|
CB
Morris Claiborne |
2011
SCHEDULE
|
9-3-11 |
Oregon
@Arlington,
TX |
9-10-11 |
NORTHWESTERN
STATE |
9-15-11 |
at
Mississippi State |
9-24-11 |
at
West Virginia |
10-1-11 |
KENTUCKY |
10-8-11 |
FLORIDA |
10-15-11 |
at
Tennessee |
10-22-11 |
AUBURN |
11-5-11 |
at
Alabama |
11-12-11 |
WESTERN
KENTUCKY |
11-19-11 |
at
Mississippi |
11-25-11 |
ARKANSAS |
|
Coach:
Les Miles
62-17,
6 years |
2010
Statistics |
2010
RESULTS: 11-2 |
North
Carolina |
WON
30-24 |
at
Vanderbilt |
WON
27-3 |
MISSISSIPPI
STATE |
WON
29-7 |
WEST
VIRGINIA |
WON
20-14 |
TENNESSEE |
WON
16-14 |
at
Florida |
WON
33-29 |
MCNEESE
STATE |
WON
32-10 |
at
Auburn |
LOST
17-24 |
ALABAMA |
WON
24-21 |
LOUISIANA-MONROE |
WON
51-0 |
MISSISSIPPI |
WON
43-36 |
at
Arkansas |
LOST
23-31 |
COTTON
BOWL |
Texas
A&M |
WON
41-24 |
|
|
2010 Final Rankings
AP-8, Coaches-8, BCS-11
|
OUTLOOK |
Several
reasons can exist as to
why a team is ranked this
high in a preseason poll.
But the primary factor
usually boils down to
recruiting, talent and
recruiting, an area where
LSU has been blessed.
This depth chart at many
of the positions is really
not big enough to limit
the names down to a two-deep
situation. What really
hurt this team last fall
was the injury bug, in
particular across the
line of scrimmage where
games are usually won
and lost. The offensive
line went through some
major reshuffling due
to these injuries as did
the defensive line. Despite
the injuries, LSU was
still able to reel off
11 wins and a Cotton Bowl
victory. Henceforth, the
Tigers have been put in
a lofty position to start
the new campaign provided
a clean bill of health
can be achieved.
THE
BIG QUESTIONS
Who earns the starting
quarterback job? Jordan
Jefferson will be the
starter. He has won the
job outright through the
spring and has seemingly
bonded well with new offensive
coordinator Steve Kragthorpe.
That's the main reason
Kragthorpe was hired as
Gary Crowton's replacement…to
do a better job of teaching
the quarterbacks. If Jefferson
struggles look for former
Georgia QB Zach Mettenberger
to take the reigns. Who
is the prime running back?
While three or four different
ball carriers will get
their share of handoffs,
Spencer Ware has emerged
as the top replacement
for Stevan Ridley. Who
fills the void at defensive
tackle? Defensive line
coach Brick Haley will
rotate four players at
two tackle positions.
Look for two freshmen
to really make an impact
with early enrollee Anthony
Johnson and redshirt Ego
Ferguson. Who will be
the third target in this
receiving group outside
of Randle and Shepard?
There is no clear-cut
answer at this point,
which has to be a concern
right now for the passing
game. Tolliver, Boone,
Wright, Williams and Gore
have all shown promise
but none have stood out
enough to grab the limelight.
Who is the middle linebacker?
This is a crucial position
for a defense that likes
to utilize nickel and
dime packages. Unfortunately,
no one has proven to be
remotely as good compared
to the departed Kelvin
Sheppard. Gone with him
may be an entire defensive
scheme that might have
to be altered to some
degree without anyone
in place to reproduce
his tackling ability.
Will the kicking game
continue to be a source
of victories with new
faces? That one remains
to be seen too. But the
top candidates Alleman
(kicking) and Wing (punting)
have some seriously strong
legs.
One
of the biggest problems
for these Les Miles squads
lately has been the poor
play at quarterback. The
passing numbers have been
awful. Truth be told,
LSU is lacking playmakers
when it comes to catching
the pigskin. Yes, Randle
and Shepard offer some
chance of redemption with
this group but from tight
end to split end this
unit has been haunted
by inconsistency and a
lack of focus. Offensively,
the passing attack simply
has to do better for LSU
to compete for a national
title. But that's just
stating the obvious once
again. Defense can win
championships, but not
at this level when interceptions
and dropped passes have
become the norm.
Speaking
of defense...LSU will
continue to be one of
the best. Other than the
middle linebacker spot,
which is a big one, the
depth chart is extremely
rich with high school
All-Americans. This is
where LSU will continue
to push for the SEC crown,
winning games with stingy
coverage and hard-to-figure
schemes built around size,
speed, strength and oodles
of fresh bodies.
What
a brutal schedule. Would
we expect anything less
in SEC Country? While
some see a schedule such
as this a curse, the BCS
National Championship
Game has proven that playing
a difficult schedule is
more beneficial than not.
Opening with Oregon at
Jerry's Palace in Arlington
on Labor Day weekend is
an initial marquee examination.
What really will test
these Tigers however is
a four game stretch at
mid-season that consists
of Florida, Tennessee,
Auburn and Alabama. Going
unscathed through this
gauntlet is not likely,
which makes that opener
with Oregon a must win.
Coaches better answer
those questions at receiver
and middle linebacker
fast. Time is of the essence.
|
Projected
2011 record: 10-2
|
|
|
WR
Rueben Randle |
LOUISIANA
STATE
2010 Statistical Rankings |
OFFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
28 |
4 |
Passing: |
107 |
12 |
Total
Off: |
86 |
11 |
Sacks
Allow: |
58 |
5 |
|
DEFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
42 |
6 |
Passing: |
10 |
1 |
Total
Def: |
12 |
3 |
Sacks: |
17 |
3 |
|
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Jordan Jefferson, 118-209-10,
1411 yds., 7 TD
Rushing: Jordan
Jefferson, 123 att., 450
yds., 7 TD
Receiving: Rueben
Randle, 33 rec., 544 yds.,
3 TD
Scoring: Jordan
Jefferson, 7 TD, 1 2-pt.
conv., 44 pts.
Punting: None
Kicking: None
Tackles: Ryan Baker,
87 tot., 37 solo
Sacks: Ryan Baker,
7 sacks
Interceptions:
Morris Claiborne, 5 for
101 yds.
Kickoff Returns:
Ron Brooks, 7 ret., 23.1
avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Rueben
Randle, 2 ret., 5.0 avg.,
0 TD
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOUISIANA
STATE
2011
College Football Preview
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 9 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 7 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Terrence Toliver-WR, Joseph
Barksdale-OT, Josh Jasper-K/P,
Stevan Ridley-TB (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Lazarius
Levingston-DT, Drake Nevis-DT,
Kelvin Sheppard-MLB, Derek
Helton-P, Patrick Peterson-CB
(NFL) |
|
|
2011
OFFENSE |
QUARTERBACK
Last season the Tigers finished
102nd nationally in passing
yards per game and head coach
Les Miles has stressed that
a point of emphasis will be
placed on locating a better
passing attack with three quarterbacks
who are capable of producing
much better numbers. Point of
emphasis may be an understatement
considering the ghastly stats
fashioned from behind center
the last three years. Heading
into spring ball the race seemed
to be wide open with Jordan
Jefferson being a slight favorite.
Now that spring is over, yes
Jefferson will be the starter
with Jarrett Lee and Zach Mettenberger
battling it out for the backup
spot. While Jefferson struggled
through the latter part of the
actual spring game with his
statistics, his progression
through the entire spring camp
with new offensive coordinator
Steve Kragthorpe has drawn rave
reviews. Jefferson's past has
shown an ability to keep opponents
off-balance with his feet (the
team's leading returning rusher)
and his finale last season in
the Cotton Bowl throwing three
touchdown passes offered a few
glimpses of hope that he has
started to turn the corner with
his arm. The better news is
that a case can be made where
LSU has never enjoyed a deeper
set of signal callers. Fifth-year
senior Jarrett Lee has started
nine games and tossed nearly
400 career passes. Third, JUCO
transfer Zach Mettenberger was
bought in to push for starting
duties. Mettenberger was a redshirt
freshman at Georgia two years
ago before transferring and
many feel he will be the one
to push Jefferson for the starting
spot. Interceptions have killed
this offense under Jefferson
(17 career) and Lee (18 career).
That number needs to drop fast
before LSU can start winning
games with its offense.
RUNNING
BACK
Per usual, LSU is stacked with
a full cupboard of ball carriers.
Stevan Ridley was on his way
to a 1,000-yard rushing campaign
last fall and the outlook for
this group appeared to be stellar.
Then Ridley announced he was
leaving early for the NFL Draft,
which now forces one of the
other youngsters to rise up
and take the primary role. But
don’t be surprised when
multiple running backs end up
sharing multiple handoffs. Michael
Ford, Alfred Blue and Spencer
Ware all had flashes of star
power during their opportunities
to play in 2010 combining for
542 yards on 89 carriers. If
the spring was any indication,
former high school quarterback
Spencer Ware has cemented his
place as the leader to replace
Ridley. When it comes to possessing
all of the intangibles such
as gaining yards, blocking and
receiving, Ware is the complete
package and stole the headlines
from the spring game scoring
two touchdowns. He has a burst
Ridley didn't posses that will
likely translate into more big
gainers. Alfred Blue as a true
freshman last fall was the No.
1 backup to Ridley to start
September. He and receiver Jakhari
Gore (cousin of San Francisco
49'ers running back Frank Gore)
got most of the significant
carries in the spring game.
Michael Ford began to make an
impact last year at the midseason
point. He is a prototypical
tailback with both size and
speed but has a few problems
with blocking responsibilities.
Also enrolling early this spring
is Kenny Hilliard who just recently
set the Louisiana high school
rushing record with 8,603 yards.
Coaches want to continue using
the I-formation package with
walk-on James Stampley at fullback.
He has six starts under his
belt but will be hard pressed
to hold of J.C. Copeland who
was originally signed as a defensive
lineman.
RECEIVER
The passing game has been non-existent
in Baton Rouge but not all of
the negativity can be directed
solely toward the quarterbacks.
Dropped balls, poor route running
and just plain inconsistency
have hurt these aerial efforts.
In short, returning junior starters
Rueben Randle and Russell Shepard
have to shake these negative
descriptions and become playmakers.
No more excuses, Randle should
be the No. 1 receiver now that
Terrence Toliver has moved on.
This team desperately needs
Randle to utilize his talents
on every snap. Russell Shepard
too has been called out for
his inconsistency. Coaches have
displayed more patience with
Shepard, a former quarterback
in high school. He has the potential
to be lethal with yards after
catch but has only accomplished
said feat in a very limited
capacity. One of the biggest
question marks this off-season
will be locating a No. 3 receiver.
Only three other individuals
- Kadron Boone, Chris Tolliver
and James Wright have made a
college catch. Tolliver was
considered to be one of the
best receivers in the country
coming out of high school but
has only caught two passes in
three years while rarely seeing
the field. Suffice to say, Tolliver
has been a huge disappointment
thus far. Boone and Wright played
as true freshmen last fall in
special receiving packages.
Boone is considered one of the
favorites to push for that No.
3 spot. Four different redshirt
freshmen will also see time
on the field this fall with
Jakhari Gore, Jarrett Fobbs,
Armand Williams and Sam Gibson.
As a group, the inconsistency
issues have to be overcome.
It's obvious to see there is
way too much talent at this
spot to be so under utilized
no matter who lines up at quarterback.
TIGHT
END
This is one position that is
dominated by upperclassmen.
Deangelo Peterson is the pass
catcher. Coaches and fans had
hopes that Peterson would be
a reliable touchdown threat.
But that expectation never materialized
last year as Peterson was sidelined
with an ankle injury the first
three games and never really
found his groove afterwards
finishing with 16 receptions
and zero touchdowns. The former
wide receiver, if healthy, could
wind up being an integral part
of this passing attack. Plenty
of blocking tight ends dot this
lineup. Converted defensive
end Chase Clement started eight
games here last year grinding
out holes for the running backs
but is athletic enough to be
considered an efficient receiver.
A fifth-year senior, Mitch Joseph
can form a potent duo with Clement
in a run-blocking, two-tight
end formation.
OFFENSIVE
LINE
In years past, the offensive
line would have been perhaps
the biggest question mark of
them all. But with four returning
regular starters and four other
players who were pressed into
starting roles last season,
the Tigers’ offensive
line appears to be a strength.
Chemistry will also be a huge
bonus as many of these linemen
have been forced into playing
multiple positions across the
front due to assorted injuries,
each learning the role of the
other. Eight players on the
roster have earned at least
one start while four of them
have started at least ten games
(Dworaczyk, Hebert, Lonergan
and Hurst). Things got off to
a bumpy start right off the
bat last year when starting
guard Will Blackwell went down
with multiple ankle injuries.
Josh Williford was forced to
step in before Hebert took over.
To illustrate the current depth,
Hebert has 114 career knockdown
blocks but is expected to be
a valuable utility player. The
injury bug also found its way
to tackle Alex Hurst. Greg Shaw
took over before giving way
to Chris Faulk. The four starters
from the Tigers' Cotton Bowl
victory are all back although
there is so much competition
that changes are sure to take
place over the course of an
entire season once again. Blackwell,
Lonergan and Dworaczyk should
be LSU's best offensive linemen.
This is shaping up to be one
of the better offensive lines
in the SEC.
|
|
OG
Josh Dworaczyk
|
|
|
LOUISIANA
STATE 2011 DEPTH
CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Jordan
Jefferson-Sr (6-5,
220) |
Jarrett
Lee-Sr (6-3, 225)
Zach Mettenberger-So
(6-5, 235) |
FB |
James
Stampley-Sr (5-10,
210) |
J.C.
Copeland-So (6-1,
275) |
TB |
Spencer
Ware-So (5-11, 225) |
Alfred
Blue-So (6-2, 207)
Michael Ford-So (5-10,
200) |
WR |
Russell
Shepard-Jr (6-1, 188) |
James
Wright-So (6-2, 200) |
WR |
Rueben
Randle-Jr (6-3, 201) |
Kadron
Boone-So (6-0, 202) |
WR |
Chris
Tolliver-Jr (6-1,
190) |
Jarrett
Fobbs-RFr (5-11, 185)
Jakhari Gore-RFr (5-9,
175) |
TE |
Deangelo
Peterson-Sr (6-5,
240) |
Chase
Clement-Jr (6-5, 255)
Mitch Joseph-Sr (6-5,
275) |
OT |
Chris
Faulk-So (6-6, 316) |
La'el
Collins-Fr (6-4, 290) |
OG |
Will
Blackwell-Sr (6-5,
295) |
Josh
Williford-So (6-7,
345) |
C |
P.J.
Lonergan-Jr (6-5,
301) |
T-Bob
Hebert-Sr (6-3, 285) |
OG |
Josh
Dworaczyk-Sr (6-6,
290) |
Matt
Branch-Jr (6-7, 270) |
OT |
Alex
Hurst-Jr (6-6, 332) |
Greg
Shaw-Sr (6-5, 301) |
K |
Drew
Alleman-Jr (5-11,
182) |
.. |
|
|
|
2011
DEFENSE |
DEFENSIVE
LINE
On the outside at defensive
end the Tigers appear to be
stacked. On the inside at defensive
tackle are some empty spaces
created by the departures of
Lazarius Levingston and Drake
Nevis. However, don't expect
there to be much drop off if
any from this persistent front
line that has proven the test
of time under defensive mind
Les Miles and staff. The vast
experience on the outside consists
of four returnees who have earned
their share of starts - Kendrick
Adams (11), Lavar Edwards (8),
Chancey Aghayere (5) and Sam
Montgomery (5). While this may
be an experienced bunch, they
have yet to prove they can dominate.
The best of the group may be
Montgomery who was on his way
to a solid freshman campaign
last fall before injuring his
knee. He was held out contact
this spring after surgery. In
the process former JUCO transfer
Kendrick Adams continues to
run with the first team, a familiar
task that has earned Adams most
of his starts. Adams has not
generated much behind the line
of scrimmage and has yet to
show he can be a difference.
Lavar Edwards is an athletic
type lacking consistency. The
LSU faithful has been waiting
for his emergence. Throw in
Texas prep standout Aghayere
and few SEC teams can boast
this much depth. At tackle,
only Michael Brockers has started
a game as he played the third
man on the inside rotation a
year ago. Josh Downs has been
a dependable backup the last
two years but his durability
makes it questionable as to
whether he can withstand 12
games as a starter. U.S. Army
HS All-American Ego Ferguson
has made a push inside due to
the lack of experienced bodies
while true frosh Anthony Johnson
enrolled early to make sure
he got a crack at this rotation.
Ferguson, Johnson and Brockers
could end up being the top three
defensive tackles for the Tigers.
Meanwhile, highly touted prep
star Chris Davenport has been
moved to the offensive line.
LINEBACKER
Defensive coordinator John Chavis
understood that middle backer
Kelvin Sheppard would be a monster
loss and this spring only reaffirmed
how much he will be missed.
With Chavis often utilizing
nickel and dime packages as
a base defense, finding someone
to plug the middle and stuff
the run from sideline to sideline
like Sheppard was capable of
achieving makes this a critical
area of need. Young Kevin Minter
got first shot at filling this
role but the lackluster results
out of spring showed that LSU
still has a major void here.
Karnell Hatcher was the starting
free safety last year (third
on the team in tackles) and
has been moved to linebacker
for the first time in his life
in an effort to plug the gap.
Hatcher hopes to follow those
tracks of junior Stefoin Francois,
who switched from safety to
linebacker in the spring a year
ago and became LSU’s starting
strong side linebacker. Francois
gets removed from the lineup
when the Tigers go to their
nickel/dime package. Ryan Baker
is the top playmaker on this
front seven. He is the team's
returning leader at both creating
tackles and sacks. Recruiting
success has equaled quality
depth here too. The main issue
will be finding someone to man
the middle.
DEFENSIVE
BACK
Despite losing the nation's
best cornerback in Jim Thorpe
Award winner Patrick Peterson,
the SEC's top rated secondary
is in good hands. While opponents
were trying to look away from
throwing towards Peterson, Shreveport
native Morris Claiborne snagged
five interceptions and earned
preseason recognition on the
NationalChamps.net 2011 All-America
Team. He has shut down capability
and is quite worthy of taking
the torch from Peterson as the
leader in this proven backfield.
What makes this easier is the
talent surrounding Claiborne.
Fellow cornerback Tyrann Mathieu
might be the team's most diverse
performer. He’s coming
off a splendid freshman season
and he’s an absolute terror
at the nickel position. The
Tigers love to use him on blitzes.
He had 4.5 sacks last season
and he’s a hitting machine,
as evidenced by his SEC-leading
five forced fumbles. The only
question is whether Mathieu
will take Peterson's spot as
a starting cornerback or will
he remain as the nickel back?
The 6'3 Tharold Simon will make
a push for playing time as well
with a solid spring under his
belt. Former dual-threat Texas
prep QB Ron Brooks also has
a shot at starting time with
this cornerback group. Senior
Brandon Taylor returns at strong
safety after recovering from
a season-ending foot injury
against Alabama last year. His
experience will be a much-needed
boost while understanding that
his backfield is still relatively
full of young faces. Of the
top nine defensive backs a year
ago, five were true freshmen
and one was a redshirt freshman.
Craig Loston was the No. 1 safety
prospect in the country coming
out of Houston and is now beginning
to show why. He is the starter
at free safety while his back
up Eric Reid started a few games
last season as a true freshman.
Reid could have been an every
down player for most any school.
That is how much talent exists
back here.
|
|
LB
Ryan Baker
|
|
|
LOUISIANA
STATE 2011 DEPTH
CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Sam
Montgomery-So (6-4,
245) |
Kendrick
Adams-Sr (6-5, 255) |
DT |
Michael
Brockers-So (6-6,
300) |
Josh
Downs-Jr (6-1, 278) |
DT |
Ego
Ferguson-RFr (6-3,
286) |
Anthony
Johnson-Fr (6-4, 290) |
DE |
Lavar
Edwards-Jr (6-5, 265) |
Chancey
Aghayere-Jr (6-4,
268) |
OLB |
Stefoin
Francois-Sr (6-1,
215) |
Barkevious
Mingo-So (6-5, 237) |
MLB |
Kevin
Minter-So (6-1, 225) |
Lamin
Barrow-So (6-2, 221)
Karnell Hatcher-Sr
(6-2, 212) |
WLB |
Ryan
Baker-Jr (6-0, 227) |
Tahj
Jones-So (6-2, 205) |
CB |
Morris
Claiborne-Jr (6-0,
177) |
Tharold
Simon-So (6-3, 190) |
CB |
Tyrann
Mathieu-So (5-9, 180) |
Ron
Brooks-Sr (6-0, 179) |
SS |
Brandon
Taylor-Sr (6-0, 195) |
Eric
Reid-So (6-2, 207) |
FS |
Craig
Loston-So (6-2, 200) |
Derrick
Bryant-Sr (5-11, 199) |
P |
Brad
Wing-RFr (6-3, 175) |
Drew
Alleman-So (5-11,
183) |
|
|
|
|
2011
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Not
often does LSU need to replace a kicker.
In fact Les Miles’ six year
tenure has implemented two of the
SEC's top performers in Colt David
and the recently departed Josh Jasper.
Suffice to say, there exists a ton
of pressure on incumbent Drew Alleman
to take over. Special teams is important
for every team, but in Baton Rouge,
where points can be a dire need at
times, the kicking game has proved
to be the difference in many outcomes.
Alleman may not be another Jasper,
but he does appear to have a slightly
stronger leg, which is a bonus for
kickoffs. Alleman was three of four
on field goal attempts in the spring
game. All were relatively chip shots.
In the two previous years, Alleman's
total playing time consists of seven
kickoffs and two punts. Walk-on Brad
Wing will take over punting duties.
The 21-year old native of Australia
has played 15 years of Australian
Rules Football before traveling to
the States and possesses a strong
leg. Patrick Peterson will be missed
as a cornerback but his return game
is where his departed NFL talents
will be evident. Senior corner Ron
Brooks and receiver Rueben Randle
look like the top two candidates to
return kickoffs. Morris Claiborne
may also get a few chances while defensive
back Tyrann Mathieu is at the head
of the list to return punts. Special
teams will be the biggest turnover
on this depth chart. A new kicker,
punter, return man and special teams
coach need replaced. A strong case
could be made that the success of
the special teams was the primary
reason LSU won 11 games and finished
ranked in the top ten in the country
last season. This will be a sure area
of concern.
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