On the first day of full pads for the LSU football team, sophomore linebacker Kendell Beckwith, a former defensive end, lined up against junior tight end Dillon Gordon in the Tigers’ notorious “big cat” drill.
About four seconds later, Gordon, who has a 40-pound advantage, found himself on the ground, with Beckwith staring down.
Linebackers have been a strength for recent LSU defenses. Three are currently on NFL rosters, and another, last year’s leading tackler Lamin Barrow, is preparing for his opportunity to play on Sundays. But this year has an air of uncertainty, with the linebackers rotating to new positions.
“We’re really taking the time to multi-train these linebackers so we can put the best three on the field,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “We think that this spring will allow them to be put on either side.”
Despite the success of recent LSU defenses, last year was a down year for the program. The unit gave up 340.7 yards per game, which still ranked in the top 15, but it was the highest average since 2001. The defense also allowed 22 points per game, the most since 2008.
“If we’re just a top 20, top 15 defense, that’s a down year for LSU,” said junior linebacker Lamar Louis. “That’s basically saying that we have to be No. 1 or No. 2 every year. We have to get back to the top, and that’s the main thing we’re looking at. Getting back to the top and playing LSU football.”
The linebacker changes in spring practice have given LSU multiple options to get back to the upper tier of collegiate defenses. Louis has been playing mostly strong side this spring, a position he last played during his freshman season.
Last year’s strong side linebacker, junior Kwon Alexander, is also seeing a position shift. Last season, Alexander racked up 65 tackles — fourth on the team. So far in spring practice, Alexander is mainly playing the weak side, a switch he found comfortable.
“Weak side is pretty easy,” Alexander said. “The [strong side] is more stuff you have to learn, but weak is stuff you can easily pick up on.”
Despite the abundant talent pool for the linebackers, one concern has been the lack of size in the group, especially among the first stringers. Senior middle linebacker D.J. Welter stands at 6-feet-1 while Alexander and Louis are 6-feet-2 and 6-feet, respectively. But Louis doesn’t see it as a problem.
“[People] might say we’re small, but we can do it all,” Louis said. “With the linebackers we have at LSU, we all can run. But the thing about us is we can hit, too.”
For Louis, talent and ability aren’t what the linebackers lack, but rather a mindset, or a “swagger,” that he’s seen in previous groups.
“We aren’t missing the talent. We’re not missing the knowledge. We’re just missing the swagger,” Louis said. “Other teams before us, championship teams, they just had a swagger. They had an aura about them that they would go out and do what they said they were going to do.”
Louis doesn’t see a lack of leadership, either, even though the unit lost its cornerstone in Barrow. Welter is expected to pick up the mantel, being selected by his teammates to the Unity Council.
“Each position group has one or two guys in [the council], and for me to be one in my room is a big deal to me because I’ve been here for four years,” Welter said. “It’s more responsibility for me, and I’m ready for it. I’ve been here for a while, so I’m looking forward to all the tasks of leading my room and the team.”
But being voted a team leader doesn’t guarantee a spot, Welter said. With all the ample talent at LSU, there’s always someone waiting to snatch a position, which adds even more depth to the lineup.
“Every spring I’ve been here, it’s always been a competition,” Welter said. “You have to bring you’re A-game. Coaches are going to put the best three out there regardless.”
“We aren’t missing the talent, we’re not missing the knowledge, we’re just missing the swagger.”