College Football: Who’s the new DBU?
LSU is the new DBU
When it’s all said and done it’s impossible to deny just how prolific LSU’s track record of developing defensive back has been over the past decade. While the University of Florida and Ohio State have, and surely will, continue to serve as defensive back pipelines directly to the NFL, LSU has been able to do it better than anyone else, and this trend doesn’t look like it’s going to end any time soon.
All three schools profiled in this piece deploy their defensive backs in a remarkably similar way. By utilizing man press coverage, the school’s recruits are being asked to master one of the hardest techniques in a defensive back’s handbook, and ultimately helps them develop into the kind of plug and play prospects coveted by NFL talent evaluates.
A player like Jalen Mills, a 7th round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, is currently projected to start for his team as a second year pro due in part to his impressive press technique. While Mills isn’t the most athletic player in the NFL, only running a 4.6 40 yard dash at the NFL combine, his technical proficiency and aggressive tendencies have allowed him to break into the Eagle’s cornerback rotation over more experienced players.
Other universities are starting to take notice
Schools like the University of Washington and the University of Colorado have started to adopt similar man press cover schemes to those used by the likes of Florida and LSU and have since watched a number of their former players transition onto NFL rosters in 2016’s draft.
While zone coverage is much easier to play, and can hide a number of defensive deficiencies, utilizing a man press scheme allows players to stand on their own and improve their deficiencies, instead of working around them.
Next: Ranking the top 50 players in college football in 2017
Given LSU’s ability to tweak their scheme to highlight each players strengths and a steady stream of eager prospects making their way to Baton Rouge each year, it looks like they will continue to develop top-level talent, and retain the distinction of being the best school in the nation for defensive backs for years to come.