📝 Bama Insider: It's a package deal for No. 1 DT Ishmael Sopsher

Max

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — If a school wants No. 1 defensive tackle

Ishmael Sopsher, then they will need to sign his brother Rodney Sopsher out of Junior College too.

That is the only way the five-star defensive tackle out of Amite (La.) will even consider a school.

"We are going to school together," said Sopsher. "If a school does not offer us both, then I am not even going to consider signing with them in February. I am just going to wait and see who decides to offer us, but the biggest factor for me choosing a school is us going to school together."

Only one school has told both Sopsher's they have a scholarship and that is LSU.

"As of right now, LSU is the only one who has offered us both.They have a place for Rodney and that is very important to me. That does not really change the way I feel about LSU, but it stands out because I know they have a place for him."

Most have viewed the race for Sopsher as a battle between Alabama and LSU from the beginning. There has been a lot of chatter about the Crimson Tide having the edge heading into the final month, but is that accurate?

"I really do not know where that comes from," said Sopsher. "Alabama is a great school and I have been there a lot, but I do not have them on top. All schools are even for me right now.

"I like them, I am still looking into them and I am just waiting to see what they say about my brother as we get closer to Signing Day. Alabama does not lead though."

Sopsher used the "wait and see" phrase numerous times in this interview. He has discussed his brother with a number of schools, so now he will wait and see what happened in the coming weeks as he prepares to sign February 6.

"I know Ole Miss is looking into it, I know Alabama is looking into it and some schools are seeing what they can to get him in too. I know I will talk to about five or six schools about it again soon. I just want to see what schools will have a spot for him."

Along with Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss; Florida State, Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M remain in contact with Sopsher he said. He has yet to schedule any official visits for January, but ones to LSU and Ole Miss are likely to take place the last two weekends before Signing Day.

With the offer to both Sopsher's, it could be tough to beat the in-state school in the end.

"Me and coach O (Ed Orgeron) are really close," said Sopsher. "We talk almost every a day and he continues to show me a lot of love. We have a very close relationship. I have known him for so long and that is part of the reason LSU is a school I like so much.

"Them offering my brother is so important too. There is zero chance we go separate ways. Me and Rodney will go to school together, so LSU giving us that chance does stand out."

BamaInsider.com - It's a package deal for No. 1 DT Ishmael Sopsher
 
In all honestly, if his attitude is give my brother a scholly or I don't come... I don't think he has the correct attitude to thrive an most college D! level programs. He's in for a Rude awaking no matter where he ends up.
 
There is still a question mark as to whether his brother is going to qualify for FBS play--much less SEC play. If he doesn't graduate JUCO, he's not playing in the SEC. There's no way around that fact.

This story has been told a half of a dozen times, if not more. Yet, despite it being told, I'm told Bama is in good shape with Sopsher. Even those people I don't know, but do follow their recruiting stories, continue to maintain Bama is in great shape even with these "demands" being voiced time and again.

LSU is the only school that's offered his brother and they did that months ago. It's my understanding if the staff saw this as an issue they'd have offered/taken Ika.

Hell, in the end, this may be a non-story to begin with; posturing and trying to look out for his brother.
 
There is still a question mark as to whether his brother is going to qualify for FBS play--much less SEC play. If he doesn't graduate JUCO, he's not playing in the SEC. There's no way around that fact.

This story has been told a half of a dozen times, if not more. Yet, despite it being told, I'm told Bama is in good shape with Sopsher. Even those people I don't know, but do follow their recruiting stories, continue to maintain Bama is in great shape even with these "demands" being voiced time and again.

LSU is the only school that's offered his brother and they did that months ago. It's my understanding if the staff saw this as an issue they'd have offered/taken Ika.

Hell, in the end, this may be a non-story to begin with; posturing and trying to look out for his brother.

I have read where his brother isn't even enrolled in Junior College, making this almost an impossible feat.

I guess with the sitting out of bowl games, we are now headed towards making public pleas and ransoms for package deals for family and friends. I do not see how this is not an NCAA violation. You're essentially giving someone free money for their sibling. I guess we all know it's for one guy, but maybe it cannot be proven through gift of a scholarship.
 
There is still a question mark as to whether his brother is going to qualify for FBS play--much less SEC play. If he doesn't graduate JUCO, he's not playing in the SEC. There's no way around that fact.

This story has been told a half of a dozen times, if not more. Yet, despite it being told, I'm told Bama is in good shape with Sopsher. Even those people I don't know, but do follow their recruiting stories, continue to maintain Bama is in great shape even with these "demands" being voiced time and again.

LSU is the only school that's offered his brother and they did that months ago. It's my understanding if the staff saw this as an issue they'd have offered/taken Ika.

Hell, in the end, this may be a non-story to begin with; posturing and trying to look out for his brother.

I have read where his brother isn't even enrolled in Junior College, making this almost an impossible feat.

I guess with the sitting out of bowl games, we are now headed towards making public pleas and ransoms for package deals for family and friends. I do not see how this is not an NCAA violation. You're essentially giving someone free money for their sibling. I guess we all know it's for one guy, but maybe it cannot be proven through gift of a scholarship.

If lsu offered deal....its instate and close....wonder why there is even a delay in taking it... he loves O.....seems like a no brainer
 
I have read where his brother isn't even enrolled in Junior College, making this almost an impossible feat.

I've read the same but yet to see it verified or even reported. All I've seen has been people saying it with no reference for their comments.

If lsu offered deal....its instate and close....wonder why there is even a delay in taking it... he loves O.....seems like a no brainer

Because there are better opportunities? He could be coached by a better coach? Hell, even their own fans are admitting their staff isn't good: and they're right. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the projection of that program and it's not on the way up.
 
If lsu offered deal....its instate and close....wonder why there is even a delay in taking it... he loves O.....seems like a no brainer

Because there are better opportunities? He could be coached by a better coach? Hell, even their own fans are admitting their staff isn't good: and they're right. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the projection of that program and it's not on the way up.

Thats good...cause a lot of these guys aint rocket scientist.....
But lsu turns out the talent to the nfl....captures big time recruits...
Got good tradition and history....great facilities........
Hell...i even like "O".....
 
@50+yeartidefan, With some prospects which school they attend won't likely matter in terms of their draft potential/round. Sopsher looks to be one of those: much like Clowney as one example.

The one thing that hasn't changed is the ability to know what motivates a lot of these kids: where to play is one and now we're looking at if they play as well.
 
@50+yeartidefan, With some prospects which school they attend won't likely matter in terms of their draft potential/round. Sopsher looks to be one of those: much like Clowney as one example.

The one thing that hasn't changed is the ability to know what motivates a lot of these kids: where to play is one and now we're looking at if they play as well.

Concur....getting them motivated....keeping them motivated.....
Hell.....just keeping them...in some cases....
 
Is the brother any good? I don't see CNS bowing down to his request, but if the brother is any good...
No.

He runs and tackles with shit pad level. May as well be standing straight up. Hell, he pretty much already is.

I couldn't handle much more than 2 mins of his "highlights"

See for yourself, if you must...






247 has him as a no-star composite, or N/A
Rodney Sopsher, Ellsworth C.C., Strong-Side Defensive End
 

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