HOOVER, Ala. – LSU wrapped up 2011 Southeastern Conference Football Media Days as the last team to make an appearance, but it was the player who wasn’t there who made one of the biggest headlines.
Thursday, LSU announced a last-minute decision to replace junior wide receiver Russell Shepard with senior offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert at media days. An LSU news release said Shepard had to deal with some personal issues.
Friday, TigerSportsDigest.com reported that Shepard faced an NCAA compliance issue related to his off-campus housing arrangements.
LSU coach Les Miles declined to comment directly about what Shepard may have done.
“I can only tell you that it’s not an issue that has any resolution in my mind,” Miles said. “In other words, I don’t think there’s any way to categorize it at this point.”
Asked if he was concerned about Shepard’s eligibility, Miles replied, “I’m not certain of any eventuality. I’m not certain that there will be any involvement there at all.”
Miles later told ESPN college football reporter Joe Shad that he had no reason to have real concern about Shepard.
Miles earlier told an interview room full of TV reporters that Shepard has not been suspended from the team.
In other news, Miles indicated that sophomore Tharold Simon could wind up as the starter at right cornerback opposite junior Morris Claiborne, leaving sophomore Tyrann Mathieu to continue to mostly see action in nickel and dime defensive back packages.
