LSU's Patrick Peterson vehemently denies connection to Willie Lyles

Former Texas A&M assistant Van Malone accused Will Lyles, owner of the Houston-based scouting company Complete Scouting Services, of requesting $80,000 in exchange for Patrick Peterson signing with the Aggies in 2007. Given the issues surrounding his “scouting service”, being connected to Lyles these days is not exactly optimal for one’s reputation as schools such as Oregon and LSU have learned. Peterson’s father Patrick Sr. claimed to know nothing of the request Lyles made of Malone, calling the revelation “shocking” while comparing Lyles and his recruiting ilk to escort services. This afternoon, Junior issued his own denial. Peterson, a Florida native who was originally a Miami Hurricanes commitment before signing with LSU, fired off a statement through his former school vehemently denying any involvement on the part of Lyles in his recruitment. “I have never had any type of relationship with Willie Lyles and he had no influence on my decision to attend LSU, or any other school for that matter,” Peterson said on the statement. “He had no involvement with my recruiting process and I resent the fact that my name has come up in these allegations. I chose LSU because it’s a great school with a great football program. I never received nor was I offered anything to go to LSU and anyone saying otherwise is being dishonest.”