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Offensive tackle Hurst, WR Benton on board

Tuesday, October 09, 2007
From staff reports

LSU has received a new football commitment and has reaffirmed an old one.

Offensive tackle Alex Hurst of Memphis and wide receiver DeAngelo Benton of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., have chosen the No. 1-ranked Tigers.

As a senior for 2006 Class 4A state champion Bastrop, Benton caught 40 passes for 947 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 23.6 yards per reception. He was selected the Class 4A All-State MVP and was a Parade All-American. In Benton's final two seasons, Bastrop compiled a record of 30-0. Benton had the necessary test score but his grade-point average was short as a senior, so he enrolled at Hargrave, a college prep school.

"DeAngelo was here this past weekend, and he said everything was going fine," Bastrop Coach Brad Bradshaw said. "He said he will be enrolling at LSU in January."

Benton selected the Tigers instead of Miami, UCLA, Colorado and Alabama.

Hurst (6 feet 6, 318 pounds) visited LSU this past weekend and committed early. Hurst, who is from Arlington High, said he also considered Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State and Notre Dame, and he received interest from Alabama and Miami.

"The stadium was crazy Saturday," Hurst said. "I knew it was the place I wanted to spend my college career. It was also the time to do it (commit), so I could meet face-to-face with Coach (Les) Miles."

Hurst has 5.1 speed for 40 yards and is an honor student who was selected preseason All-Metro in Memphis. He is the fourth early pledge on the offensive line for the Tigers, who have 18 commitments.

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