Football: Lemont's Ethan Pocic chooses LSU

Story Image Ethan Pocic, Jr., Lemont. Football all-area team offense players at Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Illinois, Sunday, November, 6 2011. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times

Updated: May 29, 2012 7:06PM



The chance to play for one of college football's iconic programs and a national champion coach with a working knowledge of his position was too much for Ethan Pocic to pass up.

So Pocic, a Lemont junior and one of the most sought-after offensive linemen nationally in the Class of 2013, committed to Louisiana State on Tuesday.

"They love running the ball," Pocic said in a text message. "Coach (Les) Miles was an O-lineman and they run the ball so much."

Pocic, a 6-6, 290-pound tackle, is ranked in the top five in the country at his position by CBS College Sports analyst Tom Lemming.

"He's an exceptional left tackle," Lemming said. "He's a thick-bodied kid with length. The key to his game is his running ability. He's able to block at the next level."

Rivals.com analyst Josh Helmholdt also likes Pocic's upside.

"There were a lot of teams (including) Ohio State and Florida State (who) thought they were going to be the team," Helmholdt said. "He's a guy who is a great combination of both a power blocker and (one) who can handle the speed rushers off the edge.

"He's an above-average athlete at the tackle position. He's built like a power lifter."

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