Welcome to the latest LSU position preview, where we break each position down heading into the 2016 season! This week, we break down the linebacker position.
Who Left After Last Season?
The LSU Tigers are losing some major players at the position of linebacker. Deion Jones, now playing for the Atlanta Falcons, tore it up in his senior season accumulating 100 tackles, five sacks, and two picks. Lamar Louis is another senior that may not have had a breakout season, but still made enough of an impact. Also Christian Pittman and Grant Leger left the team, but didn’t have as much impact as Lewis and Jones.
Who’s Coming Back?
While LSU is losing a couple of big names, the linebacker position is bringing back some heat and at the top of that list has to be Kendall Beckwith. He has been a force the last two seasons with the Tigers, having over 70 total tackles and getting 10 sacks in 2015. If there’s one guy on this defense that could disrupt the opposing offense, it would be him. But then you’ve got the other senior in the linebacker corps, Duke Riley. He hasn’t been the force like Beckwith has, but if he’s given more time on the field, expect his production to skyrocket under the new system being introduced by Dave Aranda. Other players to watch out for are Donnie Alexander and Devin Voorhies, who are probably going to round out the linebacker position.
The Other Guys
When it comes to the fresh meat at linebacker, two names spring to mind: Michael Divinity and Rahssan Thornton. Divinity, out of John Ehret could be seeing a lot of playing time as a freshman. He has the build and could be used in a litany of positions, even the defensive end spot. There are also players like Devin White who could also see playing time in rotation to keep the more experienced players fresh.
Conclusion
If you weren’t convinced that LSU’s defense wasn’t all that it was hyped up to be, the front seven would like to have a word with you about the talent that is there. Yes, Christian Lacouture and Isaiah Washington are out for the year, but there’s still plenty of proverbial meat on the bone to give LSU a fighting chance in 2016.
-Clint Domingue
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