Spring Preview: Defense

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By James Moroney

LSU enters the spring losing six defensive starters from last year’s national championship team. Each one of those starters brought leadership and experience to their positions and will be missed this year. Here is something that will help Tiger fans sleep a little better at night.

There is no one in the country that has the ability to reload like LSU, and that includes USC. LSU lost an All-American safety in the National Championship Game and barely saw any drop off in performance when Harry Coleman stepped in. If Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto can make a smooth transition into their co-defensive coordinator positions, the LSU defense could be better than last year’s defense. Here are the guys that will soon be household names (if they aren’t already).

Defensive Line

Depth Chart: Tyson Jackson, Charles Alexander, Ricky Jean-Francois, Kirston Pittman, Tremaine Johnson, Marlon Favorite, Al Woods, Rahim Alem, Will Blackwell, Drake Nevis, Kentravis Aubrey, Lazarius Levingston, Sidell Corley.

Projected Starters: Tyson Jackson, Charles Alexander, Ricky Jean-Francois, Kirston Pittman.

Possible question marks: Will Charles Alexander come back at 100 percent? If he does, the only real question remaining is who will step up and be the next All-American defensive lineman for LSU. Obviously you can’t replace a guy like Glenn Dorsey, who brought energy, leadership, and the will to dominate all life on the football field to every game. He was a leader on the field and that leadership and confidence need to be replaced this spring. Of course the line consists of two seniors, the defensive MVP for the national title game, and a six year, two time national champion in Kirston Pittman. I think Les Miles can find some leadership somewhere in those guys.

Reason to be excited: Welcome to tour de force version 2008. This might be the first time that CBS has to issue a parental advisory for a football game because the level of domination from the LSU defensive line might not be suitable for children.

Ten, I repeat, 10 players on the defensive line saw action in significant games last season. That is a ridiculous amount of depth. You might remember the scene from Jurassic Park when Jeff Goldblum is sitting on the back of the jeep and they are driving away from the Tyrannosaurus-Rex. That’s what it will be like for opposing quarterbacks next season except there will be four of them and he won’t have jeep to run away on.

Newcomers to watch: Drake Nevis, Kentravis Aubrey, Will Blackwell, Sidell Corley

Linebackers

Depth Chart: Perry Riley, Darry Beckwith, Kelvin Sheppard, Shomari Clemons, Jacob Cutrera, Ace Foyil, Kellen Theriot.

Projected Starters: Perry Riley, Darry Beckwith, Kelvin Sheppard.

Possible question marks: Experience. Ali Highsmith and Luke Sanders finished their LSU careers with six combined years of starting experience. Perry Riley and Kelvin Sheppard will have to grow into the potential they have shown on special teams.

Another area of concern from last year was linebackers in coverage. Riley, Sheppard and Beckwith need to get comfortable with the new coordinators and make sure they understand the different schemes they use in passing situations.

Reason to be excited: Kelvin Sheppard. Watch for him to develop into a playmaker next year. Sheppard should get plenty of opportunities with the defensive line opening holes for him to blitz or come up and stop the run.

Depth is another area where this team has improved from last season. Jacob Cutrera is more than capable of stepping in with little drop off in production. Shomari Clemons and Kellen Theriot both have the athleticism and talent to be solid contributors if called upon.

Newcomers to watch: Kellen Theriot

Defensive Backs

Depth Chart: Curtis Taylor, Harry Coleman, Jai Eugene, Chris Hawkins, Chad Jones, Danny McCray, Phelon Jones, Ron Brooks, Stefoin Francois, John Williams, Tyson Andrus

Projected Starters: Curtis Taylor, Harry Coleman, Jai Eugene, Chris Hawkins

Possible question marks: Experience on the outside. LSU has one of the most athletic secondaries in the country, but after losing the experience of Zenon and Jackson it’s a safe bet that there might be a learning curve next year on the corners.

Danny McCray also got picked on a lot last year in the nickel packages. He is a junior this year and it’s time for him to become a playmaker.

Reason to be excited: Harry Coleman. This guy is the scariest looking man I have ever seen, and that’s when he is walking around campus with a backpack. Just imagine him when he is gunning for you at full speed. Harry Coleman could do what Craig Steltz did last year and start one year and be an All-American. Most people are talking about Chad Jones, who is going to be a fantastic player, but don’t sleep on Coleman. He’s 6-3 204 and hits like a semi. After watching Coleman’s hit on Todd Boeckman, the weather service should rewrite the tornado warning to say, “When a tornado is close it may sound like a freight train, jet engine, or Harry Coleman before he hits the quarterback.”

Newcomers to watch: Phelon Jones

Next week: Special Teams

Originally Published: Issue 601 - March 26, 2008

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