LSU commit Jarell Cherry reflects on fallen teammate, Ed Orgeron
Rivals.com
DALLAS, Tex. -- Rivals250 defensive end Jarell Cherry was hit right out of the gate with a heavy question when he took the podium at the True Buzz Athletics media day in the Highland Hills public library last Friday.
A reporter asked him about former teammate L.D. Cox, who was shot and killed earlier this year tragically just days after graduating.
“He was, you could say, the soul of the team,” he said. “He kept a lot of people going. Being on a team with him, there was no separation - no seniors, no freshmen - we were all one.”
Weakside defensive end
4 STARS
Louisiana State
Dallas
RR: 5.9
Ht: 6'3.0"
Wt: 226.0
Class: 2018
Commitment status:
verbal
Reports are that Cox was shot while out following an altercation in which spoke up for a female friend who had been harassed by the alleged killers. He lost his life because of his moral beliefs, but that was exactly made him extraordinary to Cherry.
“One thing L.D. always said was that he didn’t want to be a leader of boys, he wanted to be a leader of men,” he said. “He would always go hard every day; give 100-percent. When 100-percent wasn’t good enough, he would give 110.”
Cherry has been committed to LSU since April, but confirmed to Rivals at the event that he’s not been involved with any others in his recruitment since.
IN HIS WORDS
On what Cherry has seen from LSU head coach Ed Orgeron after this offseason
“I remember from the first time meeting him that he’s a very energetic coach,” he said. “One thing that jumped out about him is that he’s leading my recruitment and that’s special about that is not too many coaches get to do that with the prospects they want.”
“He’s going to be a defensive head coach first,” he said. “He’s not going to take anything lightly and make sure all the kids work hard. He’s going to promote that brand at LSU, being one team, one heart and he’s going to make sure that everyone gets a part of what they work to get.”
RIVALS REACTION
Cherry was also questioned about being the face of Dallas Independent School District football and what it means to be the star of David Carter High School Football - a team that will be featured in an upcoming ESPN 30 for 30 documentary. Expectations are obviously high this year for Cherry, who approaches things with a business-like mentality. Even in his slacks and polo, he was very clearly looking to be in great shape heading into this season and should be expected to have a dominant senior year.
