Last season, LSU sophomore defensive back Jamal Adams stepped up after a knee injury left the team without junior defensive back Dwayne Thomas for the remainder of the year.
Now, Thomas must return the favor.
Senior safety Jalen Mills suffered a lower leg injury during fall practice and is on the shelf for an uncertain amount of time. As a result, the rest of the Tiger secondary is doing what it takes to be ready when the team opens up against McNeese State University on Sept. 5.
“A lot of guys are stepping up. They’ve been busting their tails off,” Thomas said. “They’re just pushing each other, even in one-on-ones, individuals, and all of us are just trying to get better.”
Thomas was one of three LSU players suspended after being arrested in June. Charges were eventually dropped and two of the three, including junior quarterback Anthony Jennings, were reinstated and given in-house discipline.
Thomas, a New Orleans native, said he is working hard to win back the favor of his teammates after the incident.
“I knew I would bounce back from [the arrest] because that’s the type of guy I am,” Thomas said. “I came out and competed and worked hard to show them no matter what happened I can step up and play a big role on this team to help these guys and that’s what I want to do.”
Freshman running back Derrius Guice impressing in fall camp
Star sophomore running back Leonard Fournette highlights the running back corps entering 2015, but freshman Derrius Guice is making his presence felt.
Guice will look to make an impact this fall when Fournette is not in the game, and junior cornerback Tre’Davious White expects Guice to succeed when his number is called.
“[Guice] is amazing,” White said. “If you see the plays he makes in practice and the moves he has, he’s going to make a lot of noise this year.”
In addition to his relief role for Fournette, the Baton Rouge native will attempt to make his presence felt as a return man for the Tigers. LSU averaged nearly 27 yards per kickoff return and nearly 11 yards per punt return.
Players not feeling pressure headed into 2015
Some have said this year is pivotal for coach Les Miles and his squad, but the players don’t feel pressured.
Although last season did not go how the team imagined, sophomore wide reciever John Diarse said it was a good opportunity to improve.
“Sometimes, the year may not turn out how you may want it to,” Diarse said. “But that’s time for growth, time for maturity and time for guys to really understand what their role is on the team so they can help better the team itself.”
Senior linebacker Lamar Louis credits the top recruiting classes for giving LSU its depth, leading to high expectations.
“We are ready to go out there and play for a national championship,” Louis said.” We want to be in Atlanta for the SEC championship. That’s our goal. That’s our mindframe.”