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Defensive Back University has a long, storied history in the secondary. Who are the best LSU defensive backs of all time? We narrowed it down to the top five.
5. Corey Webster (2001-04) — After starting his career as a wide receiver, Webster moved to the other side of the line of scrimmage and became one of the most dominant corners in LSU history. He was a three-time All-SEC first teamer, a two-time All-American and was twice a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. As a sophomore and junior, he posted back-to-back seasons with seven interceptions, the second-highest single-season total in school history, and left school second in career picks. Webster went on to win two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.
Career stats: 115 tackles, 50 pass breakups, 16 INT
4. Tyrann Mathieu (2010-11) — Transcendent. Magical. Freakish. There are endless adjectives to describe the Honey Badger’s game. In just two years with the Tigers, Mathieu proved he could do just about anything on the football field. He took home a host of awards: the Bednarik, SEC Championship MVP, All-American and All-SEC honors. He was a Heisman finalist in 2011. He seemed to always have his hands on the ball, forcing 11 fumbles in his two seasons to go along with four interceptions. He was a terrifying punt returner. Despite sitting out 2012 after being dismissed from the team, Mathieu was still a third round NFL draft pick. Mathieu’s legacy is complicated thanks to his off-field issues, but there’s no doubting he’s one of the best football players the Tigers have ever had.
Career stats: 136 tackles, 19 pass breakups, 11 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 4 INT, 4 non-offensive TD
3. Jerry Stovall (1960-62) — One of the most prolific playmakers in LSU history, Stovall did it all for the Tigers. He played three positions (defensive back, running back and punter) and was one of the most feared players in all of college football. He finished second in Heisman voting in 1962 and won the Walter Camp POY Award as an All-American and All-SEC player. He was elected to the LSU Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Stovall came back to coach at LSU in the early 1980s.
Career stats: N/A
2. Patrick Peterson (2008-10) — Peterson took over a starting role in Baton Rouge as a sophomore, and opponents quickly learned not to throw his way. He dominated every wide receiver he locked horns with, including Julio Jones and A.J. Green, and was a two-time All-SEC player and a unanimous All-American in 2010 while winning the Bednarik and Thorpe Awards. Peterson was also one of the most feared special teams players in the country during his college days, leading the nation in punt return average as a junior while housing two returns. He was the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft and currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals alongside Mathieu.
Career stats: 135 tackles, 7 INTs
1. Tommy Casanova (1969-71) — Casanova is widely considered one of the best LSU players ever, regardless of position, and many regard him as the greatest defensive player in school history. The only three-time All-American in school history, he played in all three phases of the game and was one of the most respected players in the country. Injuries halted his Heisman campaign in 1971, but didn’t stop him from earning his third consecutive All-American and All-SEC nods.
Career stats: N/A
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
