Ryan Perrilloux

As one of the nation's top football prospects, Perrilloux was heavily recruited during his high school career.[2] Very early, Louisiana State University and the University of Texas at Austin emerged as the frontrunners for his commitment.[2] On July 26, 2004, Perrilloux verbally committed to Texas, pairing with Colt McCoy as Texas's quarterback recruit.[3] Texas head coach Mack Brown had not been able to recruit quarterbacks in his past two recruiting classes, since some of the best Texas prep QBs – like Rhett Bomar and Kirby Freeman – committed to out-of-state colleges, which is why Brown was particularly interested in signing Perrilloux. After remaining committed to Texas up to signing day, Perrilloux caved to local pressure publicly announced he would attend Louisiana State to much pomp and circumstance.[2] New LSU head coach Les Miles only had the job for a few weeks, and Perrilloux was considered the cornerstone of a relatively small recruiting class.[2] Perrilloux held a news conference on signing day and proclaimed he would win the Heisman Trophy as a true freshman.[4] A reporter asked him, "What about Jamarcus Russell?" Russell was the current LSU starting QB at the time. Perrilloux made the famous quip "Jamarcus Who?"[4]

Despite claims of competing for the Heisman Trophy as a true freshman, Perrilloux redshirted the 2005 season in order to learn the complex Jimbo Fisher offense.[5]

As the third-string quarterback for the 2006 Tigers behind juniors JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn, Perrilloux saw only limited playing time in 2006.[6] In a game versus Louisiana-Lafayette on September 2, he completed his only pass of the 2006 season.[6]

It was reported by a Baton Rouge TV station on May 23, 2006, that Perrilloux desired to transfer to a junior college or Grambling State University.[7] The story was quickly refuted by Perrilloux and his family, as well as LSU coach Les Miles.[7]

The Times-Picayune reported on January 11, 2007, that Perrilloux was a "person of interest" in a Federal investigation being conducted in New Orleans, Louisiana.[8] However, Federal representatives could neither confirm nor deny this story.[9] Although he had not been accused of any crime, Perrilloux retained the services of Baton Rouge attorney Nathan Fisher.[10]

On May 22, 2007, LSU head coach Les Miles suspended Perrilloux from the football team indefinitely after the player was issued a misdemeanor summons by police when he allegedly tried to use his brother's driver's license to get onto the Hollywood Casino gambling boat.[11] Further, Miles told reporters they would not be permitted to talk to Perrilloux until he did something in a game that was worth discussing. However, Miles reinstated Perrilloux in time for preseason practice. Perrilloux was one of the candidates to replace JaMarcus Russell as LSU starting quarterback, but lost out to the more experienced Matt Flynn, a senior.[12]

On September 15, Perrilloux had his first start at quarterback for LSU, because Miles decided to rest regular starter Matt Flynn, who had sprained his right ankle a week earlier and whose participation in practice had been limited since. In a 44–0 rout against Middle Tennessee Perrilloux threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 20 of 25 attempts.[13]

On October 25, Perrilloux, teammate Derrick Odom and others were involved in a fight at The Varsity, a Baton Rouge nightclub.[14] On October 31, 2007, Odom and Jeremy Benton were dismissed from the team. Perrilloux remained on the squad, but was suspended for LSU's game against Alabama.[15] Perrilloux was not charged at the conclusion of the investigation.

On December 1, Perrilloux made his second start, this time in the SEC Championship Game versus Tennessee, replacing an injured Matt Flynn. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also scored on a two-point conversion run. Perrilloux led the Tigers to a 21–14 win over the Volunteers, and was named the player of the game by CBS Sports.[16] The victory helped propel the Tigers to the BCS National Championship Game against Ohio State, after #1 Missouri and #2 West Virginia lost later that night.[17] It was the second time since 2001 that a backup quarterback led LSU to the SEC Championship Game victory (Matt Mauck did it in 2001 versus Tennessee). He finished the season with 694 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions.[18]

On February 18, 2008, Coach Miles indefinitely suspended Perrilloux for violating team rules. The rules which he violated are unknown,[19] but an LSU associate athletic director stated "it's nothing outside the football program".[20][21] The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that Perrilloux's transgressions included missing classes, workouts and at least one team meeting.[22]

On May 2, 2008, LSU head coach Les Miles kicked Perrilloux off the team for "not fulfilling his obligation" as an LSU student-athlete.[23] He is reported to have a failed a drug test due to marijuana, missed a team meeting, skipped classes and was late for a handful of conditioning workouts.[24]

On May 14, 2008, Perrilloux transferred to Jacksonville State University and was eligible to play immediately.[25] He played his first game with Jacksonville State against Georgia Tech on August 28, 2008, in the starting quarterback position. Jacksonville State lost that game 41–14.

After an opening loss to Georgia Tech, Perrilloux led JSU to an 8–3 season, completing 174 of 276 passes for 2,199 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was also named OVC Newcomer of the Week and OVC Offensive Player of the Week during the season.

On January 13, 2009, Perrilloux announced that he would return for his senior season after being told by the NFL Advisory Board that he would not likely be drafted in the first three rounds.[26]

Perrilloux was suspended again at the beginning of the 2009 season for violating undisclosed team rules.[27] However, through the next five games of the 2009 season, Perrilloux had the best passer rating of all eligible quarterbacks in D1-AA (FCS) and D1-A with a 199.22 rating, having thrown for 961 yards, 12 Touchdowns and 1 interception. He had also rushed for 125 yards and three more scores on 40 attempts.[28] Jacksonville State coach Jack Crowe said earlier that year, following Perrilloux's suspension, "We have not made a different set of rules for Ryan," Crowe said. "He has the same consequences as any one of our players and there is very little room for error. I do not think this is a reflection of his accountability since he has been here. Our fans do not need to assume more than it is, which is a team rule. Since the incident, Ryan has demonstrated his responsibility to this team and this university. I expect this to just be a one-time incident."[27]

Perilloux was named Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2009.[29]