After a bumpy 2013 season, the LSU secondary is fighting to develop an identity this spring.
From the stands, that identity might not look too different from last year with the same basic scheme in place, but sophomore cornerback Rashard Robinson said the difference isn’t on the field.
“The dudes we’ve got on the defense this year, everybody is hungry, and we’re just ready to play,” Robinson said.
Robinson and fellow corner Tre’Davious White separated themselves as the early frontrunners for the starting cornerback jobs this spring, after a strong finish to their freshman seasons. Junior cornerback Jalen Collins has also been rotating in with the starters during practice at Robinson’s spot.
White and Robinson registered three interceptions and 71 tackles last season between them. White finished 2013 ninth on the team with 55 tackles after taking over for Collins in the third game of the season. Robinson participated in all but one game last season, but didn’t receive his first start until Texas A&M following a slew of injuries to the secondary. Robinson came through against the Aggies, shutting down All-American wide receiver Mike Evans for 51 yards on four catches.
Collins finished the season with just 22 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
“Both of our corners right now are shut down guys,” said LSU sophomore quarterback Anthony Jennings. “Robinson and White — those guys are going to lock down whoever is in the area.”
Adding to the competition at cornerback, LSU early enrollee Ed Paris Jr. has been receiving rave reviews from LSU coach Les Miles and the rest of the secondary.
“I’d have to say the reviews of [Paris] have been good,” Miles said. “It’ll be interesting, these next three practices and spring game, we can kind of see where some of these guys are at. I think there’s reason to believe that secondary is going to be good.”
Paris entered the spring as ESPN’s fourth ranked safety for the 2014 recruiting class but was moved to cornerback possibly in anticipation of No. 2 safety Jamal Adams joining the team in the spring.
Paris is not allowed to speak to the media because of a team policy that freshman are not made accessible for interviews, but Robinson said he’s been impressed with how much improvement he’s seen in Paris just over the past few months.
“First [Paris] was timid, but now he’s starting to come down and starting to get more aggression with him and he’s starting to pick up the game,” Robinson said.
White said Paris has pushed him to improve his game, describing Paris as a more hard-nosed player compared to White’s and Robinson’s focus on coverage and providing an “island” in the secondary.
As with most positions this spring, Miles said he isn’t making any final decisions until the incoming freshman make it to campus this fall.
But it wasn’t the corners giving Jennings and the other quarterbacks the most trouble during Saturday’s team scrimmage.
Miles said safeties Ronald Martin and Rickey Jefferson recorded three interceptions during the practice — two for Martin and one for Jefferson.
The competition at safety seems to be slightly more open than its cornerback counterparts, with Martin getting most of the recognition to return to the strong safety slot. But Martin is coming off a difficult season that included the death of his father and finished with a fracture in his foot.
Miles spoke highly of Jefferson over the past few weeks, but junior Jalen Mills is still the favorite to stay at the free safety position.
Mills struggled early on at cornerback last season, showing signs of frustration in games like Georgia when offenses took him deep for a touchdown. That and several injuries forced Mills to the free safety position for the Outback Bowl.
“We feel like our safety position is going to be manned well,” Miles said on Saturday. “I think they’re playing better. I think there may have been some coverage mistakes in this go. We’ll have to see who that was, but I think our safeties are improved.”