Getting late so wanted to post a quick update as I know people have been waiting to hear something regarding Ohio State's pursuit of LSU cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond.
So here is where I believe things stand, the first couple notes are essentially repeats/refreshers....
- Ohio State has made a big offer. I don't know the exact figure, but as I've said previously, I've been told it is a substantial amount of money and an enormous raise from what Raymond is currently making (I believe 450k).
- As I said on the podcast last night, there is an important person in Raymond's camp that is asking him why schools like Ohio State and Alabama need to continually come calling for LSU to pay fair value. So while Raymond feels loyalty to his community and LSU as an institution, I think there are some hurt feelings there and perceived slights given what he has done both in recruiting and developmentally.
- The sense is that LSU is not going to be able to match Ohio State's offer on a dollar-for-dollar basis. So the question becomes how close do the Tigers need to get here to qualify for the hometown discount?
- Here is the most positive thing I can say right now. Every single source I trust on this one has moved their optimism levels toward Ohio State today. Now some are coming from a place of where they felt it was a long shot to now simply just having a shot, while others felt it was possible and now feel it could be better than a coin flip. So there are varying confidence levels here from the sources that I have spoken to, but all seem to be in at least some form of agreement that things look better for Ohio State on Tuesday than they did on Sunday or Monday.
- My belief right now, and it's an educated guess based on what my best source throughout this situation is telling me, is that Raymond feels very good about the Ohio State offer but is going to give LSU a chance to step forward with its best and final offer. That is going to be measured against Ohio State's offer along with input from family. Raymond is a Louisiana guy and Baton Rouge and Columbus aren't exactly similar places to live. Very different parts of the country. That will be weighed and, again, family input will be taken into account here as well. It's a big change, if it were to be made, for Raymond and his family so the two situations are being weighed and everyone is trying to get on the same page.
At this point of the night, it would be a real surprise if something broke today. But I have to think this has about a 48-hour shelf life. I'd be surprised if this went beyond that window. I think all parties, OSU, LSU, and the Raymond camp, are going to want closure in the next two days.
So here is where I believe things stand, the first couple notes are essentially repeats/refreshers....
- Ohio State has made a big offer. I don't know the exact figure, but as I've said previously, I've been told it is a substantial amount of money and an enormous raise from what Raymond is currently making (I believe 450k).
- As I said on the podcast last night, there is an important person in Raymond's camp that is asking him why schools like Ohio State and Alabama need to continually come calling for LSU to pay fair value. So while Raymond feels loyalty to his community and LSU as an institution, I think there are some hurt feelings there and perceived slights given what he has done both in recruiting and developmentally.
- The sense is that LSU is not going to be able to match Ohio State's offer on a dollar-for-dollar basis. So the question becomes how close do the Tigers need to get here to qualify for the hometown discount?
- Here is the most positive thing I can say right now. Every single source I trust on this one has moved their optimism levels toward Ohio State today. Now some are coming from a place of where they felt it was a long shot to now simply just having a shot, while others felt it was possible and now feel it could be better than a coin flip. So there are varying confidence levels here from the sources that I have spoken to, but all seem to be in at least some form of agreement that things look better for Ohio State on Tuesday than they did on Sunday or Monday.
- My belief right now, and it's an educated guess based on what my best source throughout this situation is telling me, is that Raymond feels very good about the Ohio State offer but is going to give LSU a chance to step forward with its best and final offer. That is going to be measured against Ohio State's offer along with input from family. Raymond is a Louisiana guy and Baton Rouge and Columbus aren't exactly similar places to live. Very different parts of the country. That will be weighed and, again, family input will be taken into account here as well. It's a big change, if it were to be made, for Raymond and his family so the two situations are being weighed and everyone is trying to get on the same page.
At this point of the night, it would be a real surprise if something broke today. But I have to think this has about a 48-hour shelf life. I'd be surprised if this went beyond that window. I think all parties, OSU, LSU, and the Raymond camp, are going to want closure in the next two days.
