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All eyes in Tiger Town are on the battle at quarterback, and for good reason.
Led by an all-star group in the secondary and a Heisman Trophy contender at running back, LSU also has a veteran linebacker corps, a pair of sturdy interior defensive linemen, potential game breakers at wide receiver, and the building blocks of a stout offensive line.
In sum, the Tigers return the pieces needed to contend for an SEC West crown — assuming they aren’t crippled again by substandard quarterback play.
The other key position battle is taking place at cornerback, where a handful of worthy candidates are battling for their place in what is expected to be one of the conference’s best units.
Here’s a glance at our projection for the post-fall camp two-deep:
OFFENSE
QB1: Brandon Harris
QB2: Anthony Jennings
Everything seems pointed in this direction — and has for some time. Harris’ extra time working with receivers over the summer appears to have paid off. While incumbent starter Jennings was suspended following a June arrest, Harris was the de facto starter and by all accounts hasn’t relinquished the role since. Though both quarterbacks should be improved over last year, Harris has the higher ceiling and should make the biggest leap.
RB1: Leonard Fournette
RB2: Darrel Williams
FB1: John David Moore
FB2: David Ducre
The starter at running back is a no-brainer, but don’t be surprised if true freshman Derrius Guice makes some noise this season as well.
X WR1: Malachi Dupre
X WR2: Trey Quinn
Z WR1: Travin Dural
Z WR2: John Diarse
TE1: DeSean Smith
TE2: Dillon Gordon
The Tigers need more consistency out of this group — improved quarterback play should help with that — but the talent is there. Dural and Dupre are big-play threats have the length to pose match-up nightmares.
LT1: Jerald Hawkins
LT2: Jevonte Domond
LG1: Ethan Pocic
LG2: K.J. Malone
C1: Will Clapp
C2: Andy Dodd
RG1: Josh Boutte
RG2: Garrett Brumfield
RT1: Vadal Alexander
RT2: K.J. Malone
The Tigers have done some reshuffling up front since last season, but return three very solid starters in Hawkins, Alexander and Pocic. All three possess valuable versatility, which could come in handy should LSU need to juggle the lineup to find its best five.
DEFENSE
DE1: Lewis Neal
DE2: Deondre Clark
DT1: Davon Godchaux
DT2: Quentin Thomas
DT1: Christian LaCouture
DT2: Greg Gilmore
DE1: Tashawn Bower
DE2: Arden Key
The returning starters at tackle are the foundation of the front four, and LSU is looking for impact players at end after struggling to generate a consistent pass rush a season ago. No defensive end on the roster has started a game at the college level, but the group is far from being devoid of potential. True freshmen Arden Key and Isaiah Washington have made noise in camp and could see the field early this year at defensive end.
SAM1: Lamar Louis
SAM2: Duke Riley
MLB1: Kendell Beckwith
MLB2: Ronnie Feist
WILL: Deion Jones
WILL2: Donnie Alexander
Assuming they thrive with more responsibility, the linebackers stand to benefit from a statistical boost under new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. Beckwith is the standout of the group and is poised for a big year after emerging midway through 2014. Louis and Jones are both seniors with ample experience, but the second unit is less proven.
CB1: Tre’Davious White
CB2: Dwayne Thomas
CB1: Ed Paris
CB2: Kevin Toliver
SS1: Jamal Adams
SS2: Corey Thompson
FS1: Rickey Jefferson
FS2: John Battle
The secondary again appears to be the strength of the LSU defense, led by returning starters White and Adams. We’re guessing at the free safety spot, as Jalen Mills fractured his leg and will be out several weeks. The battle for the open spot at cornerback opposite White could continue into September, and the candidates there are bountiful. Ed Paris has been expected to win the job, but Thomas isn’t giving up the spot quietly. Toliver and fellow freshman Donte Jackson are also in the mix and should see time.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Colby Delahoussaye
P: Jamie Keehn
KR: Tyron Johnson
PR: Tre’Davious White
Brent Holloway is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State.
