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LSU Football gets new the Tigers have long expected

By Zach Ragan

Apr 17, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Jaray Jenkins (10) charges off the line against LSU Tigers cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) during the second half of the annual Purple and White spring game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Jaray Jenkins (10) charges off the line against LSU Tigers cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) during the second half of the annual Purple and White spring game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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LSU Football received some long-expected news on Thursday morning.

Tigers star defensive back Derek Stingley announced, via The Players Union, that he’s officially declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.

From The Players Union:

"Becoming a national champion and being a part of the real DBU. Those experiences will last me a lifetime, and I’m proud to say I contributed to that. I’ll always rep LSU and the brotherhood forever.Right now I know that I am ready to lock in and focus on what’s next. I wanted you to hear it from me first that I’ll be declaring for the 2022 NFL draft."

Derek Stingley Jr leaving LSU football a year early was always expected

Stingley, a former five-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 3 overall player in the 2019 recruiting cycle, had possibly the best true freshman season ever by a defensive back while helping lead LSU to a national championship.

The Baton Rouge native played in all 15 games in 2019, totaling 38 tackles and six interceptions. Stingley’s six interceptions were tied for No. 5 in the nation.

Stingley only played in 10 games over the last two seasons due to injuries. In October, the talented cornerback underwent foot surgery after playing in only three games this season.

Despite those injuries, though, Stingley is still viewed as a potential top-five selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The latest mock draft from CBS Sports‘ Chris Trapasso has Stingley going No. 7 overall to the New York Jets (CBS has him as the first defensive back off the board).

At least one mock draft, however, has Stingley slipping to the middle of the first round.

Pro Football Network recently predicted that Stingley would be selected with the No. 14 overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. They have Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr and Florida cornerback Kaair Elam going ahead of Stingley in the draft.

Next. How LSU's QB battle could play out. dark

Stingley has the man-coverage skills and the ball skills to be an elite NFL cornerback. I’d be shocked to see him fall outisde the top 10 — even with the injury concerns.

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