LSU football hates to see Dare Rosenthal depart to Kentucky

(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

He may no longer wear purple and gold, but Dare Rosenthal received glowing reviews from his former head coach and LSU teammate at SEC Media Days 2021.

A starter at left tackle for the Tigers last fall, Rosenthal announced in early July that he will transfer to Kentucky for the 2021 season. There were no hard feelings between Dare and Coach O as the two parted ways this summer.

“He’s a tremendous player. I hate to lose him,” Ed Orgeron told KSR’s Adam Luckett Monday afternoon.

“I recruited him out of Ferriday High School. Defensive lineman, went to offensive line. He didn’t want to leave. It was hard on him. I think they’ve got a potential first round draft choice there. Dare knows he’s got some stuff he needs to get better at and I’m sure Kentucky’s going to see that. He’s a great young man, a great team player.”

The respect Orgeron showed Rosenthal was echoed by his former teammate. Austin Deculus shared a line of scrimmage with Dare, starting on the opposite side at right tackle. A super senior that will break the LSU school record for games played in 2021, Deculus hated to see Dare leave LSU for Lexington.

“Dare’s my best friend,” Deculus said. “I can honestly say this with no hesitation– that dude’s a dog. Kentucky’s getting a great, great tackle, one of the futuristic types. He’s tall, about 6’8.” He can dunk. He can hoop, a great overall athlete. He’s football smart. The technique’s there. They’re getting a guy that’ll play to the whistle that’s a very dependable and very great player.”

Deculus will once again share a football field with Rosenthal this fall. The Tigers will make the trip to Lexington for the first time since 2007. Unlike Gus Malzahn and Joey Gatewood, Coach O is looking forward to facing off against his former player.

“He’s going to be wearing another helmet. He’s going to be trying his best. I’m going to expect his best against us, and he’s going to get our best,” Orgeron said. “He expects that, and that’s just the way it is.”