Thibodaux’s Granier excited about future at LSU

Thibodaux High School linebacker Trey Granier has been looking forward to today for a long time.

This morning, he’ll officially become an LSU Tiger.

After committing to continue his collegiate career in Baton Rouge more than a year ago, Granier will officially sign his National Letter of Intent today and fax it to the waiting hands of LSU coach Les Miles.

The entire process marks the culmination of a dream coming true for the future Tiger who said he’s always wanted to play for LSU.

“This is a dream, there’s no question about it,” Granier said. “This is something that I’ve definitely wanted to accomplish. Without a doubt.”

Granier’s ascent to the SEC ranks isn’t necessarily a surprise.

It’s more a continuation of a family legacy.

Granier’s father, Cory Butler, played collegiate football, as did two of his uncles.

His grandfather, James Butler Sr., was also a collegiate athlete, having played basketball.

From the family tree’s bark, athletic branches have also been sprung.

The Thibodaux High School standout has a cousin who is a receiver at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

“When I put the pads on for the first time as a 6-or 7-year-old kid, it wasn’t like a dream, it was more like a goal for me,” Granier said. “I’m just sort of continuing this legacy, I guess you can say. I was just the next one in line. I just had to do what I had to do to make things possible. It’s in my blood, basically. It’s sort of what I was meant to be doing.”

To “make things possible,” Granier emerged as a terror for opponents during the duration of his stay at Thibodaux.

The 226-pound linebacker burst onto everyone’s radar’s as a sophomore when he quickly emerged as one of the leaders of the Thibodaux defense, recording more than 100 tackles.

His junior season, Granier was again a fright, posting more than 100 tackles with numerous stops for losses.

Granier’s senior season was well on its way to becoming a third-straight 100-tackle campaign but the standout sprained his MCL in the early portion of the season n an injury that limited the prospect to just four games in 2011.

Granier did his best to make those games count, recording 36 tackles, while also returning both an interception and a fumble for touchdowns.

Thibodaux coach Chris Dugas said a few weeks following Granier’s injury that a crippling blow had been laid onto his team, saying the LSU-bound linebacker is one of the best he’s ever coached.

The Tigers finished just 2-8 without their best defensive player on the field.

“Not having that big presence in the middle, that big plugging middle linebacker, it’s just hard to not have the leader of your defense there, especially when he’s a guy who’s been the leader of your defense for the last three years,” Dugas said.

With high school in the rear view mirror, Granier said his biggest focus is on improvement.

The Thibodaux linebacker said a major reason why he chose LSU was because of the way the team uses its linebackers.

He said he admires Tigers’ defensive coordinator John Chavis and “can’t wait” to play for him, adding that he believes he will become a much better player under the experienced coach.

“He’s been doing this a very long time,” Granier said of Chavis. “He knows exactly what he’s talking about. I can’t wait to learn all of the things he’s willing and able to teach me.”

But aside from the individual growth, Granier said the entire LSU program was just too good to pass up.

A solid student in the classroom, the Thibodaux standout said LSU’s strong academics played a role in his decision.

“They are very strong about the classroom and grades and stuff,” Granier said. “That’s very important to me, too.”

On the playing field, the results speak for themselves as the Tigers are the defending SEC Champions.

That full package wrapped into a neat bow-tie just an hour away from home was enough to make the prospect’s pledge to LSU “easy.”

“It was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” Granier said. “They are clearly one of the top college football programs in the nation. Why go anyplace else when LSU is right here in my backyard less than 100 miles from my house? Why go anyplace else when you can compete in top-notch athletics and top-notch academics in your own backyard?”

The obvious topic anytime anyone mentions LSU lately has been the BCS National Championship Game.

Granier gave his thoughts on that hotbed topic, saying the Tigers’ poor play was disappointing, but it shouldn’t overshadow a dominant season.

He added that after speaking with future teammates, the Tigers already have a goal for 2012 n to make it back to the same game.

And this time, don’t take second place for an answer.

“Our goal is to get to Miami,” Granier said. “We want to get back there. And this time, we want to go win it. We’re not ready to go all of that way and settle for second place.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the LSU family. I truly am. I know myself and other members of this 2012 class are just looking forward to keeping this program where it belongs n on the top.”

Thibodaux linebacker Trey Granier (left) stays low during a drill this season. He is expected to sign with LSU during National Signing Day. CASEY GISCLAIR