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SEC Football: Spring 2019 storylines for every SEC team

By John Mitchell

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Confetti falls after the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 35-28 in the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Confetti falls after the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 35-28 in the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

LSU: Replacing Devin White 

LSU took a step in the right direction in 2018 with a 10 win season that culminated in a Fiesta Bowl victory. They are hoping to take an even bigger step forward in 2019 to present a serious challenge to Alabama in the SEC West.

Few teams have as much returning production as the Tigers in 2019, and if they can navigate their way through a tough road game against Texas in September, LSU would have a real shot at the College Football Playoff even if they are unable to topple Alabama in Tuscaloosa in November.

LSU has the offense to contend, complete with a returning starter at quarterback and a lot of talent at the skill-positions. The Tigers have some key pieces to replace defensively, though, none bigger than Butkus Award winner Devin White, a player not easily replaced on the field or in the locker room.

White was LSU’s emotional leader last season to go along with his customary stellar play on the field. He was the best linebacker in the country, and he leaves a big void in the middle of the Tigers’ defense.

Junior Jacob Phillips is likely to step into the signal-caller role of the defense as he did when White was suspended for the first half of the Alabama game, but he is likely to stay put as the team’s middle linebacker instead of shifting over to the Rover position that White occupied.

Junior Patrick Queen started in place of White for the first half against the Crimson Tide, and led the team in tackles. He’s a versatile player who is likely to find a starting spot on LSU’s defense at either Rover or outside linebacker, where he started the final three games of the season.

If Queen stays on the outside, sophomore Micah Baskerville, a former four-star recruit, figures to be next in line to take over at Rover. Baskerville flashed potential in a reserve role last season, and figures to be tasked with greater responsibility in his second year in Baton Rouge.

Finding a suitable replacement for White figures to be the biggest challenge for LSU this offseason. With 16 returning starters, that’s probably all it would take for the Tigers to be a serious playoff threat in 2019.

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