SEC Football: Most important newcomers for each team in 2021

5. LSU Tigers

Unlike the season after their national title run, the Tigers return a young team with many starters returning next season. Sometimes it is not how many players you lose; it is which players you lose. The offense loses Ja’Marr Chase (he opted out last season) and Terrance Marshall at receiver. The defense loses lineman Tyler Shelvin, linebacker Jabril Cox and safety Kary Vincent.

Expect all five players to play on Sunday as well. The Tigers, however, are not short on stars.

• Mike Jones (transfer), LB: A converted quarterback, Jones transfers from Clemson, where he played sparingly. Jones is a natural athlete with a pedigree; his father played at North Carolina State and in the NFL. Jones gives the “other” Tigers a veteran that can come in and compete for a starting job and play on special teams where he excelled at Clemson.
• Maason Smith, DT: It is a rarity that five-star recruits do not see the field early in their careers. Though the Tigers are fairly deep in the defensive trenches, expect Smith to see some snaps early. Though Smith was recruited at defensive tackle, he did play at end a lot in high school. The Terrebonne high school stand-out has a ready-made collegiate frame and can play across the entire defensive front. Expect to see Smith in pass-rush situations early in the season as he rounds into an every-down college defensive end.
• Sage Ryan, S: The Tigers are thinnest in the defensive backfield losing two veteran starters. Five-star safety Sage Ryan can fill those holes or any on the field, for that matter. Ryan is an explosive elite athlete who can play safety, corner, receiver, running back, and even cover kicks and punts. There might be some who scoff at his 5-foot-10 inch height, but speed will always get you snaps. Expect the Tigers to find somewhere for that 4.45 speed to play this season.