Everyone knows the trenches are built for battle.
But when two LSU defensive ends, junior Jordan Allen and sophomore Danielle Hunter, line up in the three-point stance at the team’s practice facility, there’s a different war being waged.
With three-fourths of the starting defensive line most likely set, the final defensive end position remains open for anyone vying to take over the spot, and Allen and Hunter are more than willing to seize the opportunity.
LSU coach Les Miles has spent the final weeks of fall camp raving about both players, and every day has turned into a dogfight to see who will man the starting spot come August 31.
“In practice, we have the focus of, ‘I want to do this better than him,’” Allen said. “It’s human nature. We just want to be better than the other person.”
Compared to previous seasons, the rotating door at defensive end will be one of the primary question marks throughout the season.
Previously manned by the likes of former Tigers draftees Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, the pass rush experienced a major drop off in the offseason.
Now, the spot has been left open for one of two players who each had little experience during the 2012-13 campaign.
The 6-foot-6-inch, 254-pound Allen suffered a season-ending knee injury last year while Hunter saw limited action in every contest, finishing with 12 tackles. Hunter — 6 feet 6 inches, 241 pounds — primarily saw time with the special teams unit on kick coverage.
Allen said there’s one goal for the duo this season: keep the intensity coming from the edge no matter who is in the game.
“As long as you don’t have a drop-off whenever you do swap … then it really doesn’t matter who’s the first string or who’s the second string,” he said. “It’s kind of like having your first string in the whole time.”
The duo still has time to fight for the position before travelling to the season-opener in Dallas, and it’s not yet clear how Miles intends to utilize the two defenders.
Regardless of how the competition between the two ends goes, Hunter said there’s no animosity between them.
“We help each other all the time,” Hunter said. “It’s the same kind of relationship Sam [Montgomery] and Mingo had. We coordinate great. We’re just like brothers with that D-line pride. We’re always together.”
Both Hunter and Allen have clearly stated that they want the starting gig, but that hasn’t stopped either from giving constructive criticism or advice as practice rages on.
The duo has big shoes to fill on the edge, and they said being successful directly depends on their ability to keep each other focused and fundamentally sound.
“Our relationship … is just as solid as everybody else,” Allen said. “As a defensive line, we’re a family, and you’re always going to help whoever it is. Just because you’re fighting [with someone] for a spot, it doesn’t mean you’re going to sit there and not help that person get better.”