LSU spring football practice has reached the halfway point, but Mo Isom’s candidacy to be a kicker for the Tigers has come to an end – at least for now.
LSU coach Les Miles said Tuesday the former Tiger soccer goalkeeper turned homecoming queen didn’t make the cut after a tryout last week that drew international attention media attention. Isom is welcome to try again when LSU begins preseason drills in August, he said.
“We reviewed what she can do and can’t do well, and frankly there are four guys on the team right now that would be ahead of anyone who tried out the other day, including Mo,” Miles said.
Isom is going to concentrate on extra points and field goals, Miles said.
“She said, ‘Do I get another opportunity if I get a lot better?’ and I said, ‘Sure,’” Miles said.
Isom tweeted about her talk before Tuesday’s practice with Miles and termed it a “wonderful meeting.”
“Received great constructive feedback,” Isom tweeted. “Will continue working my hardest w/the team thru Spring&Summer&see where I stand in August. There is still much to this journey & I will not give up on my dream.”
Miles indicated the concern wasn’t Isom’s kicking as much as her ability to tackle, despite the fact that she goes 6-foot-1, 190 pounds.
“We go to kicking off in the corner and we count on our kicker making some tackles,” Miles said. “It’s just not something I’m comfortable she’s ready to do.”
The coach quickly put to rest any notion that Isom’s try was some sort of publicity stunt.
“It’s too painful,” he said. “Who would go through this for publicity? She’s accomplished too much here as an athlete to be trivialized.”
The Tigers practiced for about two hours indoors and outside Tuesday, their seventh practice session of the spring. They’ll hit the practice fields again Thursday in preparation for a major 100-plus play scrimmage Saturday.
