LSU Tigers 2015 Football Preview: The Linebackers

September 5th and a night time date with McNeese St. in the opener is rapidly approaching. Les Miles hasn’t released an official depth chart yet but we have seen enough of the Tigers to have a fairly good idea of who will show up on the 2 deep chart for opening day.

We are doing a position by position 2015 Football Preview for the Tigers and today we are tackling the Linebacker position.

The Returning Starters

The Tigers return only one starter from last years linebacking corps but he’s a good one. Kendell Beckwith started the season last year on the bench but bulled his way into the starting lineup against Florida in game 7 and never looked back.

Sep 27, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) returns an interception for a touchdown against the New Mexico State Aggies during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Beckwith helped solidify last years very young defensive unit with his steady play. The defense had frustrating moments but finished 1st in the SEC in total defense and 2nd in scoring defense.

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Beckwith has a tremendous speed-power combo and great field awareness. He is able to make all the right calls at the line and produce after the snap. He is getting a lot of notice from the media as he prepares for his first full season as a starter.

He has been named to the official All SEC Preseason Team as a second teamer, ESPN.com recently named him the first string MLB in their preview. He has also been named to the watchlist for the prestigious Butkus Award that is given to the top collegiate linebacker in the nation each year.

Senior Lamar Louis is joining Beckwith as a returning starter on a unit looking to maintain it’s position as the top defense in the SEC under new coordinator Kevin Steele. Louis is a versatile player who has seen time at every position on the defense as a backup before settling into the starting role at the Sam, or Strong Side LB position last year.

Lamar Louis, a Breaux Bridge native, is typical of the kind of linebackers John Chavis recruited: he’s very fast for the position, and a sure tackler.

Lamar Louis and Kendell Beckwith combine to strip the ball from Alabama RB TJ Yeldon and walk it into the end zone for a defensive TD

The New Starter
We don’t have an official depth chart so all the starters are projections. Kendell Beckwith is a sure thing, and Lamar Louis probably is too, based on their starting experience. Replacing Kwon Alexander is a little bit different.

Kwon Alexander’s primary backup last season was former Jesuit HS player Deion Jones. Jones did start one game last year in place of Alexander against UL Monroe.

Deion Jones has only the one start to his credit but he is a 3 time Letter winner who has played regularly since his freshman season.

Adding depth to the mix are several returning veterans. Donnie Alexander, Ronnie Feist and Duke Riley are all talented athletes who will see the field often this year as backups and special teamers.

Freshmen Who WILL Play
This is a pretty easy one to project: no Freshmen will play a single down at Linebacker for the Tigers this year. It’s easy to project because LSU did not recruit a single Linebacker last season, so there aren’t any Freshmen available to play. Unless….

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This could change if the long rumored switch from the 4-3 to a 3-4 base defense happens. We have heard rumors about a switch to the 3-4 since Les Miles announced the hiring of new Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele.

The team still has some recruiting to do to to make a switch to 3-4 work. There is a real shortage of linebackers on campus right now.

The defensive line still needs some tuning up to fill the specialized line positions in a 3-4 defense. Christian LaCouture has the size to man the Nose Tackle position but depth for 3 and 5 technique players isn’t very high, especially the 5 technique where Maquedious Bain was expected to play.

We may see some 3-4 looks in situations but right now the Tigers are still a 4-3 team. If they go into a 3-4 we will see freshman LB’s on the field. The Weakside LB in the 3-4 is primarily a pass rushing specialist, and that role will almost certainly be filled by Arden Key and Isaiah Washington, with Deion Jones moving inside next to Kendell Beckwith.

Outside of that possibility we won’t see freshman linebackers on the field for LSU until next year, when we should see quite a few of them. The coaches have been heavily recruiting every top LB who is still available and already have multiple commitments at the position. More freshmen fighting for reps and playing time, and more depth.

But —–that’s all part of the 2016 Linebacker preview…….

Next: LSU Tigers 2015 Football Depth Chart Preview: The D-Line