Will Lack of a Passing Game Hold Back LSU Tigers?
Defense
With six starters back and some really talented players waiting in the wings, this unit should be stronger than it was last year. The defense still has some kinks to work out, but overall there is too much talent and depth to not expect it to carry the Tigers this year, as a typical LSU defense does. But for defensive coordinator John Chavis, the questions start at the beginning.
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The front four sustained two major losses in Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson at defensive tackle. Last year the two combined for 4 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss. However, they’ll be replaced by sophomore Christian LaCouture and junior Quentin Thomas standing at 6’5 and 6’3 respectively and 298 and 290 pounds. Maquedius Bain and Greg Gilmore are both redshirt freshmen this year, both standing at 6’4 and weighing more than 300 pounds, and will also be in the rotation at tackle. The better news, though is that both defensive ends are back in junior Danielle Hunter and senior Jermauria Rasco. Last year, the two combined for 41 solo tackles, another 72 assisted tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, and 7 sacks. Behind them, sophomores Tashawn Bower and Lewis Neal have a lot of potential, and Frank Herron still has the potential to still live up to his 5-star Rivals billing.
The linebacker unit returns lots of talent, but leading tackler Lamin Barrow will be missed. However, D.J. Welter is back for his senior season to anchor the middle, and Kwon Alexander is back on the outside. Lamar Louis will be a junior and the other starting outside linebacker, and he does have experience and was highly recruited. This is his chance to shine. Deion Jones will provide depth as an experienced junior, as should sophomore Duke Riley. Kendell Beckwith saw plenty of action as a freshman as well.
The secondary is the strongest part of this unit. Safety Craig Loston is the only loss from a pass defense that ranked 13th in the nation in fewest yards allowed per game last year. Cornerback Jalen Mills will probably break out into a superstar this year if he can stay out of trouble, coming off a sophomore campaign in which he had 3 interceptions and another 3 sacks. Te’Davious White had a very strong freshman season as a starter with 2 interceptions, and he could be another superstar. With those two guys on each side, LSU will be
Nov 29, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) fumbles the ball between LSU Tigers defensive end Jermauria Rasco (59) and cornerback Dwayne Thomas (13) in the fourth quarter at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Arkansas 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
able to run lots of man-to-man coverage and blitz even more. Safety Ronald Martin will be able to provide the leadership for the group as a senior, and Rickey Jefferson will become the full-time starter as the other safety in his sophomore season. Corey Thompson will also be able to be used often, and Jalen Collins has experience as well. Both are juniors and saw plenty of action last year. Sophomore Dwayne Thomas and true freshman Ed Paris were both highly recruited out of high school, and they’ll be able to provide depth at the position.
The defensive unit has enough horses for the front seven to deal with losing three starters, and the secondary is going to be so loaded this year that expect the group overall to be better than last year. Chavis has a lot of flexibility with the talent he has, and there’s no reason to expect too many issues on this side of the ball this year.