BATON ROUGE, La. – Once viewed as a potential impact player on LSU’s defensive line, Travonte Valentine has left the program without playing a down.
LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette confirmed Wednesday that the 350-pound defensive tackle is “no longer part of the LSU football team.” The redshirt freshman has signed with Arizona Western College, the same junior college program where fellow 2014 LSU signees Clifton Garrett and Trey Lealaimatafao have landed in recent weeks.
Academic issues delayed Valentine’s arrival in Baton Rouge, and even after the NCAA Clearinghouse permitted him to enroll the SEC did not permit him to take the field. Valentine practiced with the Tigers last fall but did not participate in spring practice.
Academic issues were again the culprit, according to LSU coach Les Miles.
“Travonte Valentine is currently suspended from play, and we’ve instructed him to go to school, go to class, take care of your business,” Miles said after the Tigers’ spring game. “If he does that, handles behavior, there will be a future for him here. Otherwise we’re not certain.”
Valentine, Garrett and Lealaimatafao were all key pieces in the Tigers’ 2014 recruiting class that ranked second nationally in ESPN’s team rankings. Garrett was the No. 31 overall prospect in the ESPN 300 and No. 2 inside linebacker, Valentine was No. 164 overall and the No. 11 defensive tackle, and Lealaimatafao was the No. 27 defensive tackle and also a four-star prospect.
Miles dismissed Lealaimatafao from the team on June 29 following an arrest where he was charged with attempted simple robbery and simple battery following a brawl in a bar parking lot near the LSU campus.
