LSU's Miles kicks starting-QB-to-be Perrilloux off team

NEW ORLEANS -- Ryan Perrilloux seemed like a perfect fit for LSU.

Les Miles bid farewell to stud quarterback Ryan Perrilloux. (US Presswire)

The Louisiana native had the rocket arm, mobility and versatility to make him a constant big-play threat and one of the most sought-after quarterback prospects in the country. He even had the French last name.

In spurts as a backup or fill-in starter last season, the sophomore showed the potential to rise to stardom, winning MVP honors in the Tigers' Southeastern Conference championship game triumph over Tennessee.

His lack of discipline off the field, however, became an increasing distraction for head coach Les Miles, who finally decided Perrilloux's presence on the roster was more trouble than it was worth.

Perrilloux was kicked off the defending national championship team Friday after a college career marked by legal and disciplinary problems.

Perrilloux "didn't fulfill his obligation as an LSU student-athlete," Miles said in a statement. "Ryan was given every opportunity to be a part of this football team."

Miles did not attribute his decision to any specific recent violation.

Still, it was clear Perrilloux's repeated breaking of team rules, and sometimes the law, made Miles worry whether it was worth keeping the talented heir-apparent to the starting job and risk another off-the-field distraction next season.

The timing of Miles' decision gives Perrilloux a chance to transfer to a lower-division program by next fall.

"We hope that a new beginning will benefit him," Miles said. "I wish Ryan and his family nothing but the best in any of his future endeavors."

The move also allows LSU to go into the summer without any lingering questions over whether Perrilloux, who was suspended during spring drills for missing team meetings and classes, would rejoin them when practice resumed in August and behave like a leader thereafter.

A backup to Matt Flynn last season, Perrilloux showed glimpses of great promise, drilling receivers downfield or punishing tacklers while running the option.

He played sparingly in LSU's victory over Ohio State for the national title. But the starting job for this coming season appeared to be his, provided he could avoid trouble off the field.