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At the beginning of the season, Leonard Fournette was considered arguably the best player in college football.
But with three games missed so far because of injury, can one still think of him as LSU’s best player up to this point?
Let’s look at our top 10 LSU players so far this season.
10. LT K.J. Malone: There’s a lot to be said for stability, and on LSU’s beaten and battered offensive line, Malone has been the picture of stability as the only Tiger offensive lineman to start all seven games at the same position. The Tigers lead the SEC in yards per rush (6.7) and have allowed the third-fewest sacks in the SEC, meaning that the offensive line has held its own despite injuries.
9. CB Donte Jackson: The speedy cornerback leads the team in passes defended (8), including 2 interceptions, tied with Tre’Davious White for the team-high. With White and Kevin Toliver coming into the season with solid reputations, opponents have gone after Jackson, who plays in five-defensive back sets, and Jackson has answered the bell consistently. Had he not had two long kickoff returns called back by penalty, he might be a little higher on this list.
8. DE Davon Godchaux: Godchaux and fellow defensive lineman Lewis Neal have been rock solid for a team that’s second in the SEC in rush defense (2.9 yards per carry, 104.1 yards per game). Godchaux has a little more production than Neal, so he gets the edge with his 34 tackles, 4 sacks and team-leading 2 fumble recoveries.
7. CB-NB Tre’Davious White: White has scored touchdowns on a pick-six (against Wisconsin) and a punt return (against Jacksonville State). He’s tied for the team lead with 2 interceptions and has been solid on punt returns. White’s versatility, playing outside as a starting corner, then inside against slot receivers as a nickel back, make him an invaluable member of the defense.
6. S Jamal Adams: A potential top 10 draft choice, Adams can count a number of crushing hits among his 50 tackles. He also has forced a fumble and recovered it at a critical moment against Southern Mississippi. Nothing he’s done has hurt his lofty draft stock.
5. LB Kendell Beckwith: LSU had some inexperience issues at linebacker, so having Beckwith back for his senior year has been a godsend. And he’s delivered an SEC West-best 69 tackles, and the question marks LSU had at linebacker coming into the season have become a non-issue. Linebacker play has been very good.
4. C Ethan Pocic: Pocic, like Malone, has not missed a start on the Tigers’ offensive line, but he did start one game at right tackle because of injuries. The athletic and tall center is generally considered one of the best, if not the best center in college football, and nothing about his performances so far dispute that reputation.
3. RB Derrius Guice: LSU may be the only team in the country that can absorb the loss of a player like Leonard Fournette and barely have it impact the offensive output. Guice’s 7.96 yards per carry are fourth in the SEC among qualified running backs, and his 621 rushing yards are eighth in the league despite four of the games coming as Fournette’s backup. Certainly Damien Harris of Alabama, Kamryn Pettway of Auburn and a few others belong in the conversation, but it can be reasonably argued that LSU has the two best running backs in the SEC.
2. RB Leonard Fournette: The only reason Fournette isn’t No. 1 is he’s missed three games because of injury and, really, we’ve yet to see him at 100 percent. Still, in four games, he’s already rushed for 670 yards, and his 167.5 yards per game would be the best in the SEC by 51 yards if he had enough games to qualify. And his school-record 284-yard rushing performance against Ole Miss last week may be the best performance by an SEC player this year.
1. LB-DE Arden Key: The SEC’s sack leader has turned opponent passing games into a series of short, quick throws designed to make sure they avoid the inevitable arrival of Key in the quarterback’s face. Key has 8 sacks and that many quarterback hurries to go with 9 tackles for loss. He’s tied for the SEC lead in forced fumbles (3) and also has 2 deflected passes. He’s had countless plays where he’s drawn holding calls from offensive linemen he had beaten, and his influence can be felt in everything from offensive play calls to panicky quarterback throws.
A few that just missed the cut: Next to Beckwith, Duke Riley (59 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 interception) has gone from special teams ace to a reliable every-down player. Quarterback Danny Etling (89-for-147, 1,129 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs) has steadied the position since taking over for Brandon Harris in the season’s second game. Cornerback Kevin Toliver completes LSU’s trio of outstanding cover men along with White and Jackson.
