METAIRIE — LSU's baggage players are off the board.
LSU junior tailback Derrius Guice, projected as a late first-round pick, ended up being a late second-round pick of the Washington Redskins Friday night after questionable "character" issues arose in recent weeks. The Redskins used the 27th pick of the 32-pick second round and 59th overall selection for Guice (5-10.5, 224 pounds).
Guice was not even the first LSU player selected. That was junior cornerback Donte Jackson, who was the 23rd pick of the second round and 55th overall to Carolina. Later in the second round, LSU wide receiver D.J. Chark of Alexandria was the 29th pick of the second round and the 61st overall selection by Jacksonville, where he will join former LSU tailback Leonard Fournette — a first-round pick last year.
Then in the third round, LSU defensive end Arden Key, who has well-documented character issues as he took a leave of absence after the 2016 season to try to straighten himself up, was selected by the NFL team which has a history of embracing "outlaw" players. The Oakland Raiders picked Key — projected as a top five pick of the first round after his sophomore season in 2016 — with the 25th pick of the third round and the 87th overall.
Guice mysteriously fell in the draft for such issues as being late and missing interviews with NFL personnel. He was called immature and high maintenance, according to some.
Guice, 20, holds the LSU record for yards gained in a game with 285 against Texas A&M in 2016. He also has the No. 3 rushing game in LSU history with 242 yards against Arkansas that same season.
Guice's best LSU accomplishment may be his LSU record for yards gained per rush with 7.75 in 2016 as he gained 1,387 yards on 183 carries. Fournette is third at 6.5 yards a rush in LSU history. Guice had an off year in 2017 because of some nagging, recurring injuries as he gained 1,153 yards. But he still played in LSU's Citrus Bowl loss to Notre Dame Jan. 1 and gained 98 yards on 21 carries along with three catches for 24 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
Jackson (5-11, 178) is a track star turned promising cornerback. He used his 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash to make four career interceptions in three seasons with the Tigers along with 18 pass breakups.
Chark caught 40 passes for 874 yards and three touchdowns in 2017 after catching 24 for 466 yards and three touchdowns in 2016.
Key set the LSU record for sacks in a season with 12 in 2016 as a sophomore and forced three fumbles. After his spring away from football in 2017 and shoulder surgery, Key got out of shape and had only four sacks last season in eight starts.