Though the Tigers secondary unit is widely considered to be among the most talented in the nation, the young group can often be privy to lapses in fundamentals.
“Our eyes can get us in a lot of trouble, that happened last year, unfortunately,” sophomore cornerback Tre’Davious White said.
Defensive backs coach Corey Raymond has turned to a peculiar method to keep his defenders eyes in the right place.
“This year Coach Raymond is emphasizing [our eyes] and he’s going as far as to even putting blinders on our helmets to help us keep our eyes in the right place,” White said.
White said the defensive backs used the blinders in live practice, spring practice and until the end of summer camp.
The secondary held Wisconsin to 50 passing yards in the season opener, and followed the that performance with another dominating display against Sam Houston State.
Dodd doesn’t regret choosing Tigers
When LSU sophomore center Ethan Pocic went down with an injury in the game against Sam Houston State, redshirt freshman Andy Dodd was thrust into the lineup.
After choosing to play for the Tigers over rival Crimson Tide, Dodd, a former four-star recruit, sat out his first year in Baton Rouge with a shoulder injury.
“When I first visited here [LSU], I wanted to commit but my parents told me to wait,” Dodd said. “Tuscaloosa is close to home so it was very appealing but I knew there is where I wanted to be. I don’t regret it.”
With Pocic returning from injury and senior center Elliott Porter slated to start after returning from suspension, Dodd is unfazed about his play time.
“I still have three more years,” Dodd said. “I’m in no hurry.”
Diarse will face familiar foe Saturday
When the University of Louisiana-Monroe comes into town to play LSU Saturday, it will be a bittersweet moment for redshirt freshman John Diarse.
“I lived right behind ULM my whole life,” Diarse said. “I can’t even count how many times I’ve been [to Malone Stadium] growing up, that was the thing to do on Saturdays; go to the game and watch ULM play.”
Diarse enters the game after scoring a key touchdown against Wisconsin in the season opener and adding two catches for 29 yards against Sam
Houston State.
Diarse has teamed with sophomore Travin Dural to help soften the departure of Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham.