Landon Collins picks Alabama, but his mother is sticking with LSU
Landon Collins woke up Thursday morning on top of the world.
The five-star safety from Geismar (La.) Dutchtown High was set to announce his much-anticipated decision to attend Alabama or LSU and begin moving toward his college career.
But by Thursday night, after Collins picked the Crimson Tide over his home-state school, Collins had become a laughing stock. After Collins stated his choice live on ESPN during the Under Armour High School Football All America Game, his mother embarrassed him by publicly disapproving of his choice.
"I feel like LSU is a better place for him to be," Collins' mother said. "LSU Tigers, number one. Go Tigers."
She even, reportedly, started a "Geaux Tigers" chant.
It was not the best moment for Collins and his mother, and it not only fueled ridicule from LSU fans and everyone who saw the video on YouTube, but also Collins' fellow All America Game teammates.
"There is a way to conduct yourself in those situations," Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco defensive lineman Darius Hamilton told Rivals.com. "When you are on national television she shouldn't have done that to her son. There is still a long way to go until National Signing Day and whatever issues she has should have been worked out behind the scenes."
Hmmm, and that's coming from the 17- or 18-year-old kid.
National Signing Day is a little more than a month away, on Feb. 1, and any grievances Collins' mom had over his college choice could have been hashed out at home before Collins will officially sign. Verbal commitments are non-binding.
Even if Collins' mother didn't like his choice, she should have at least supported her son in public. Then she could have smacked him in the head in the car on their way home. (Not that we here at the Doc condone domestic violence.)
It will be interesting to see if the outcome of Monday's BCS Championship Game between LSU and Alabama changes either Collins' or his mom's perspective.
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Graham Watson is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow her @Yahoo_Graham
