LSU Tigers 2015 Football Preview: The “DBU” Edition
By Scotty Nola
LSU Fans still haven’t seen an official depth chart from Head Coach Les Miles yet. At least he is starting to get honest about what we all know–Brandon Harris is in the lead for the starting QB position.
More from LSU Tigers
- LSU Football: We’ve been saying it all along, LSU deserves to be No. 1
- LSU Football: Betting guide for the SEC Championship vs. Georgia
- LSU Football: It’s outrageous if LSU isn’t ranked first after beating Georgia
- LSU Football: Who gets in the playoff if LSU beats Georgia?
- LSU Football: A loss to Georgia shouldn’t stop College Football Playoff bid
Things are a little less settled in the secondary. For one thing, LSU is the Real DBU, which means there are a lot of options. Jalen Mills injury has also shaken things up.
Jalen Mills was expected to lead this unit on the field. Until he returns someone will have to fill those very big shoes as a leader, someone will need to hold down the starting free safety spot, and there will be some shuffling in the nickel and dime packages as well.
Even with a little uncertainty, we have a pretty good picture of who we expect to see on the field this fall in the Tigers secondary….
The Returning Starters
Oct 18, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jalen Mills (28) breaks up a pass intended for Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver T.V. Williams (82) in the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Kentucky 41-3. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
The returning quality is truly impressive for the Tigers, who bring back both Jalen Mills and Tre’Davious White from last years starting lineup.
Jalen Mills will miss some time. We aren’t sure how much exactly. He wants to return for the Auburn game, the coaches aren’t really pinning themselves down on a date yet.
That makes sense, injuries involving a break in the lower leg are difficult to assess because you are really talking about 2 injuries: the broken bone and whatever tendon or ligament damage may or may not have happened with it. You often don’t know the full extent of the injury until the bone knits and the athlete is trying to cut and move on it again.
Live Feed
Ole Hotty Toddy
Still, expect to see Jalen Mills back on the field and making the kind of impact you would expect from a 3 year starter with a bright NFL future. SEC coaches are expecting him to come back and contribute, they named him to their preseason All SEC First Team Defense.
The best advice I can give you about Tre’Davious White is enjoy seeing him play on Saturdays while you can. He is a big time player who will be eligible for the NFL draft soon and will be rated as a first round prospect as soon as he commits to playing at the next level.
Tre’Davious White is also on the Preseason All SEC Team 2nd unit. Anyone who has watched him play is aware that he is fully capable of bettering that to First team status once the games are played.
The First Time Starters
Apr 5, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) is hit by safety Rickey Jefferson (29) during the 2014 spring game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
It may surprise some to hear this but Jamal Adams is a first time starter at safety. He played so much last year and made so many impact plays that this feels like his second starting campaign. In reality he was last years primary nickel back and his plays came mostly in sub packages.
Rickey Jefferson also played in sub packages and has a lot of game experience. He will hold down the other Safety position opposite Jamal Adams until Jalen Mills returns.
The other Corner slot opposite Tre’Davious White is a little tougher to gauge. Ed Paris has the inside track, but he could be pushed by Dwayne Thomas, Russel Gage, or one of the incoming freshmen.
The other corner slot isn’t the only one these players can fill. On Nickel last year Jamal Adams moved in at Safety and Jalen Mills covered the slot receiver. Rickey Jefferson also played a lot as the third Safety in sub packages.
With Jalen Mills is rehabbing his injury and Jefferson and Adams the starting safeties someone has to cover slot receivers on nickel packages and play either 4th CB or 3rd Safety on Dime. Dwayne Thomas Russel Gage and John Battle are all likely prospects, or one of the incoming Freshmen.
The Freshmen Who WILL Play
Jul 9, 2014; Beaverton, OR, USA; Land Sharks cornerback Donte Jackson (4) returns an interception as Vapor Carbon wide receiver Christian Kirk (2) gives chase during Nike Football
The Tigers have always recruited exceptionally well at all the secondary positions. They don’t call LSU The Real DBU for nothing. This year is no different, the incoming group looks to be another special class led by uber talented frosh Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver II.
Toliver enrolled early and immediately started getting attention as a player who would command playing time early and often. When Donte Jackson showed up on campus this summer he had some catching up to do to get even with Toliver. Catching up should not be a problem for a guy who ran a hand timed 4.24 40 during summer testing.
The pair are already considered legit NFL prospects and they haven’t even been on the field for the Tigers. They will correct that early, expect to see them playing in Tiger stadium often this fall.
They could push for a role in the nickel or dime package, they could even pick up a starter spot before all is said and done. Still “The Real” DBU, in other words, the kids CAN play……