LOUISIANA STATE TIGERS
2014 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 6
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Zach Mettenberger-QB, Connor Neighbors-FB, J.C. Copeland-FB, Alfred Blue-TB (NFL), Odell Beckham-WR (NFL), Jeremy Hill-TB (NFL), Jarvis Landry-WR (NFL), Trai Turner-OG (NFL)
DEFENSE: Lamin Barrow-WLB, Craig Loston-S, Ego Ferguson-DT (NFL), Anthony Johnson-DT (NFL)
OT La'el Collins
Offensive Line / Secondary

These offensive linemen are more than equipped to battle with the big boys of the SEC. Outside of guard Trai Turner, who bolted for the NFL, everyone across the board is set to return. Tackle La'el Collins leads a unit that will be expected to carry the offensive load until the new skill position athletes gain some more experience. One of the nation's better pass defenses has some quality talent and depth to work with as safety Craig Loston is the only player needing replaced. Jalen Mills is primed to become one of the SEC's better cornerbacks.

Quarterback / Passing Game / NFL Draft

Zach Mettenberger offered a few rays of hope this past season in that this coaching staff may have finally turned the corner in regards to the passing game struggles, but then in a blink of a year he's gone. The leading incumbent is young Anthony Jennings who has proved to be more than capable after Mettenberger went down with a late season injury. If Jennings holds on to the job, will he be good enough to earn the coaches trust to the point where throwing the ball is still a source of victories on game day? The last two seasons has seen a record 18 players leave early for the NFL Draft. What would have likely been a Top 10 preseason ranking to start 2014 due to the number of starters returning gives way to another consecutive start outside that preseason frame. The receivers, running backs and defensive tackles went from being loaded to being a big question mark.

CB Jalen Mills
 
LOUISIANA STATE 2014 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Anthony Jennings-So (6-2, 211) Brandon Harris-Fr (6-2, 183)
FB Connor Neighbors-Sr (5-11, 239) Melvin Jones-So (6-3, 245)
TB Terrence Magee-Sr (5-9, 214) Kenny Hilliard-Sr (6-0, 233)
WR Travin Dural-So (6-2, 182) John Diarse-RFr (6-1, 207)
WR Quantavius Leslie-Sr (6-4, 175) Avery Peterson-RFr (6-2, 189) / Malachi Dupre-Fr (6-3, 188)
TE Dillon Gordon-Jr (6-5, 286) Logan Stokes-Sr (6-5, 251) / Travis Dickson-Sr (6-3, 230)
OT La'el Collins-Sr (6-5, 315) Jonah Austin-Jr (6-6, 324)
OG Vadal Alexander-Jr (6-6, 342) K.J. Malone-RFr (6-3, 290)
C Elliott Porter-Sr (6-4, 300) Ethan Pocic-So (6-7, 301)
OG Fehoko Fanaika-Sr (6-6, 348) Evan Washington-Sr (6-6, 334)
OT Jerald Hawkins-So (6-6, 301) Josh Boutte-So (6-4, 333)
K Colby Delahoussaye-So (5-10, 169) ..
 
LOUISIANA STATE 2014 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Jermauria Rasco-Sr (6-3, 262) Tashawn Bower-So (6-5, 243)
DT Christian LaCouture-So (6-5, 298) Maquedius Bain-RFr (6-4, 308)
DT Quentin Thomas-Jr (6-3, 290) Greg Gilmore-RFr (6-4, 311)
DE Danielle Hunter-Jr (6-6, 241) Lewis Neal-So (6-1, 238)
SLB Lamar Louis-Jr (6-0, 216) Duke Riley-So (6-1, 208)
MLB D.J. Welter-Sr (6-1, 235) Kendell Beckwith-So (6-3, 246)
WLB Kwon Alexander-Jr (6-2, 218) Deion Jones-Jr (6-2, 208)
CB Rashard Robinson-So (6-1, 165) Ed Paris-Fr (6-0, 189)
CB Tre'Davious White-So (5-11, 177) Jalen Collins-Jr (6-2, 195)
SS Rickey Jefferson-So (5-11, 199) Corey Thompson-Jr (6-2, 212)
FS Ronald Martin-Sr (6-2, 212) Dwayne Thomas-So (6-0, 181) / Jalen Mills-Jr (6-1, 189) (susp.)
P Jamie Keehn-Jr (6-4, 218) ..

 

 

LOUISIANA STATE 2014 SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 - vs. Wisconsin @Houston, TX
Sep. 6 - Sam Houston State
Sep. 13 - Louisiana-Monroe
Sep. 20 - Mississippi State
Sep. 27 - New Mexico State
Oct. 4 - at Auburn
Oct. 11 - at Florida
Oct. 18 - Kentucky
Oct. 25 - Ole Miss
Nov. 8 - Alabama
Nov. 15 - at Arkansas
Nov. 27 - at Texas A&M