Last Friday, Les Miles said that he could not see Josh Williford returning “in the foreseeable future” and that he would be “concentrating on his school work.”
Concussions end LSU starting offensive lineman’s playing career
Josh Williford will serve as a student coach this season after a second concussion.
Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
On Monday, Miles confirmed Williford would not return at all, saying that the senior guard and Alabama native would be a student coach this season, a move that effectively ends Williford’s college career.
This switch to student coach came shortly after he suffered a severe concussion on Aug. 8, his second in less than a year. The first, which came against Florida, caused him to miss seven games in the 2012 season.
The 6’7, 343-pounder was projected to be the starter at left guard this season, and had appeared in 31 games for the Tigers, 19 of which were starts. Sophomore Vadal Alexander has moved over from right tackle in Williford’s place, with Jerald Hawkins manning the vacant right tackle position.
For more perspective on Williford, check out this article by And The Valley Shook, which urged Williford to retire earlier this month:
The most terrifying part of the news stories about Josh Williford's concussion sustained in practice on Thursday is not that he was unconscious for five minutes. No, the scary part is the usual inclusion of some variation of the statement, "his career may be over."
There should be no "may" in the statement. This is not a career-threatening injury, this is a career ender. Williford should be able to run out with the team on Senior Day and receive the cheers of the crowd one last time, but he shouldn't ever play in another game and risk future injury.
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