LSU football in 2020: Who are the possible beginners in defense and special teams? Here are our projections | LSU

Continuing our projection of the two depths of the LSU Tigers for the 2020 season, we move on to defense.

Again, the key word is "project" here, since LSU has a total of eight starters back (4 offensive, 4 defensive) from its 15-0 national championship season, and lots of places can be mixed, d & # 39 ; especially since the Tigers will change to a 4-3 defensive scheme under the new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini.

If you would like to return to our planned two-depth offensive, click here.

Below is a table of the offense and a breakdown by post follows.

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Defensive line:The defensive line has returned to four for the first time since former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele led a 4-3 pattern during the 2015 season. The time for a transition away from 3-4 is no. ; perhaps could not have been better, as LSU seems to have had its deepest talent on the defensive line for several years.Glen Loganis a two-year-old starter with a defensive end, and it's likelyNeil Farrellwill play in front of him. Farrell played all 15 games in the second rotation during the LSU National Championship season, and despite everything, his seven loss tackles and three sacks have been the best of any LSU defensive lineman. . LSU CoachEd Orgeronwhen comparedTyler Shelvinto former SEC defensive player of the yearGlenn Dorsey, and last year's nose tackle will have a chance to live up to that comparison, as it will be a defensive tackle for Pelini, who coached Dorsey in 2007. Shelvin has had a season of Escape in 2019, and since he andSiaki "Apu" Ikaat the time of the nose attack, it is likely that Ika has the advantage over the other defensive attack position. There will be a lot of defensive tackle competition. Expect four starsJacobian GuilloryandJaquelin Royto push play time right away, although they will both arrive on campus in June.Joseph Evanswill be a freshman in red shirt since he only played four games, but he impressed Orgeron enough to win a game against Vanderbilt. The depth at the defensive end can be one of the most interesting conversations of the spring, as the position should attack more than it did in Figure 3-4. Does that mean former outside linebackers likeAndre AnthonyandRay thornton move to the defensive end? It may be a better size adjustment for Anthony (6 feet 4 inches, 250 pounds), unless Thornton (6 feet 3 inches 227 pounds) has picked up. extent during the off-season.Justin Thomas, who withdrew from the LSU for "personal reasons" in October, has returned and may be pushing for defensive play time.

linebackers:The Tigers have lost all of their usual starting linebackers in the NFL draft, so it may be a blessing that Pelini will only have to find three to line up in a standard lineup.Damone clarkhas been elevated to Orgeron’s roster in the past two seasons, and he was the team’s sixth tackle (50) last season as a linebackerJacob Phillips andPatrickQueen. The way is clear for Clark to take command of the position "Mike" in the middle of the defense, formerly occupied by former linebackers as Kendell beckwith. In recent years, Micah baskervillecould have been the second linebacker. His experience will probably enhance him as an outside linebacker, instead of supporting Clark at Mike's. Linebacker could be a great choice for the old five starMarcel Brooks, a versatile defender who mostly played in the former defensive coordinatorDave Arandapass rush packages in 2019. Orgeron once said that Brooks could be used as a multi-role security asGrant Delpit, but withJaCoby Stevensback for his senior season and Todd Harrisback from the injury, Pelini will likely find a way to put Brooks on the field. At Marcus High, Brooks was often attached to the box as an outside linebacker in the school's 3-4 program, so it is possible that he would fit in here. Otherwise, LSU has a lot of young people with four-star linebackersAntoine Sampah andPhillip Webb, but they will probably need time to develop

Defensive backs:The return of JaCoby Stevens for his senior season was perhaps the biggest news for the team this offseason. With the bulk of the talent and leadership of the NFL starting championship team, the Tigers still have their second tackler, who also recorded five sacks and three interceptions in 2019. Todd Harris is back after suffering an end-of-season ACL tear last year against the northwest of the state. With the return of nickel security Kary Vincent, these three players will likely constitute the safety training for the team. sophomore Mo hampton, Senior Eric Monroeand maybe evenMarcel Brookscould cycle in rotation, although Orgeron recently said Hampton could race from cornerback.Derek Stingley, an All-American in his true first year season, has his corner corner locked. There will be tight competition between second year studentsCordale Flott, five incoming starsElias Ricksand maybe Hampton for the other place. Ricks will miss at least half of spring football after undergoing shoulder surgery, but it's likely that Flott already had the upper hand. "Cordale Flott, for me, is one of the best corners we're going to have here", Orgeron declared 104.5 ESPN "Off the Bench" in February.

Below is a table of task forces, and a breakdown by position follows.

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Special teams:The LSU task forces will have some unknown faces, but it will retain its main contributors.Cade Yorkreturns for his second season at placekicker. The high school's former All-American made the first seven field placement attempts in his college career, but then began to lose momentum and never really recovered during the rest of the season. He missed a 46-yard attempt in the Peach Bowl semi-final against Oklahoma, then missed a 45-yard against Clemson in the National College Football Playoff game. York is basically LSU's only kicker option because backing up Connor culp entered the NCAA transfer portal in January, and kick-off specialistAvery atkinsis still working to broaden her skills. Atkins will continue to order a touchback percentage of 83.97 which ranked third nationally in 2019, and will punishZach Von Rosenbergwill come back for his senior season.Quentin Skinnerreplace Blake Fergusonlong snapper, becoming the third long snapper from Buford High to play LSU. It may be the yearDerek Stingleytakes over all return functions of the special teams. Orgeron once compared the phenomenon toReggie bush, and Stingley had some electric games as a kicker in 2019. It's also possible thatTrey Palmer, who had a 54-yard touchdown return touchdown against Northwestern State, finds time in the return game.