By BEN LOVE
Derrius Guice and Arden Key will be really good for LSU football this season.
You knew that already.
So allow me to take a stab at identifying players on the verge of becoming household names in the fall of 2017 that maybe haven’t quite made it to that status yet. (After you peruse one thing will probably be clear – LSU has a ridiculous wealth of young, up-and-coming defenders.)
DE Rashard Lawrence (So, 6-3, 301)
Not going out on a terribly precarious limb here. The former Neville star showed flashes of future brilliance in his true freshman campaign, playing in nine games and tallying a sack. Lawrence is the prototypical defensive end in Dave Aranda’s 3-4 front. He’ll tie down offensive lines against the run and contribute to a hellacious pass rush that features a bevy of skilled edge rushers standing up as outside linebackers. Expect big things from No. 90.
WR Drake Davis (So, 6-3, 217)
The athleticism has never been in question for Lester Earl’s kid, nor the phenomenal frame for Davis at wide receiver. In the spring game Davis got plenty of run with the first-team offense and even lined up to return kick-offs first. Between Guice and DJ Chark, LSU fans know who some of Matt Canada’s primary offensive weapons will be. Davis represents the intriguing type of skill-position toy that Canada will have to mold, along with new receivers coach Mickey Joseph. If Davis matches the raw talent with positional knowledge, learning how to gain separation, look out.
EDGE Andre Anthony (R-Fr, 6-5, 219)
Anthony’s will be the name on this list most LSU followers are least familiar with, and that’s about to change. For all the plaudits incoming freshman K’Lavon Chaisson is rightfully receiving, Anthony stands a chance to be as damaging an edge-rushing presence this fall. He’ll also be playing with a chip on his shoulder. After not making it to LSU in 2016, the Edna Karr product has been stewing for a season to wear the purple and gold. Now he has a chance to take it out on the SEC.
S Grant Delpit (Fr, 6-3, 191)
There’s no debate Delpit was the most impressive early enrollee during spring ball for LSU, exiting camp as a starter at safety. While many expected immediate impact from fellow 2017 signee JaCoby Stevens, and could absolutely still get it, Delpit stole the show. A rangy 6-foot-3, Delpit makes plays at the line of scrimmage and knows how to watch the back of a defense at safety. He’ll play a ton this season and give secondary coach Corey Raymond flexibility with how he deploys others in the defensive backfield.
LB Donnie Alexander (Sr, 6-1, 212)
Every other name on this list appears primed to explode in 2017, due largely to potential. The inclusion of Alexander is more about opportunity, and it might be most accurately stated that LSU needs the senior to be a breakout player. Aranda & Co. need Alexander to follow in the footsteps of Duke Riley and Debo Jones, who waited their turns in line and grew into early-round draft picks via huge senior campaigns. Is Alexander in that mold? Yet to be seen. But a lack of depth at inside linebacker gives Alexander his shot. The New Orleans native started twice in 2016 and finished with 45 tackles and an interception.
Honorable Mention: CB Greedy Williams (R-Fr, 6-2, 175) and C Lloyd Cushenberry (R-Fr, 6-4, 306)