LSU offers Thibodaux standout a scholarship

Julie Trosclair
January 17, 2017
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Julie Trosclair
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Thibodaux three-star defensive back Amik Robertson’s recruitment got a whole lot more interesting this week.

Robertson announced on his Facebook and Twitter pages on Friday afternoon that he had received a scholarship offer from LSU – a school that’s long been known for its ability to develop defensive backs and send them to the next level.


Robertson met with new LSU coach and Larose native Ed Orgeron on Friday, according to recruiting analysts, and the offer was given during the meeting.

In the Facebook post to announce the offer, Robertson tagged former LSU star and current Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu – a guy that Robertson idolizes, because of his ability to makes plays, despite a small, sleek frame.

“Amik is a hard worker, and he deserves all of these accolades that are beginning to come his way,” Thibodaux coach Chris Dugas said on Friday afternoon. “It’s a great day. It’s exciting when you get the state school – a school that’s always a national championship contender – to look at one of your players. But it’s even better when it’s a kid like Amik, because he’s put in the time and the effort and is a player that is so deserving.”


Robertson has been waiting on this offer for a long, long time, according to Dugas.

The coach said the Tigers have always been a personal favorite of Robertson’s throughout his recruitment because of his admiration for the way Mathieu plays.

LSU fans have wanted Robertson for quite some time, too, and the offer was celebrated both locally and throughout the state by Tiger fans on social media.


Robertson became something of a message board folk legend for LSU fans in the offseason after he dominated summer camps – often ranking as the top defensive back at each event.

Dugas said LSU’s flirtations with Robertson go back to his junior year, and Orgeron is one of the standout’s biggest fans.

Thibodaux faced Mandeville in the playoffs in 2015 – the final game of Robertson’s junior season.


Orgeron watched that game closely because his twin sons played for Mandeville at the time.

Robertson had a big night, which thrust him firmly onto LSU’s recruiting board.

“That game really caught Coach O’s eye,” Dugas said. “I think that’s a game that really showed him a lot and that’s continuing to stand out.”


Robertson continued to move up recruiting boards throughout the summer and then into his senior season, where he powered Thibodaux on offense, defense and special teams – often playing virtually every skill position for the team throughout games.

Throughout that senior season, Robertson continued to stockpile offers from programs like Purdue, Houston, Kansas State and Cincinnati. He had strong interest from Oklahoma State and Texas, as well.

Interest remained from LSU, but Dugas said former Tigers head coach Les Miles was unsure about whether or not to pull the trigger on an offer because of a concern about Robertson’s size and also because of other, more highly ranked players on LSU’s recruiting board.


But when Miles got let go in the middle of the past season and Orgeron took over, things started to heat back up again between Robertson and the Tigers.

That interest spilled over into an offer once Orgeron took over the job full-time.

Dugas said LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond met with Robertson this week, and he assumes that’s where the offer was given.


“He’s been on their radar for a while now,” Dugas said. “They were waiting for the right time to come in and give an offer. I think the coaching change had a lot to do with this. I told Amik in the middle of the season, ‘If Coach O gets this job, you’re going to get an LSU offer.’ I don’t think Les Miles was wanting to pull the trigger on him, but we knew once Coach O took over that it would be far more likely. As it turns out, that’s exactly how it ended up playing out, and we couldn’t be any more proud.”

So, the ball is now in Robertson’s court, and he has about two weeks to decide his future home before National Signing Day.

Dugas said he thinks LSU is Robertson’s dream school, but he’s not fully sure how the prospect’s recruitment will end up, because he’s gotten attached to some of the other schools who have offered him along the way.


In addition to the LSU offer, Robertson also picked up an offer from Oklahoma State this past weekend.

He has more than two-dozen offers total.

The coach said LSU’s plan for the prospect would be to be a hybrid defensive back who would play both corner back and safety in various situations. The Tigers would also give Robertson a chance to play special teams, according to Dugas.


Sounds familiar? That surely seems an awful lot like the Mathieu role.

“Their plan for him is to give him the opportunity to play multiple positions,” Dugas said. “For me, personally, with as gifted as he is with the ball in his hands, I wouldn’t be surprised if they found ways to get creative to get him a few touches offensively, as well. He’s just that type of player. You always want him around the action.”

Amik Robertson


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