Last year, the LSU defensive line sported the most depth and talent of any group on the field.
This year, it’s the linebackers’ turn.
Despite losing leading tackler Kevin Minter to the NFL draft in May, several returning linebackers will lead the Tigers’ defense this year, including senior Lamin Barrow, who was chosen to inherit the symbolic No. 18 jersey, and junior defensive tackle Anthony “Freak” Johnson.
After starting the 2012-13 season as a relative unknown with no playing time, Barrow quickly dismissed doubts about his ability. He finished last season second on the team in tackles while leading the linebacker corps in pass breakups, highlighting his skills in pass coverage.
Junior linebacker D.J. Welter comes into the season unheralded, much like Barrow did a year ago. But Welter came out of the spring with the starting position in the middle, replacing Minter. Welter is still the expected starter going into the first game against TCU.
“Seeing D.J. finally get his shot is really cool,” Barrow said. “He put his work in and now he’s getting his time on the field. Last year, it was kind of the same for me, so it’s definitely good to see.”
Welter, Barrow and fellow senior linebacker Tahj Jones are the expected starters, and they believe the experience they have playing together in defensive coordinator John Chavis’ system for so long gives them a leg up on the field.
“We’ve played together for so long … we know the plays so well, it’s second nature at this point,” Welter said. “We can communicate without even talking.”
Barrow agreed with the sentiment.
“Eye contact is really all we need to know what [one another] is thinking, it is definitely an advantage for us,” Barrow said.
With an unusually inexperienced defensive line, the linebackers have stepped to the forefront to quell any growing pains.
“Any time one of us doesn’t fill a gap, there is always a linebacker there to cover for us,” said junior defensive tackle Ego Ferguson. “Our linebackers are the fastest group I’ve ever played with.”
Coach Les Miles agreed with Ferguson following the third scrimmage of fall practice, saying the linebackers are “fast, hard hitting and might be the most athletic group at that position since we’ve been here.”
Backing up the veteran group is a talented batch of young linebackers who saw playing time in key situations last season.
Sophomore linebacker Kwon Alexander played in only seven games last season, but before breaking his ankle against Florida in October, he had cemented himself as a starting outside linebacker.
“Losing my season like that, man, it was tough,” Alexander said. “But I feel like this season I’m coming back stronger, I’ve adjusted to the speed of the game and I think I’ve ascended from the level I played at [last season].”
Sophomores Lamar Louis and Deion Jones both saw playing time last season. Louis will compete for playing time at the mic with Welter and will be included in the linebacker rotation.
Rounding out the linebackers will be true freshmen Kendell Beckwith and Duke Riley. Both impressed the coaching staff during fall practice and bring a unique skill to the defense.
With the veteran group supplemented by the young talent Miles has brought in, any growing pains from having an inexperienced defensive line should be minimized.
“I don’t think the linebackers like the added responsibility,” Chavis laughed. “But yes, it helps having the veterans backing the line. It gives us a lot of flexibility with schemes we will be able to run.”