Ed Orgeron isn't making many fans in the state of Texas, with his latest move reportedly coming in the form of blocking transfer offensive lineman Willie Allen from heading to TCU, per Gil Lebreton of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. According to the Advocate, LSU believes there was illegal contact between a TCU staff member and Allen.
ESPN's Jay Bilas was one to publicly call out Orgeron and LSU following reports of the school blocking Allen's transfer request:
Here's what the Telegram had to say about the decision:
But if you really want to see cheesy, consider the case of Willie Allen, a 6-foot-7, 300-pound offensive lineman who has announced he wants to transfer from LSU.
Allen's choice? TCU, a request that LSU promptly denied, according to multiple sources between Baton Rouge and Stadium Drive in Fort Worth. A source said that an LSU appeals committee ruled Thursday that Allen would be released from his scholarship, provided he transfers anywhere but to a Southeastern Conference school or TCU.
Allen's former high school coach doesn't understand the decision to block Allen's transfer:
"I don't like it, and don't think it's right," Godfrey said Friday. "The whole reason for leaving LSU is his and our business. It had nothing to do with any other school or anything else."
The Telegram report indicates that Orgeron and his staff are essentially standing in the way of the transfer because of TCU's efforts to recruit the state of Louisiana. The centerpiece of LSU's gripe is reportedly quarterback commit Justin Rogers, who famously spurned the Tigers while pledging to attend college in Fort Worth.
Allen has reportedly visited Baylor and UCLA, and spoken to Miami and Oklahoma, per the report. He missed his entire freshman season after undergoing surgery to repair a leg injury.
This also comes on the heels of the LSU head coach coming under considerable fire for effectively blocking Texas from operating satellite camps in the state of Louisiana. In the aftermath, former Kentucky head coach Hal Mumme actually went to the NCAA with his complaints.
It should be noted that this is simply a report at this point but the growing evidence toward Orgeron's recruiting practices isn't going over well, especially within the state of Texas.