GeauxTo
08-25-2006, 03:18 PM
Defensive Line
LSU lost three outstanding defensive linemen from the 2005 team. Claude Wroten, Kyle Williams and Melvin Oliver are going to be hard to replace in terms of experience. In my opinion, LSU might actually have more talent on the defensive than last season, but the talent is very young. Chase Pittman (6'4", 270, SR) and Glen Dorsey (6'2", 300, JR) are the two most experienced returning defensive linemen and great things are expected from them. Ryan Willis (6'3", 270, SR) who played about 12 minutes per game in 2005 is also being counted on to play a lot. I believe that Pittman will start at right defensive end with Tremaine Johnson (6'2", 270, SO) as his backup. Tyson Jackson (6'5", 281, SO) will probably start at left defensive end backed-up by Ryan Willis. Dorsey will start at left defensive tackle and will be backed-up by Marlon Favorite (6'2", 300, SO). Charles Alexander (6'3", 290, SO) will likely start at right defensive tackle with Ricky Jean Francois (6'3", 270, RSFR) as his backup. I also expect Rahim Alem (6'3", 235, RSFR), Al Woods (6'5", 325, FR), Leo Deselle (6'0", 270, SR), Lyle Hitts (6'2", 281, RSFR) and Tim Washington (6'3", 265, SO) to see some playing time. Grade B+
Linebackers
Bo Pelini must replace Cameron Vaughn, Kenneth Hollis and E.J. Kuale from the 2005 team and I believe the three replacements will be an improvement. Darry Beckwith (6'1", 230, SO) and Ali Highsmith (6'1", 226, JR) will be the two outside linebackers with Luke Sanders (6'4", 229, JR) in the middle. Sanders, who has been injury-prone since arriving at LSU, is due to have a breakout season. Jacob Cutrera (6'4", 225, FR) and Jason Spadoni (6'0", 220, SR) will add depth at the linebacker position. Kelvin Sheppard, Perry Riley, Ace Foyil and Derrick Odom are also battling for playing time. Grade B
Defensive Backs
In my opinion, the defensive backfield is the strongest position on the team with three full-time starters returning in All-American LaRon Landry (6'2", 204, SR), Jessie Daniels (5'11", 203, SR), and Chevis Jackson (6'0", 190, JR), Jonathan Zenon (6'0", 180, JR) also started a few games last season. Landry and Daniels will be the starting FS and SS. Zenon and Jackson will be the two starting cornerbacks. Craig Steltz (6'2", 205, JR) and Curtis Taylor (6'3", 200, SO) will be the two backup safeties. Sammy Joseph (5'11", 185, SR) and Daniel Francis (5'11", 185, SR) will be the two backup cornerbacks. Look for Danny McCray, Jai Eugene, Troy Giddens and Chris Hawkins to receiving some playing time in the defensive backfield. Grade A+
via DandyDon
LSU lost three outstanding defensive linemen from the 2005 team. Claude Wroten, Kyle Williams and Melvin Oliver are going to be hard to replace in terms of experience. In my opinion, LSU might actually have more talent on the defensive than last season, but the talent is very young. Chase Pittman (6'4", 270, SR) and Glen Dorsey (6'2", 300, JR) are the two most experienced returning defensive linemen and great things are expected from them. Ryan Willis (6'3", 270, SR) who played about 12 minutes per game in 2005 is also being counted on to play a lot. I believe that Pittman will start at right defensive end with Tremaine Johnson (6'2", 270, SO) as his backup. Tyson Jackson (6'5", 281, SO) will probably start at left defensive end backed-up by Ryan Willis. Dorsey will start at left defensive tackle and will be backed-up by Marlon Favorite (6'2", 300, SO). Charles Alexander (6'3", 290, SO) will likely start at right defensive tackle with Ricky Jean Francois (6'3", 270, RSFR) as his backup. I also expect Rahim Alem (6'3", 235, RSFR), Al Woods (6'5", 325, FR), Leo Deselle (6'0", 270, SR), Lyle Hitts (6'2", 281, RSFR) and Tim Washington (6'3", 265, SO) to see some playing time. Grade B+
Linebackers
Bo Pelini must replace Cameron Vaughn, Kenneth Hollis and E.J. Kuale from the 2005 team and I believe the three replacements will be an improvement. Darry Beckwith (6'1", 230, SO) and Ali Highsmith (6'1", 226, JR) will be the two outside linebackers with Luke Sanders (6'4", 229, JR) in the middle. Sanders, who has been injury-prone since arriving at LSU, is due to have a breakout season. Jacob Cutrera (6'4", 225, FR) and Jason Spadoni (6'0", 220, SR) will add depth at the linebacker position. Kelvin Sheppard, Perry Riley, Ace Foyil and Derrick Odom are also battling for playing time. Grade B
Defensive Backs
In my opinion, the defensive backfield is the strongest position on the team with three full-time starters returning in All-American LaRon Landry (6'2", 204, SR), Jessie Daniels (5'11", 203, SR), and Chevis Jackson (6'0", 190, JR), Jonathan Zenon (6'0", 180, JR) also started a few games last season. Landry and Daniels will be the starting FS and SS. Zenon and Jackson will be the two starting cornerbacks. Craig Steltz (6'2", 205, JR) and Curtis Taylor (6'3", 200, SO) will be the two backup safeties. Sammy Joseph (5'11", 185, SR) and Daniel Francis (5'11", 185, SR) will be the two backup cornerbacks. Look for Danny McCray, Jai Eugene, Troy Giddens and Chris Hawkins to receiving some playing time in the defensive backfield. Grade A+
via DandyDon