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LSU All-Decade Team: Dominant defenses have been a Tigers hallmark
By Les East
Published:
Editor’s note: Saturday Down South has selected an all-decade offensive and defensive team for all 14 SEC programs. Our series stays in the SEC West with LSU. Coming Friday: Mississippi State.
LSU began the decade by building a reputation as having one of the best defenses in the country.
They’re ending it with a somewhat shakier defense, but one that has been good enough for the Tigers to be on schedule to reach the CFP for the first time.
Along the way LSU went to a bowl game every season, won the 2011 SEC championship and played in the BCS title game that season.
Les Miles hung his hat on the defense and it served him well during the 2nd-most successful coaching tenure in Tigers history.
The defensive play has mostly remained at a high level under Ed Oreron, who replaced Miles after a 2-2 start in 2016.
LSU has a 100-28 overall record and a 5-4 record in the post-season during this decade. The Tigers have had 36 defensive players taken in the NFL Draft this decade, with more on the way.
Here’s a look as LSU’s all-decade team on defense for 2010-2019:
DL: Sam Montgomery
He was a prolific pass rusher for 2 seasons, providing a big-play ability to one of the most talented defensive lines in school history.
Backup: Barkevious Mingo
He was a late bloomer but emerged as an unusually fast pass rusher. He provided an effective complement to Montgomery and wound up as a 1st-round pick in 2013.
DL: Michael Brockers
He was perhaps the most under-appreciated player in the elite defensive line in 2011. His responsibilities weren’t conducive to a lot of stats, but he was one of the most effective defensive linemen in the country. NFL teams certainly noticed. Brockers was a 1st-round pick in 2012.
Backup: Davon Godchaux
He wasn’t as decorated as some of his contemporaries, but he was among the Tigers’ leading tacklers in 3 consecutive seasons.
DL: Arden Key
He set the LSU record for sacks in a season with 12 before injuries slowed him down later in his college career.
Backup: Rashard Lawrence
He has been limited by injuries, but when he has played he has been productive and a leader.
LB: Devin White
He was one of the most productive tacklers in school history and the only Tiger to win the Butkus Award. He was quite simply one of the best defensive players in LSU history. He was the No. 5 overall pick in 2019, matching Patrick Peterson for the highest pick among defenders this decade.
Backup: Kendell Beckwith
He was the No. 2 tackler on the team for 3 consecutive seasons.
LB: Kevin Minter
He bided his time behind older, more productive players. Then he broke out with a 130-tackle season and parlayed that into a 2nd-round draft pick in 2013.
Backup: Kwon Alexander
He was slowed by injury early in his career, then had 2 very productive seasons, leading the team in tackles in his last season.
LB: Lamin Barrow
He had one of the best 2-year runs of any linebacker in a long time, finishing 2nd then 1st in tackles.
Backup: Kelvin Sheppard
He set the tone for outstanding linebacker play throughout the decade by leading LSU in tackles in 2010.
CB: Morris Claiborne
He didn’t have a catchy nickname or as many individual awards as other Tigers defensive backs. But he was one of the very best defensive players LSU had during this decade and the No. 6 pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Backup: Donte Jackson
He was a speedster whose presence discouraged opponents from throwing to his side of the field.
CB: Patrick Peterson
More so than perhaps anyone else, he’s responsible for LSU feeling it deserves to call itself DBU. Peterson was one of the best defensive players in Tigers history and the No. 5 pick of the 2011 draft.
Backup: Greedy Williams
When opponents saw this freshman lined up on the opposite side from Jackson, they decided to throw his way instead. He made them pay with 6 interceptions.
CB: Tyrann Mathieu
He became known as the Honey Badger because his rare ability to take the ball away and make dynamic plays. Mathieu was one of the most dynamic players ever to play any position at LSU.
Backup: Jalen Mills
He dealt with injury early in his career, but was a very good defender at cornerback and safety.
S: Jamal Adams
His exceptional play demonstrated that DBU turned out top-flight, tough safeties and not just flashy cornerbacks. He also was a No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft (2017).
Backup: Eric Reid
He was a smart, tough leader on the back end of some of the Tigers’ top defenses of the decade.
S: Grant Delpit
He was a unanimous All-American and one of the best players in college football in 2018. He has been slowed by injury this season, but he’s still a candidate for top-level post-season honors. He could become the latest Tiger defender taken in the 1st round.
Backup: Brandon Taylor
There were several bigger names lined up around him, but he was the glue to the Tigers secondary during his tenure.
P: Brad Wing
The Australian Rules Football product was a rare weapon for the Tigers special teams for 2 seasons.
Backup: Jamie Keehn
Keehn succeeded his fellow Aussie was very good for 4 seasons.
Les East is a New Orleans-based football writer who covers LSU for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @Les_East.
