Posted 2:03 am Sunday, August 16, 2009
Tyler's Ciron Black On Outland List
By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer
Tyler's Ciron Black returning to LSU for his senior year had little to do with improving his NFL draft stock.
Staff Writer
Tyler's Ciron Black returning to LSU for his senior year had little to do with improving his NFL draft stock.
It was mainly because of the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
The Tigers manhandled Georgia Tech 38-3 last year in the annual bowl held at the Georgia Dome, but Black felt that wasn't the proper end to his collegiate career.
The Tigers manhandled Georgia Tech 38-3 last year in the annual bowl held at the Georgia Dome, but Black felt that wasn't the proper end to his collegiate career.
"That wasn't good enough," said Black, who won a BCS Championship at LSU in 2007. "Nobody wants to go out with a losing season. I've been playing sports all my life and I hate to lose.
"I did a lot of praying with my family and, of course, I had to think about it ΓΆΒ?Β» but it really wasn't a hard decision for me."
The Tigers' overall record was 8-5 last year, but a dismal 3-5 in the SEC with three home losses against Alabama, Ole Miss and Georgia, capped by a road loss against Arkansas in Little Rock, Ark.
So Black is back in Baton Rouge, La., dealing with oppressive temperatures, humidity, and what he calls "smash-mouth practices" all with the goal of finishing his career at LSU like former teammate Glen Dorsey did in 2007 -- winning an SEC crown and a BCS Championship.
He's also one of 40 players selected for the Outland Trophy watch list. The award is given annually to the nation's top interior lineman. The last LSU player to win the award was Dorsey in 2007.
"It's just an honor," said Black, who has started 40 consecutive games at left tackle for the Tigers.
"I am on the list, but I still have to play and take it one game at a time and get better. Being on the (Outland) list means they are going to be watching me more. It's a good thing, but at the same time I am going to have to play."
Black joins teammates Jordan Jefferson, Charles Scott, Brandon LaFell and Richard Dickson as being on "watch lists" for major collegiate awards. Scott, who rushed for 1,174 and 18 touchdowns last season, admitted in a recent story on SI.com that he agreed to come back only after he heard confirmation of Black's return.
"Of course I was looking at if Ciron was leaving," Scott said in January. "If I'd have my big boy back."
Black is listed at 6-5, 322 pounds and was forecast to be no worse than a second-round choice in last year's NFL draft.
During his three years in the trenches for the Tigers, Black has logged 2,654 snaps and hasn't allowed a sack since 2007. This coming after he anchored Lee's line from 2002-04, culminating with the school's first football state title in '04.
Millions of dollars lie ahead for Black as a possible top 10 pick in the 2009 draft, but the four-year starter insists his focus begins and ends in Baton Rouge.
"We've got so much going on this season trying to rebound and trying to get back to the LSU way, it really hasn't hit me," Black said. "Honestly, I probably won't even think (about the NFL) until we finish our bowl game because we've got so many things we want to get accomplished. We want to win (another BSC) title. We won a couple years ago, but that isn't good enough. We want to contend for an SEC title every single year."
Black admits that he needs to improve his play on the football field in preparation for the NFL and is anxious to accomplish another goal in the classroom.
"There are just so many things that I have to do to get better and be a better leader and a better football player before I can go to the next level," Black said. "(I also hope to graduate) with a degree in mass communications.
"Hopefully, I can get into (TV or radio someday) ΓΆΒ?Β» just to be able to go into people's homes and let them know about the game and how it really works. And show them what type a guy I am and not just a football player."
Notes
: The Tigers open up their season Sept. 5 against Washington at Husky Stadium in Seattle.
: The Tigers open up their season Sept. 5 against Washington at Husky Stadium in Seattle.
