LSU Football: 2017 Season preview and predictions

Defense

It’s possible that the Tigers have two future top 10 draft picks. Guice is one, and edge rusher Arden Key is the other. Key has already drawn comparisons to reigning No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett. Some people have gone as far to say that Key could be better than Garrett as soon as this season.

More: Projected 2017 2-deep depth chart for the LSU Tigers

The rest of the Tiger front seven is equally dangerous. Devin White, an All-SEC freshman team selection a year ago, takes over the starting middle linebacker job. He’ll play right alongside Donnie Alexander, who saw his role increase last season with the injury to Kendall Beckwith.

That linebacking corps, combined with a sturdy defensive line featuring Greg Gilmore, Christian Lacouture, and Rashard Lawrence, made the Tigers’ defense one of the most suffocating units in the country in 2016. They finished 13th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game. They were one of just five teams in the nation to surrender less than 1,410 total rushing yards last year.

The passing defense was equally stingy. The Tigers ranked 23rd in the nation in passing defense, but third in the SEC, ahead of the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide. Only one team in the nation, Florida, allowed fewer passing touchdowns than LSU. The Gators gave up eight scores through the air compared to LSU’s nine passing touchdowns allowed.

There will be new faces in 2017, but the strength of the Tigers defense will never be in question. Coach O has shown no signs of slowling down the recruiting momentum built up by Les Miles. As long as he keeps churning out top 10 classes, the LSU defense will be just fine.