LSU running back Jeremy Hill, reportedly inclined to stay in school another year rather than enter the NFL draft, is apparently working to salvage the Tigers' offensive line that he'll be returning to run behind.
Tigers offensive tackle La'El Collins, a former high school teammate of Hill's at Baton Rouge Redemptorist High, is considering early NFL draft entry himself. And Hill, according to the advocate.com, is trying to convince both Collins and LSU guard Trai Turner to stick around and open his rushing lanes in 2014.
The deadline for underclassmen to declare draft eligibility is Jan. 15.
Collins is among a deep crop of pro prospects at the offensive tackle position in the SEC, and with the likes of Tennessee's Antonio Richardson and Auburn's Greg Robinson announcing intentions to turn pro early, and with Alabama's Cyrus Kouandjio and Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi possibly doing the same in the coming days, Collins' draft stock may be better off by waiting a year.
Although Turner has yet to announce his intentions, theadvocate.com reports he has joined Athletes' Performance, which trains NFL draft prospects. If Hill stays at LSU and convinces Collins and Turner to do the same, the Tigers still could lose as many as five underclassmen to the NFL draft. Defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson already have announced they will turn pro, while wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham and running back Alfred Blue reportedly will, as well.
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