5 Ways The LSU Tigers Are A Changed Team

Deion Jones Is The Best LB We Didn’t Know We Had

Sep 12, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA;LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) tackles Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Gus Walley during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium. LSU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

This time last year Deion Jones was a career special teamer who had made some big time plays on the kick coverage unit but was buried on the depth chart behind starting LB Kwon Alexander. Not exactly a household name in other words.

Seeing Deion Jones has been a revelation for Tigers fans. As good as Kwon Alexander was for the team you can’t help but feel he had to play his best just to keep his spot in the starting lineup.

Jones is the complete package at linebacker. He has the speed to play sideline to sideline against the run. He has legit pass rush skills when called to blitz.

On top of that he is one of the best coverage linebackers in the country. He has the ability to flip his hips to orient to the play and explode out of breaks like a defensive back.

Jones can anticipate well enough to keep his back to the offensive player while still covering their route and to break on the ball in air. He also has the speed and ability to tackle in space to keep passes that are caught from turning into big gains.

Few players in the country have improved their draft stock as much as Jones this year. He has both NFL Scouts and long time Tiger fans smiling going into the heart of the schedule.

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