Whenever LSU fans hear about the football team’s Unity Council, it’s usually in reference to a teammate who’s in trouble, but the small group of players acts as the vocal leaders of the team.
LSU coach Les Miles opened spring practice on Saturday with a vote that would decide the 2014 Unity Council, selecting one to two players from each position group as representatives.
Senior linebacker D.J. Welter is one of 15 Tigers voted onto the 2014 installment of the council by his teammates.
“Since I’ve been here, seeing those guys talk to the team, they’re the leaders,” Welter said. “For me to be one in my room is a big deal to me because I’ve been here for four years ,and it feels good to be voted in by my teammates. It’s more responsibility for me, and I’m ready for it.”
Welter joins players like junior quarterback Brad Kragthorpe, sophomore wide receiver Travin Dural, senior running back Kenny Hilliard and senior defensive end Jordan Allen on the council.
The group hit the spotlight following several disciplinary issues over the past few seasons, most notably when former LSU lineman Josh Dworaczyk addressed the media after the Shady’s bar brawl involving former quarterback Jordan Jefferson, and when former running back Jeremy Hill was arrested after a Tigerland bar fight.
Different numbers, same players
If there appears to be something different about LSU junior offensive tackle Vadal Alexander’s jersey this season, it’s because he changed numbers from No. 78 to No. 74 this spring.
Alexander finally got his hands on his old high school number following former No. 74 Josh Williford’s graduation last semester.
“I love this number,” said an excited Alexander. “Ever since my freshman year, I’ve been trying to get it.”
Alexander said he claimed the No. 74 jersey during his freshman season, asking Williford for it once he left. Alexander said he reminded Williford about it toward the end of last season and was happy once he was able to make the switch.
LSU junior linebacker Kwon Alexander also made a change from the No. 25 jersey to the No. 4 jersey, but said the motives for his swap were largely preference-based and had no real sentimental value.
Defense winning early practices
Monday was only the second official practice of the spring for the Tigers, but LSU junior linebacker Lamar Louis said the defensive unit is taking an early lead against the offense.
“I’m not being biased, but if you had to say which side of the ball has been winning, it’s the defense,” Louis said. “Coach Miles said today that the defense had a lot of good takeaways from the offense, and if anybody won, it was the defensive package.”
Louis said the defense is clicking like never before, even after only two practices.
The Tigers’ defense is coming off a less-than-stellar year and is in need of replacing several unit veterans, particularly at linebacker where LSU lost Lamin Barrow.
Louis started spring practice in a green jersey Saturday, after having what he described as a small procedure on his wrist stemming from an injury last season.