LOUISIANA STATE TIGERS
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 6
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 5
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Jordan Jefferson-QB, Jarrett Lee-QB, James Stampley-FB, Mitch Joseph-TE, Deangelo Peterson-TE, Will Blackwell-OG, T-Bob Hebert-OL, Rueben Randle-WR (NFL)
DEFENSE: Kendrick Adams-DE, Stefoin Francois-SLB, Ryan Baker-WLB, Ron Brooks-CB, Brandon Taylor-SS, Michael Brockers-DT (NFL), Morris Claiborne-CB (NFL)
RB Spencer Ware
Secondary / DL / RB / Special Teams

This is a complete NFL talent based secondary with a Heisman finalist. The men up front take a back seat to nobody. How does LSU continue to find upwards of four to five ball carriers every season? Play defense, run the ball, great special teams...a formula based for winning SEC and National Titles.

Quarterback / Linebacker

Quarterback has never carried the load in Baton Rouge. In steps highly rated Georgia transfer Zach Mettenberger. This will be one of the most watched off-season progressions. The only unit that was depleted of more than half of its starters is at linebacker.

CB Tyrann Mathieu
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
LOUISIANA STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Zach Mettenberger-Jr ..
FB J.C. Copeland-Jr Kenny Hilliard-So
TB Spencer Ware-Jr Michael Ford-Jr / Alfred Blue-Jr
WR James Wright-Jr Jarvis Landry-So
WR Odell Beckham-So Kadron Boone-Jr / Russell Shepard-Sr
TE Chase Clement-Sr ..
OT Chris Faulk-Jr ..
OG .. ..
C P.J. Lonergan-Sr ..
OG Josh Williford-Jr ..
OT Alex Hurst-Sr ..
K Drew Alleman-Sr ..
 
LOUISIANA STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Barkevious Mingo-Jr Lavar Edwards-Sr
DT Josh Downs-Sr ..
DT Bennie Logan-Jr Anthony Johnson-So / Ego Ferguson-So
DE Sam Montgomery-Jr Jermauria Rasco-So
SLB Tahj Jones-Jr ..
MLB Kevin Minter-Jr ..
WLB Lamin Barrow-Jr Luke Muncie-Jr
CB .. ..
CB Tyrann Mathieu-Jr Tharold Simon-Jr
SS Craig Loston-Jr ..
FS Eric Reid-Jr ..
P Brad Wing-So ..
QUICK TAKES

    12/21/11

  • This could shape up to be the best defense college football has seen in over two decades.
  • When was the last time one team had two AP First Team All-America cornerbacks? Claiborne won the Jim Thorpe Award and Mathieu was a Heisman finalist. If both return for another season it opens the door for Les Miles to throw the kitchen sink at opposing offenses.
  • No team in 2012 will return this many All-American and All-Conference selections.
  • Run the ball, play defense and great special teams...LSU is set up to win another national championship.
  • Given the golden punter and kicker situation in Baton Rouge, throw in Mathieu and Claiborne as return men and every punting / kicking situation becomes an immediate television ratings sensation.
  • Former Georgia Bulldog signee and JUCO All-American Zach Mettenberger is no drop off at quarterback trying to spell Jefferson and Lee.

 

LOUISIANA STATE 2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 North Texas
Sept. 8 Washington
Sept. 15 Idaho
Sept. 22 at Auburn
Sept. 29 Towson University
Oct. 6 at Florida
Oct. 13 South Carolina
Oct. 20 at Texas A&M
Nov. 3 Alabama
Nov. 10 Mississippi State
Nov. 17 Ole Miss
Nov. 23 or 24 at Arkansas