU ranked at No. 10 in our Too Early Top 10.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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