LSU Football: Tigers will struggle to replace Devin White

LSU football fielded a top-notch defense in 2018, championed by star linebacker Devin White. He’s off to the NFL Draft, leaving questions behind him in Baton Rouge.

Butkus Award winner and All-American linebacker Devin White has announced his intention to enter the NFL Draft. Communicating the decision to the public was a mere formality for White, who was coming off his second-consecutive 100-tackle season.

White is expected to a first round pick and could challenge his teammate Greedy Williams for Top 10 selection status. His early declaration was a long time coming, but it leaves LSU with a massive hole to fill in its defensive front seven.

Sophomore Patrick Queen is the obvious frontrunner to be the next man up. He started for White during the star’s first half suspension against Alabama, finishing the season with 11 appearances and 40 tackles. The depth chart behind him gets murky quickly.

Micah Baskerville saw limited action last season. Damone Clark saw even less. They’ll be neck and neck with incoming signee Donte Starks, a 4-star linebacker in the 2019 class. That’s the problem for LSU, though, they have so many different options and so few definitive answers.

Not having a clear next man up at such an important position is concerning, but head coach Ed Orgeron has several months to figure it out. Whether it’s one of those players or someone else, replacing White is going to be a challenge.

LSU stunned doubters with a 10-win season capped off by a No. 6 ranking and a Fiesta Bowl win over Group of 5 Champion UCF. White, the rock of the Tigers’ elite defense, played a crucial role in the success. Someone else will have to pick up his mantle.