Whitworth Reveals LSU Wasn’t His Dream School: The Saban Secrecy and a Missed UCLA Opportunity
Andrew Whitworth, a Super Bowl champion and celebrated NFL offensive tackle, recently shared that Louisiana State University (LSU) wasn’t initially his dream school. This revelation uncovers the intriguing recruitment journey that led him to Baton Rouge, a decision that significantly shaped his football career.
Whitworth disclosed that UCLA was his preferred destination early on. However, the Bruins didn’t capitalize on the opportunity, opening the door for LSU to step in.
“They were recruiting me when I was in the eleventh grade,” Whitworth explained. “My high school coach wrote to them, so they sent a scout down.”
Nick Saban, then the head coach of LSU, employed a strategic approach when it came to Whitworth. Saban recognized Whitworth’s potential but aimed to keep him under wraps, fearing that other prominent programs would try to recruit him if they saw him in action.
“I went to LSU with the Five-Star camp, even though Nick Saban didn’t want me to go,” Whitworth revealed. “He tried to keep me hidden. If I was at Five-Star, they would…”
The Five-Star camp was a well-known platform for high school football talent, attracting recruiters from across the nation. Saban’s reluctance to let Whitworth attend underscores his desire to maintain control and ensure that LSU had the upper hand in securing the promising prospect.
Despite Saban’s attempts to keep him hidden, Whitworth’s talent shone through. He excelled at the Five-Star camp, further solidifying his status as one of the top recruits.
The emergence of the Five-Star camp and similar events revolutionized the landscape of football recruitment. These camps provided a stage for players to showcase their skills and gain exposure to college coaches, transforming the recruitment process from a regional undertaking to a national one.
Ultimately, Whitworth chose to attend LSU, where he developed into a dominant offensive lineman. His success at LSU paved the way for a long and successful NFL career.
While LSU may not have been Whitworth’s initial dream school, it proved to be the ideal environment for him to flourish. Under the guidance of Nick Saban, Whitworth honed his skills and became a standout player, eventually reaching the pinnacle of professional football.
