|
|
|
|
LB
Darry Beckwith (PHOTO CREDIT: Steve
Franz/LSU Sports Information) |
|
|
2007
Statistics |
Coach:
Les Miles
34-6,
3 years |
2007
Record: 12-2 |
NATIONAL
CHAMPIONS |
|
at
Mississippi State |
WON
45-0 |
VIRGINIA
TECH |
WON
48-7 |
MIDDLE
TENN |
WON
44-0 |
SOUTH
CAROLINA |
WON
28-16 |
at
Tulane |
WON
34-9 |
FLORIDA |
WON
28-24 |
at
Kentucky |
LOST
37-43 (3OT) |
AUBURN |
WON
30-24 |
at
Alabama |
WON
41-34 |
LOUISIANA
TECH |
WON
58-10 |
at
Mississippi |
WON
41-24 |
ARKANSAS |
LOST
48-50 (3OT) |
SEC
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
vs.
Tennessee |
WON
21-14 |
BCS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
Ohio
State |
WON
38-24 |
|
2007
Final Rankings
AP-1, Coaches-1, BCS-2
|
2008
Outlook |
You
could hear the cries of "Encore,
encore!!!" as the Tigers
held up the Waterford Crystal
in the Superdome. It may seem
pretty arrogant to be thinking
of next year while still in
uniform and celebrating a championship
just won minutes earlier. But
the talent levels here are well
known, enough so by fans that
expectations are realistic that
there is more to come, possibly
starting just eight months after
their most recent title win.
See, head coach Les Miles has
more to prove since many naysayers
point to how this was a team
built by ex-Tiger headman Nick
Saban and his amazing recruiting
efforts. Three consecutive 11-2
seasons prove Miles, least of
all, knows how to procure the
talent in his coffers (whoever
may have recruited it) for the
ultimate prize they won last
year. Critics have to admit
this much, and the guts Miles
displayed in going for it last
year five times on fourth-down
against prior-champions Florida
has to sway even the toughest
of his scrutinizers that he
knows what's good for his team
and when/how to play his cards.
Miles
and offensive coordinator Gar
Crowton have their work cut
out with the quarterback conundrum
now playing out. Top dual-threat
hurler Ryan Perrilloux has been
playing immature games, going
on and off of suspension three
times in one year. The future
of the program seems to rest
in his decision to either step
up and fulfill his scholarship
or keep acting like the prim
Dona he has been who thinks
different sets of rules apply
for him. Miles has proven Perrilloux
is subject to the same rules,
so why this kid keeps ruining
his future and the team's chances
at a repeat title is baffling...
but so is being a New Year's
baby (b. 1-1-87) who has the
pressures of rabid Tiger alums
crashing down on his every move
in life. Perrilloux knows what
he has to do, but he is a kid…a
kid who is growing up while
in the catbird’s seat.
The weapons around him are amazing,
if not downright intimidating,
and are matched only by USC
and Florida for depth and speed.
With a line made of last year's
starters (except one), the offense
only needs their heir-apparent
to again soar as a balanced
group, a methodical unit.
The
defense has its own issues in
the back seven. Fortunately,
the new co-coordinators are
internal hires - DBs coach Doug
Mallory has gotten results all
three years so far, as has the
linebacking coach, Preveto.
These guys will provide the
coaching continuity needed from
last year, but neither is as
good (yet) as ex-DC Bo Pelini.
Still, the LBs need the most
progress before Appalachian
State arrives. The DBs consistency
has seen turnover, but the LBs
are suddenly new at two slots
with guys who haven't proven
much and depth that needs to
see real game reps before much
will be known about their true
potential(s). The one dimension
that is strong, the DL, is good
enough to carry the defense
much of the time. Short passing
and then deeper stuff will be
tested early and often, and
if they hold up, it will have
fans knowing they have the makings
for another SEC (West) crown
and possible title run. That
line is just too good.
The
Tigers have five hard games,
ones that are possible losses
if they aren't sharp. Obviously,
Auburn is always tough, and
their new-look spread offense
will test the back seven early.
The trips to Florida, South
Carolina and then the home tilt
with the Bulldogs make for one
of the toughest three-game stretches
any team will face in 2008.
Alabama and/or Arkansas will
be more than they seem... these
West Division foes know the
LSU game is always huge, and
each will give the champs their
best shot. They always do. For
SEC schedules, this one isn't
so bad, but daunting, nonetheless.
Do
they repeat or not? Well, this
swami says no, there are just
too many distractions with Perrilloux'
escapades and the issues on
defense. The SEC is just too
brutal to think this many holes
won't be exploited by even the
league's intermediate teams.
The bull’s-eye on their
backs requires a mature, centered,
well-led team to handle such
pressure. Miles will be tested,
his troops will be scrutinized
at every little turn, and the
Tiger alums will just put so
much pressure on the gridiron
happenings that little will
alleviate the insanity. Baton
Rouge is one of those crazy
football towns that goes nuts
come season and is unable to
turn off how intense it gets...places
like this do great when things
are fine, but once the problems/losses
occur, will the glass remain
half full as Tiger fans deal
with reality? It's just too
much to think that all of these
issues can fall into place properly
so another championship is seen
come January '09. More likely,
they take a concerted step back
and realize their few limitations,
using the time to grow into
the juggernaut that will take
the 2009 season by storm. And
they'll look good, even in their
losses, so the nation will again
fear the speed and aggression
LSU prospers soon enough.
Projected
2008 record: 10-2
|
|
|
WR
Brandon LaFell (PHOTO CREDIT: Steve
Franz/LSU Sports Information) |
LOUISIANA
STATE
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3.5 |
DL
- 4.5 |
RB
- 4.5 |
LB
- 3.5 |
WR
- 4 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 4.5 |
.. |
|
LOUISIANA
STATE
2007 Statistical Rankings |
OFFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
11 |
2 |
Passing: |
58 |
5 |
Total
Off: |
26 |
4 |
Sacks
Allow: |
66 |
9 |
|
DEFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
12 |
2 |
Passing: |
9 |
4 |
Total
Def: |
3 |
1 |
Sacks: |
27 |
2 |
|
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Andrew Hatch, 1-2-0, 9 yds.,
0 TD
Rushing: Keiland Williams,
70 att., 478 yds., 6 TD
Receiving: Brandon LaFell,
50 rec., 656 yds., 4 TD
Scoring: Colt David,
26-33 FG, 63-63 PAT, 1 TD, 147
pts.
Punting: None
Kicking: Colt David,
26-33 FG, 63-63 PAT, 141 pts.
Tackles: Kirston Pittman,
68 tot., 32 solo
Sacks: Kirston Pittman,
8 sacks
Interceptions: Curtis
Taylor, 3 for 26 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Trindon
Holliday, 19 ret., 26.2 avg.,
1 TD
Punt Returns: Chad Jones,
17 ret., 6.6 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOUISIANA
STATE
|
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 8 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 5 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Matt Flynn-QB, Shawn Jordan-FB,
Jacob Hester-TB, Early Doucet-WR,
Keith Zinger-TE, Carnell Stewart-OT,
Ryan Perrilloux-QB (dismissed)
|
DEFENSE:
Glenn
Dorsey-DT, Luke Sanders-BUCK,
Ali Highsmith-WLB, Jonathan Zenon-CB,
Chevis Jackson-CB, Craig Steltz-SS,
Patrick Fisher-P |
|
|
2008
OFFENSE |
QUARTERBACK
Life without Matt Flynn may be harder
to adjust to than life was without
JaMarcus Russell at this juncture
just one year ago. Besides winning
the BCS title, the effort in '07 was
to get Ryan Perrilloux in position
to take the reigns for this season.
But what seemed like the ultimate
resume (in-state Mr. Football; Gatorade
Player of the Year; National Offensive
POTY - TD Club of Columbus and USA
Today; National High School POTY -
Ball Park; No.1 dual-threat QB - ESPN
and Rivals; Parade All-American, etc.)
has yet to fully pan out for reasons
that don't seem to be football related.
Personal issue after personal issue
has this Reserve (LA) product looking
like a risk, someone who doesn't seem
ready for the responsibility of shouldering
the hopes of the defending national
champs. A fake ID in New Orleans,
then a fight, then, most recently,
Perrilloux missed classes and both
team workouts and meetings...all of
these troubles occurred in 12 months.
Now back on a short leash, the job
under center is probably still there
for Perrilloux if he stays focused.
But there area few other guys being
groomed to start the first game this
season – just in case - so who
knows? Perrilloux looked sharp and
ready to be the next great college
QB in last year's 21-14 SEC title
game win over Tennessee, the game
that vaulted LSU into BCS title contention
and the eventual crown. Jekyll, Hyde,
Jekyll, Hyde…argh!!! Wisely,
a stance has been taken that can work
for all. "He will be allowed
to compete fully for the position,"
Miles said in late March when Perrilloux
was put back on the roster pending
completion of any missed workouts.
Ouch...but the proverbial carrot has
been dangled in front of him and it
looks pretty easy to get to. The other
options are Harvard-transfer Andrew
Hatch (looks hot and cold in practice)
and Jarrett Lee, a strong-armed Texas
hurler who sits in the pocket more
than the other two. Realistically,
it's Perrilloux' to win or lose. These
other guys aren't capable of 'carrying
his jock', so it's a struggle this
season if Perrilloux messes up again
and somehow misses his destiny. The
ground dimension he brings is equaled
only by running QBs like Tim Tebow,
Pat White and Matt Grothe, affording
the RBs a distraction that keeps defenders
guessing until it's too late.
-
QB
The
big news obviously since spring ball
ended has been the dismissal of projected
starting QB Ryan Perrilloux. Three
suspensions in the past year finally
led to his downfall. At least Perrilloux
did not take part in spring practice,
which gave the other two candidates
all the snaps. Playing time will now
be divided between Andrew Hatch and
Jarrett Lee, and neither has experience
worth noting. Last season, Hatch played
in two games while throwing the ball
only twice while Lee was redshirted.
Hatch turned in a very solid performance
in the spring game, completing 13
of 17 passes for 184 yards and two
TDs. Lee got off to a slow start in
the spring game but finished strong,
going 7 of 13 for 181 yards. But those
numbers are a bit deceptive in that
110 of Lee's yards came on just two
plays.
Get
used to seeing the unique story on
Hatch play out through the media as
football season gets underway. He
is from Henderson, NV where he played
his high school ball. He was raised
a Mormon and was set to sign with
BYU while being recruited by former
Cougar head coach Gary Crowton. But
Crowton resigned before Hatch was
done with his prep career. Crowton
then convinced Harvard Coach Tim Murphy
to recruit Hatch, and so he ended
up signing with the Crimson in 2005
where he toiled near the bottom of
the Harvard depth chart. He never
played that first season, and then
left to go on a Mormon mission. Hatch
went to Chile for one year and injured
his knee playing pickup soccer. He
landed back in Nevada for rehab and
it was there that Crowton, who was
then coaching at LSU, got back in
touch with his former recruit and
convinced him to begin a new football
life in the Bayou.
Jarrett
Lee is, without a doubt, the more
natural QB. The pocket passer ranked
in the top three in the state of Texas
for passing his senior year (2006)
and was named the Greater Houston
Offensive MVP. But the Ivy League
Hatch seems to understand the playbook
better, according to Les Miles. This
indication was not so prevalent in
the spring game, but Hatch certainly
looked better in sustaining drives
down the field. He does not look as
good throwing the football as Lee,
but his mobility and decision making
was far better. So which one is currently
listed as the starter for the defending
national champions? ‘Neither’
was the answer given by Les Miles.
The bottom line is that both are going
to see the field. Until one shows
he is heads above the other, and don’t
expect such to happen, this will be
a dual QB role.
RUNNING
BACK
Another guy who it's going to be tough
to get guaranteed yards without is
Jacob Hester (not sure if the stat
is kept nationally, but Hester lost
15 yards on 225 carries, which had
to lead the country). Keiland Williams
looks like the same kind of runner
as Hester - big, punishing to would-be
tacklers, and a north-south type who
gets yards every time (6.8 yards per
carry). It was funny to see defenses
learn that Williams was no relief
this way from Hester when Keiland
came in for Jacob, and he would just
kill them when they let their guards
down. Another Gatorade POTY and Mr.
Football in-state, Charles Scott is
a step slower than Williams, but offers
similar qualities. Stevan Ridley had
a huge spring, forcing coaches to
consider his number. Ok, so that's
the "Bayou Boom" they'll
lower of foes... but LSU definitely
has plenty of "Louisiana Lightning"
to go with that thunder. Trindon Holliday
is arguably the fastest player in
college football, bar none. At 5'5,
Holliday squirts by lunging tacklers
before they hit the ground as they
miss the speedster (10.02 seconds
in the 100m; also a top long jumper;
he earned a spot at the World Championships,
but sacrificed it to prepare for the
’07 season). Foes can't see
Holliday much of the time until he
goes by, and he is tough enough to
handle the ball 20 times a game. When
Miles finally uses Holliday for his
full worth at WR (where he is listed),
we might see the next Heisman winner.
Richard Murphy is unlucky enough to
be behind all of these guys, but they
still make sure he gets involved every
game.
RECEIVER
The receivers go just as deep as the
backs. Brandon LaFell should be the
main target after leading the team
in receiving yards last year. At 6'3,
he is a long target, as is Terrance
Toliver at 6'5. Toliver proves to
be a deep threat worth noting (Texas
prep long jump champ). Dixon is an
underneath guy like Doucet was, for
he runs great routes and uses his
size to shield the ball from defenders.
Dixon played with Perrilloux in prep,
so their rapport is good. Jared Mitchell
is an all-around athlete who proved
his worth enough as a backup to start
five games last year. Chris Mitchell
(no relation) needs face time, too.
JUCO product Demetrius Byrd led all
receivers with seven scores to state
his case for reps... but incoming
Deangelo Benton (five-star prospect)
and Chris Tolliver will keep LSU four-deep
with/in capable hands. Byrd is rumored
to be solid as the second receiver.
TE Richard Dickson isn't a blazer,
but he was fourth on this team in
catches. A second end might be Matt
Branch, this year's No.6 TE prospect,
or Jordon Corbin, the No.1 TE recruit
out of Florida last year. Too many
weapons is a good problem to have,
and Les Miles has it.
OFFENSIVE
LINE
The line has four starters back and
a new face who is a monster-in-waiting.
That new face is Joseph Barksdale,
a top ex-defensive tackle who hasn’t
commanded the position yet, but is
getting up to speed quickly. The other
four guys started every game together
but one during the title run last
year. Senior Herman Johnson, a preseason
All-American here, is a monster every
week, crushing guys in his way. Ciron
Black is good, but he struggles against
athletic guys who are quicker around
the outside. Brett Helms is the center
who can call blocking schemes well
enough to win championships. RG Lyle
Hitt pulls well as the fastest of
the starters. Ryan Miller steps in
for anyone who needs a breather and/or
goes down to injury. Josh Dworaczyk
and Jarvis Jones are better suited
for the laterally developing plays
since they both move nicely, too,
like Hitt…both had excellent
spring practices and look almost ready
to start, if needed. It's an impressive
group who can facilitate this offense
as second-year coordinator Gary Crowton
sees fit.
How
creative Crowton can make the play
calling is up to who winds up under
center. It will be a shame if this
much talent goes to waste because
Perrilloux spins his wheels off-field.
|
|
OG
Herman Johnson (PHOTO CREDIT:
Steve Franz/LSU Sports Information)
|
|
|
LOUISIANA
STATE 2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Jarrett
Lee-Fr (6-3, 210) |
Andrew
Hatch-Jr (6-3, 214) |
FB |
Quinn
Johnson-Sr (6-2, 225) |
Stevan
Ridley-Fr (6-0, 215) |
TB |
Keiland
Williams-Jr (5-11, 223) |
Charles
Scott-Jr (5-11, 223)
Richard Murphy-So (6-1, 198)
Trindon Holliday-Jr (5-5, 159) |
WR |
Brandon
LaFell-Jr (6-3, 180) |
Terrance
Tolliver-So (6-5, 180) |
WR |
Jared
Mitchell-Jr (6-0, 192) |
Ricky
Dixon-So (6-2, 216) |
WR |
Demetrius
Byrd-Sr (6-2, 195) |
Chris
Mitchell-Jr (6-0, 176) |
TE |
Richard
Dickson-Jr (6-3, 245) |
Mitch
Joseph-Fr (6-5, 245) |
OT |
Ciron
Black-Jr (6-5, 315) |
Ryan
Miller-Sr (6-6, 318) |
OG |
Herman
Johnson-Sr (6-7, 335) |
Clay
Spencer-Fr (6-6, 285) |
C |
Brett
Helms-Sr (6-4, 300) |
T-Bob
Hebert-Fr (6-3, 260) |
OG |
Lyle
Hitt-Jr (6-2, 284) |
Earnest
McCoy-Fr (6-5, 335) |
OT |
Joseph
Barksdale-So (6-6, 315) |
Josh
Dworaczyk-Fr (6-6, 270) |
K |
Colt
David-Sr (5-9, 175) |
Josh
Jasper-So (5-11, 165) |
|
|
2008
DEFENSE |
DEFENSIVE
LINE
The defense turns over the secondary
and two starting linebackers, but
the coffers are full of prospects
who are eager to help defend the titles.
The line is good enough to hold its
own and cause the kind of pressure
on QBs that will help the DBs via
to hurried throws. New co-coordinator
Doug Mallory has produced the No.3
pass efficiency defense for all three
years he's been in charge back there.
He can rebuild with ample talent to
employ, as can Brad Preveto, the other
coordinator who is in charge of the
LBs. Glenn Dorsey's high profile injury
meant reps for Marlon Favorite and
Al Woods, a true terror who led the
team in fumble recoveries. Woods will
have a breakout year, as will Favorite.
Nevis is another guy, like Woods and
Favorite, who benches 400+ and runs
a sub-5.0 second 40. With all of that
raw talent, there are still two guys
in front of them. Jean-Francois moves
even better than the other two, and
since he bulked up to 290lbs, he can
handle the inside assignment. Breaux
Bridge's Chuck Alexander (foot, knee)
is like Jean-Francois in that each
had an injury that was more debilitating
than Dorsey's was. But each is good
enough to hold his own on the depth
chart. The four ends stay the same,
thanks to a sixth-year of eligibility
for Kirston Pittman, another super
talented injury case (foot, Achilles)
who is back to full strength for 2008.
Jackson is definitely an All-SEC type,
over-achieving nearly every down.
Rahim Alem looks too good to be true,
earning a TFL for every two regular
tackles he makes. Expect the DL to
hold foes to under 100 rushing yards
per game with ease.
LINEBACKER
The linebackers look like the biggest
concern on D. Kelvin Sheppard has
yet to hit his stride, and Perry Riley
is fast, but holding up between the
tackles remains to be seen. Beckwith
is decent, but he has yet to take
command of these younger guys and
make the corps work as a unit under
his direction. Shomari Clemons moves
up from safety to bolster the outside/slot
matchups in defending spread teams.
When Riley and Jacob Cutrera sat out
spring drills, the unit didn't look
very sharp. If this area doesn't develop
as needed, it will be a tough year,
but they should be able to concentrate
on underneath coverage more since
the line can hold its own. The rebuilding
behind them is the other concern,
but not as big of one. Curtis Taylor
is the lone returning piece to this
puzzle. Taylor isn't the fastest guy,
but he can lay the wood. Harry Coleman
was playing with the first team most
of spring, supplanting oft-used nickel
Danny McCray and his sixth-most team
tackles from '07...not an easy task.
DEFENSIVE
BACK
Chad Jones was the No.1 athlete in
last year's national class - he plays
a gutsy style coaches may not be ready
gamble on every down (as a starter),
but he has the raw talent to grow
into the starter's role, if given
the shot. Hawkins and Eugene are both
super speedy, but Brooks and (Phelon)
Jones are the freshmen who want their
spots and have been pushing all to
new heights in practices. Miles seems
to notice the freshmen corners and
talks about them to the press to motivate
Hawkins and Eugene. The talent is
there in this backfield to grow into
a great group, but how fast that happens
is only trumped by the LB developments
for importance to the overall win-loss
record. Trying to compare this defense
with last year's wouldn't be fair
since the starters were all upperclassmen
in ‘07, a huge reason they stayed
on course and won the championship
by shutting Ohio State down. More
likely, this back seven plays out
like the '07 Gator’s DBs did
after they won the prior year - loads
of talent will still be too young
to play consistently enough to challenge
for their division half. With the
line so strong, don't be surprised
if they (instead) carry the team to
new heights due to their depth and
hunger.
|
|
DE
Kirston Pittman (PHOTO CREDIT:
Steve Franz/LSU Sports Information)
|
|
|
LOUISIANA
STATE 2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Tyson
Jackson-Sr (6-5, 292) |
Rahim
Alem-Jr (6-3, 252) |
DT |
Charles
Alexander-Sr (6-3, 294) |
Al
Woods-Jr (6-5, 325) |
DT |
Ricky
Jean Francois-Jr (6-3, 281) |
Marlon
Favorite-Sr (6-1, 300) |
DE |
Kirston
Pittman-Sr (6-4, 260) |
Tremaine
Johnson-Sr (6-2, 273) |
SLB |
Perry
Riley-Jr (6-1, 225) |
Kellen
Theriot-Fr (6-1, 228) |
MLB |
Darry
Beckwith-Sr (6-1, 225) |
Jacob
Cutrera-Jr (6-4, 225) |
WLB |
Kelvin
Sheppard-So (6-3, 228) |
Ace
Foyil-Jr (6-3, 229) |
CB |
Chris
Hawkins-Jr (6-1, 181) |
Ron
Brooks-Fr (5-10, 180)
Patrick Johnson-Fr (6-1, 175) |
CB |
Jai
Eugene-So (6-0, 175) |
Phelon
Jones-Fr (5-11, 195) |
SS |
Chad
Jones-So (6-3, 222) |
Harry
Coleman-Jr (6-2, 205) |
FS |
Curtis
Taylor-Sr (6-4, 195) |
Danny
McCray-Jr (6-1, 205) |
P |
Brady
Dalfrey-Sr (6-0, 207) |
Drew
Alleman-Fr (6-0, 170) |
|
|
|
2008
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Everyone
loves Colt David. He's reliable from inside
the 50, but David's career long for prep
and collegiate is 50 yards (in prep). If
David misses two again this year when they
go to Gainesville, LSU won't likely win
that game. Josh Jasper will push him, but
Jasper (Mr. Football in Tennessee 5A twice)
likely only holds the punting job, until
next year when he’ll do both. Brad
Dalfrey has the same big foot, and he is
pushing Jasper, as is Drew Alleman. LSU
out-punted its coverage often last year,
so control is in order for '08. Trindon
Holliday does amazing on kickoffs, and Chad
Jones is a good choice for punts since he
is a DB, but speed lives everywhere on this
roster, and another return man will come
from LaFell, Brooks and the two Williams
(Keiland and John).
|
|
|
|
Injured
players - LBs Perry Riley and Jacob Cutrera, DT
Charles Alexander, DE Kirston Pittman, TE Mitch
Joseph and RB Charles Scott are all ready to go
for August despite spring injuries.
Miles
has said that incoming players will have an immediate
chance to contribute at CB. Although Hawkins and
Eugene are currently listed at first team right
now, coaches are not ready to name the full-time
starters until fall gets here. Both had problems
covering LSU's top receivers in the spring game,
and coaches have expressed concern about the position.
Incoming frosh Patrick Johnson and Brandon Taylor
will contend for playing time.
The
head coach has also stated that Drew Alleman will
be handling the kickoff duties while Brady Dalfrey
will be the punter. The punting situation appears
fairly drastic as only one punt in the spring
game covered 40 yards. Replacing Patrick Fisher
is proving to be a difficult task.
RB
Richard Murphy has been making a big move up the
depth chart after being buried fourth on the list
behind Hester, Williams and Scott last season.
He has been the most consistent performer this
spring and is going to see a good many reps in
this offense. Fumbling is an issue that will not
be tolerated. Ergo, Keiland Williams fumbled early
in the spring game and never returned. He’ll
be back, but any more drops will mean more shuffling.
In
one of the competitive battles, Joseph Barksdale
beat out Jarvis Jones for the right tackle spot.
Another redshirt freshman, Will Blackwell, was
moved to the offensive line from defense midway
through the spring. LSU has good depth on the
offensive front to allow this needed transition.
It is one area at which the Tigers can even afford
an injury.
Chad
Jones did not earn a starting spot in the base
defense, but he may see more time in the nickel
package. During the spring game, Jones and Curtis
Taylor were the two deep safeties when the Tigers
went with five defensive backs. In that alignment,
Jones replaced Harry Coleman. |
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