LSU Football: Final report card from title-winning 2019 season
By Dante Pryor
Overall defense grade: A-
Outstanding Performers:
Derek Stingley, Jr.: 38 total tackles, six interceptions, 15 passes defended. Stingley Jr. was not only the best freshman defender in the country this season, but he might also have been the best first-year player in the country. He was so dominant Clemson did not throw the ball toward him in the title game.
Kristian Fulton: 38 total tackles, one interception, 14 passes defended. Not to be outdone by his younger counterpart, Fulton made life difficult for quarterbacks who decided to throw his way instead of Stingley’s.
Kary Vincent Jr.: 47 total tackles, four interceptions, eight passes defended. LSU figured out quickly you need three high-caliber defensive backs to successfully defend high-powered offenses in this era of college football. Kary Vincent rounds out the best trio of defensive backs in college football.
Defensive Line: A-
Like most defenses, the Tigers played multiple front concepts defensively. Depending on who they play, the Tigers might use a four-man or three-man front. They have such freakish athletes, they might play four down linemen, but their rush ends might be hybrid linebackers. That’s what made their defensive line so good. They have such versatility defensively.
Linebackers: A
Speaking of freak athletes, their linebackers fit the bill perfectly. All four linebackers they use can run like defensive backs and cover sideline to sideline against the run. K’Lavon Chaisson and Patrick Queen had monster years at linebacker this season. When former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda had his full complement of linebackers, they were dangerous and gave offensive coordinators fits.
Secondary: A+
Anytime you can get pressure without sending the house that gives a defensive coordinator the opportunity to do creative things with your coverage. When you have talented corners that can play man you can send exotic blitz packages. When you can do both, that’s a defensive coordinator’s dream. LSU’s secondary can do both. Not only that freshman phenom cornerback Stingley cut off half the field this year.
Next. Ranking college football's top 50 fanbases. dark
Special Teams: B+
If there was a “weakness” on this team, it was the kicking game. The kicking game was good, not outstanding. Kicker Cade York made under 80 percent of his field-goal attempts, but the Tigers scored so many touchdowns that wasn’t a weakness that cost them. The return game was solid with two kick returns for touchdowns.