Being a Tiger worth the wait for Granier

Thu. February 02, 2012 at 10:56 a.m. | By Teddy Renois/Staff Writer

Thibodaux High's Trey Granier signed with LSU on Wednesday. (Photo by Teddy Renois/Staff)

The wait finally ended for Trey Granier.

When Granier became the second verbal commitment of LSU's 2012 signing class, after accepting an offer on Nov. 11, 2010, he knew 14 months had to pass before he could sign.

Even though college coaches kept recruiting Granier, he and the Tigers never wavered from their commitment.

Granier's wait was worth it when he signed a National Letter-of-Intent with LSU on Wednesday's National Signing Day at Thibodaux High.

Granier said that after making his commitment, he remained patient knowing this day would come.

"It has been a great road and I've enjoyed every minute of it. I committed in 2010 because I was committed to the Tigers and they were committed to me. I just went ahead and got it done and waited for this day," Granier said. "When it got closer to (National Signing Day), I did start to think about it, but I never counted the days."

Granier didn't count the days up to signing day, but the LSU defensive coaches may have.

Granier, a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, is ranked No. 22 nationally by Scout.com as a middle linebacker prospect.

At 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, and the ability to run sideline to sideline, Granier caught recruiters attention after his sophomore season.

Former Thibodaux head football coach Dennis Lorio, who coached Granier during his sophomore and junior seasons, said that he could tell he had a special player.

"When we first saw Trey, we knew he was one of those special kids. His word is as good as gold and he leads by example," Lorio said. "He has the total package. He is a student, a leader and a player and he knew early on what he wanted to do a long time ago. It is going to be a treat for all his fans to watch him on a regular basis."

The only thing that didn't go to plan for Granier was his senior season.

Four games into the 2011 season, Granier suffered a Grade II MCL sprain. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

"It was disappointing because I was off to a pretty good start. Probably, one of the best starts since I've been playing football," Granier said. "It was disappointing, but when the season was over, I went right back into the weight room and began running. I'm back to 100 percent."

Thibodaux first-year coach Chris Dugas said that it was a tough decision to keep Granier on the sidelines, but it was the best thing for his future. The Tigers finished 1-9 overall.

"You just didn't want to rush him back. It might have been different if this was his last year of playing football, but Trey has bigger and better things coming," Dugas said. "Without a doubt, if we had Trey down the stretch our season would've been different. I feel cheated because I only got to coach him for a short time, but I'm glad I did get to coach him."

LSU's 2012 signing class features seven linebackers.

Granier went on his official visit to LSU on Jan. 20 and talked with some of the linebackers about setting the tone for this class.

"I talked with Lorenzo (Phillips) and me and Lamar (Louis) and Ronnie (Feist) have been friends for a long time," Granier said. "We are all focus on being leaders and eventually get into starting positions. We all want to help LSU get back to the big game and finish the big game."

Granier said that Thibodaux High will always be special to him, and if not for the school, his goal of signing with LSU may have never been reached.

"This is special being from Louisiana. When you are young, one of the first football uniforms you wear is LSU. When you get this opportunity it means a lot and I want to thank coach (Les) Miles and coach (John) Chavis for this opportunity," Granier said. "Thibodaux (High) has been a great place and I enjoyed all the coaches that were here. From Coach Lorio to Coach Dugas and Coach (Blake) Trosclair. It's been nothing but positive from them. They all led me the right way and that has led me to this place (in my life). It has been special and I will miss it."