MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / December 6, 1999

RESERVE – New LSU head football coach Nick Saban made East St. JohnHigh School one of his first stops Wednesday as he travels the state recruiting for his first Tigers squad.

Saban was in town looking at Wildcat receivers Roy Del Williams and Chris Bush, two of the top receiving prospects in the area. Saban alsovisited Shaw, Rummel and John Curtis on his second day on the job.

“He’s like most head football coaches on that level,” East St. John headcoach Ronnie Stephens said. “Very enthusiastic and very sincere in whathe is doing. He was trying to sell LSU and I thought he did a good job.”Williams and Bush were also impressed by Saban.

“He came across real friendly, a nice guy,” Bush said.

Bush is a top prospect after being named to the all-District 7-5A first team. He also attended the LSU camp as well as Tulane’s. The 6-2, 180-pound senior is looking at those schools as well as Southern Mississippi and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He said he will probably stayclose to home but will be willing to go out of state if things change and open up.

Williams was considered by many before the 1999 season to be the top receiver prospect in the state and he did little during the season to disprove those sentiments. The 6-2, 175-pound senior was selected as theoffensive MVP in District 7-5A after catching 53 passes for 1,166 yards and 18 touchdowns during the regular season.

“I thought he was a good coach,” Williams said of Saban. “He made a goodimpression on me. The way he talked, I could see he means business. Heshowed me he is more of a team coach. His main concern is that I havesuccess after college.”Williams attended the LSU camp during the summer. He is also consideringFlorida, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Tulane but said he is pretty open right now. Williams is planning visits to LSU and Georgia Tech and said hewill take a few more.

“I should know where I am signing at after my visits,” Williams said.

The Tigers already have a verbal commitment from one River Parishes receiver, West St. John’s Donriel Louis.

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