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LSU was best known for its defensive standouts for much of the past decade.
This year’s team is known for its offensive standouts.
Along the way there were a lot of really good players on the Tigers teams of the past decade.
Some were 1-year wonders, some were more than that, but still had short careers because they left early for the NFL. Some played until they ran out of eligibility and had a cumulative impact without ever being a star.
Players who make an impact do so in different ways over different periods of times.
Here are the 25 best LSU players from the past decade:
25. S Eric Reid
Smart, tough leader on some of the Tigers’ top defenses.
24. G Trai Turner
Only played 2 seasons, but started 20 games and played so well he was drafted in the 3rd round.
23. DL Arden Key
Had 1 great season in which he set the school record for sacks (12) before being injured.
22. CB Donte Jackson
Track star was a very good cover corner for multiple seasons.
21. CB/RS Tre’Davious White
Solid cornerback who also had 3 punt returns for touchdowns.
20. DL Sam Montgomery
Provided a strong pass rusher for 2 seasons on really good defenses.
19. LB Kwon Alexander
Overcame injuries early in his career to have two really good seasons.
18. WR/RS Odell Beckham Jr.
Wasn’t as productive as he became at the start of his NFL career, but he was still good for 3 seasons. Had 1,152 receiving yards as a junior but only caught 12 TDs in his career.
17. LB Kendell Beckwith
No. 2 tackler on the team for 3 consecutive seasons.
16. T La’El Collins
Played multiple positions over 4 seasons and was named the SEC’s top lineman as a senior.
15. DL Michael Brockers
Perhaps the most under-appreciated player on the elite defensive line in 2011. NFL teams knew. That’s why he was a 1st-round pick in 2012.
14. G Ethan Pocic
Played guard, center and tackle over 4 years and was named All-SEC his last 2 seasons.
13. WR Jarvis Landry
His career coincided with Beckham’s and he was more physical and produced more touchdowns (15) than Beckham.
12. LB Kevin Minter
He bided his time then broke out with a 130-tackle season in 2012. He left early was drafted in the 2nd round.
11. WR Ja’Marr Chase
Was a bit of a disappointment as a freshman last season, but his sophomore season has been a doozy. He has tied the SEC single-season for TD catches (18) and with 1,559 yards, he is in range of Josh Reed’s single-season record (1,740).
10. CB/RS Tyrann Mathieu
It didn’t end as planned, but Mathieu was 1 of the most dynamic players ever to play any position at LSU.
9. WR Justin Jefferson
Was already one of the best receivers in the SEC before the passing game’s breakout season this year. He also has 18 TD receptions, tying the SEC single-season record.
8. CB Morris Claiborne
One of the very best defensive players LSU had during this decade. He was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
7. S Jamal Adams
His exceptional play demonstrated that DBU turned out top-flight, tough safeties and not just flashy cornerbacks. Adams was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
6. CB/RS Patrick Peterson
He only played 1 season in the 2010s. But he was one of the best defensive players in Tigers history. He raised the standard and was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
5. RB Derrius Guice
He played well when he was thrust into the lineup because of injuries, then had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons as the focal point of the offense. Broke Leonard Fournette’s LSU’s single-game rushing record with 285 yards vs. Texas A&M.
4. S Grant Delpit
He was a unanimous All-American and one of the best players in college football as a sophomore in 2018. Is still one of the best defenders in the country despite being slowed by injury this season.
3. LB Devin White
The only LSU player to win the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker. That was the climax to a career in which he was one of the most productive tacklers in school history. He was the 5th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
2. RB Leonard Fournette
He didn’t always live up to the hype of being one of the most sought-after recruits in LSU history, but he was outstanding for 3 seasons despite injuries. He set the program record for rushing yards in a season (1,953). He was the 4th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
1. QB Joe Burrow
He changed everything by having the most productive passing season in SEC history and becoming the Tigers’ second Heisman Trophy winner in historic fashion. He is 2nd QB in FBS history to throw 55 TDs and 5,000+ yards in the same season. With the championship game against Clemson to go, Burrow could become the 1st to throw 60 TD passes in a season.
Les East is a New Orleans-based football writer who covers LSU for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @Les_East.
