By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

And we thought he was elusive on the football field.

Destrehan’s Army All-American quarterback threw a curveball this week, declaring just days before signing day that he would ink with LSU despite his verbal commitment to Michigan made earlier this month. Eugene attributed the change of heart to his desire to stay near his child, Jai Jr.

&#8220I just couldn’t go that far from him,” said Eugene of his son.

The commitment to LSU places Eugene on a Tiger team with fellow local stand-outs in former ESJ Wildcat quarterbacks Ryan Perrilloux and Ricky Dixon. Rated among the premiere cornerbacks of all national high school recruits, Eugene could possibly be competing with Chevis Jackson and Sammy Joseph for a starting role on the Tigers squad. Jackson, who will be a junior next season, is a graduate of St. Paul’s in Mobile, Alabama and Joseph, who will be a senior, is a 5’11” 180-lb. DB from Marrero.

Eugene had originally announced his intention to travel north to join a Michigan team on which he would step right into competition in the starting line-up, but reversed field this passed weekend and called Les Miles to inform him personally that he would sign with the Tigers.

In Baton Rouge, Eugene may very well be in practice next season covering Dixon, of Reserve, as Perrilloux, also of Reserve, drops back to pass. To many locals, that scenario sounds as if it could be something right out of a River Parish jamboree game.