Welcome everyone to the final edition of the LSU position previews! As we get towards the season opener against BYU, we’re finally at the last preview for the Tigers.
LSU over the last few years has developed a reputation of getting the best players in the country in the secondary. So much so, they’ve proclaimed themselves to be DBU. With some of their best players off to the NFL, this will be Dave Aranda’s first real test as defensive coordinator.
On with the preview!
Departing Players:
The most notable departure for the Tigers last season in the secondary has to be Tre’Davious White. The Shreveport native was one of the most difficult cornerbacks to pass against last year and led the nation with a 90.5 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus.
Another big name in the secondary that is no longer part of the team is Jamal Adams. Adams had a strong junior campaign and entered the NFL Draft early and wound up a Top 10 draft pick.
Sticking with the position of safety, Rickey Jefferson and Corey Thompson departed after exhausting their eligibility, leaving only one returning player at the position of safety.
Rounding out the departing players in the defensive backfield is Dwayne Thomas, Brandon Surtain, and Tashawn Bower. All three of these players had varying levels of success throughout their time in the purple and gold.
Returning Players:
While the Tigers lost quite a few talented players, there are still quite a few players that will pick right where White and Bower left off. Starting things off with Donte Jackson, the junior racked up 39 tackles and two interceptions last season and will look to prove that he is one of the elite corners not only in the SEC, but in the country.
Kevin Toliver will also be making a case to be one of the best on this team after a solid sophomore campaign of his own with 20 total tackles in six games before suffering an injury in 2016.
Closing things out on the defensive back/cornerback front is Kristian Fulton who saw some playing time as a true freshman, but only saw limited time on the field.
When you look at the safeties on this team, there’s some veteran leadership at the top with Ed Paris and John Battle on the frontlines. That being said, there’s one freshman that could be making an immediate impact.
The Other Guys:
That freshman I mentioned that could make an immediate impact is none other than Grant Delpit. While there’s several other freshmen on both sides of the ball, the hype has been real for the 6’3” 191-pounder out of Houston, Texas.
Some of the other players that could be making an impact include Kary Vincent Jr. and Xavier Lewis, who was redshirted in 2016. Both of these young players seem poised to see some more playing time this season, but that may be dependent on injuries to the more experienced players in the secondary.
Overall Thoughts:
While the Tigers lost some power hitters in Jamal Adams and Tre’Davious White, it seems like LSU’s secondary is in very good hands for not only 2017, but into the next few years.
-Clint Domingue