LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda laughed when asked how much he would like to have had freshman cornerback Derek Stingley for the Fiesta Bowl, especially considering how thin the Tigers are in the secondary.

“That would be a great Christmas gift right there,” he said.

Stingley, rated the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, signed with LSU in December and graduated from The Dunham School early. He passed up a chance to play in the prestigious All-American Bowl to participate in the Tigers’ last few bowl practices before the team left to come here.