The Tigers just got some much-needed good news.
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Sophomore defensive lineman Travonte Valentine has been officially cleared to join the roster. Over the weekend, Valentine passed the last of his academic requirements to qualify for enrollment The news is particularly timely, as the LSU defense has suffered a few key losses in recent weeks. Senior DT Christian LaCouture and sophomore DE Isaiah Washington suffered season ending injuries, and senior linebacker Corey Thompson is expected to miss half the season with a broken leg. All were expected to be key contributors in defensive coordinator Dave Aranda's new 3-4 defense.
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Valentine, a 6-2, 320 pound former high school All-American and four-star product out of Palm Bay, Fl., is expected to fill in nicely for LaCouture. Valentine was reportedly suspended from the LSU program last season after failing multiple drug tests and missing a significant number of classes. He then transferred to Mississippi State Gulf Coast where he became a standout junior college player.
