Destrehan quarterback passed on LSU, USC

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

If Destrehan’s Jai Eugene had cold feet before announcing his commitment to a university this weekend, he’d better get use to it.

After declaring that he was heading to the frigid north to play at Michigan, the 5-11, 185-lb. senior is set to join the Michigan Wolverines this Fall for his freshman year of college. One of, if not the premiere prospect in the nation at cornerback passed on offers from LSU and Southern California. Eugene said that Michigan had the most to offer him in terms of playing time, education and opportunity.

&#8220I really came to a decision a few weeks ago on my trip back from USC,” he said in an interview with GoBlueWolverine Magazine at the Army All-American Bowl on Saturday. &#8220Michigan was my first visit and I loved it. I had been to LSU, I had been to Florida for a camp, I had been to Miami for a camp, and I went to SC on a visit. I just started comparing them, and after weighing things out, Michigan came out on top.”

Eugene performed well in the All-American game, hanging step for step with Vidal Hazelton and Chris Bell, two of the top-ranked receivers in the nation.

&#8220At first I was going to wait all the way until signing day, but I said ‘no, I’m going to get this over with,’” he added in the interview. &#8220Recruiting was starting to get tough. I knew this decision was going to shock a lot of people. A lot of people were telling me I should do this or I should do that, but I had to do what was best for me. I put it in God’s hands and just let him do the rest.”