BATON ROUGE -- LSU is on the shortlist of teams that could land a former Major League Baseball prospect as he sets out on his football career.
Cord Sandberg, now 23 after playing six years in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system, has set visits to LSU, Auburn, and N.C. State this month, according to a report from Rivals. Sandberg’s visit to Baton Rouge is scheduled for July 28-29, according to the report.
Sandberg, a 4-star quarterback recruit, had initially committed to Mississippi State out of high school in Bradenton, Fla. He opted to skip college, signing with the Phillies after they selected him No. 89 overall in the 2013 MLB Draft.
Sandberg said he plans to make his final decision in August.
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The sophomore season for LSU tight end Jamal Pettigrew has likely come to an end before it even started.
Citing a source familiar with the injury, 247Sports reported that Pettigrew, a 6-foot-7, 262-pound tight end, suffered a knee injury that is “believed” to involve the ACL.
Surgery is likely the next step, which would sideline Pettigrew for the entire season.
A New Orleans native and St. Augustine High School graduate, Pettigrew was expected to be a weapon in the run and pass game this fall with his massive frame.
Pettigrew played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman last season with two starts. He caught just one pass for 18 yards but had a solid spring and continued his strong performance during summer workouts, according to 247Sports.
Pettigrew was in line to challenge for the second tight end spot behind senior Foster Moreau.
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Two LSU players were named to the pre-season watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s top defensive player.
Junior linebacker Devin White and sophomore cornerback Greedy Williams were both named to the pre-season list, comprised of 86 players.
“We feel like we have two of the best players in the country,” said LSU coach Ed Orgeron.
LSU has produced two Bednarik Award winners.
Patrick Peterson won it in 2010, and Tyrann Mathieu won it the following year.