The second day of LSU football practice gave a closer look into how the first team defense will start out the season with several team and individual based drills that highlighted certain players.
Defensive Line
Junior Jermauria Rasco was still limited to non-contact drills as he still donned the green practice jersey. Rasco showed good burst in individual drills, but looked a little slow with his lateral movement.
Freshman Christian LaCouture flashed a high level of athleticism and could be poised break the defensive line rotation. LaCouture has been with the Tigers since the spring and it has definitely paid off in terms of his conditioning.
Junior Jordan Allen practiced with the first-team today and showed he could contriubute for the Tigers with a very strong showing in individual drills. Allen has struggled with injury, but looked to be moving freely in the drills and showed signs of being more than ready for the start of the season.
Linebackers
Senior Lamin Barrow looks like a tank as an outside linebacker. Barrow, who was chosen to wear the number 18 for the Tigers symbolizing his leadership role on the team, barked out instructions to the first team defense during team drills.
Sophomore Lamar Louis lined up with the first team as a middle linebacker with sophomore Kwon Alexander and Barrow flanking him.
Freshman Melvin Jones got a taste of the trademark John Chavis fire during team drills when he failed to sprint out the end of the play. Chavis brought the entire team back, called out Jones, and made the team run the drill again.
Defensive backs
Freshman Jeryl Brazil was praised during individual workouts for the his work ethic by defensive backs coach Corey Raymond. Brazil looked to have smooth hips on the turn while working out with the second team.
Sophomore Jalen Mills again wore a green practice jersey, but was the standout in the individual drills. Mills sprinted throughout and showed the work ethic that has brought him from two star recruit to starting as a true freshman. Mills encouraged freshman Rickey Jefferson throughout the individual drills, keeping the frosh working hard throughout.
Junior Ronald Martin looked smooth in his backpedal and was able to whip around quickly into a sprint during drills. Martin will be replacing the departed Eric Reid, but looks like a guy who could be a breakout star for the Tigers.
Offense notes
The quarterbacks were working on the read option, but freshman Anthony Jennings — the only dual-threat quarterback on the roster — wasn’t particpating in practice.
Senior running back Alfred Blue looked explosive during drills, but the recently reinstated Jeremy Hill showed his time away from the team didn’t take anything away from his explosion.
Freshman Travin Dural had the look of a guy who could be a breakout star for the Tiger offense. Dural has a lean body with the look of a sprinter. The only problem with Dural seems to be his running motion with the ball in his hand. Coaches got on Durel about dropping the ball to low while running instead of keeping it high and tight.