Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in an eight-part series previewing each position heading into 2012.
After losing dominant defensive tackle Michael Brockers, LSU’s defensive line matured, developed and bonded during the offseason. Brockers, the No. 14 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, can’t be replaced, but Anthony Johnson, Ego Ferguson and Bennie Logan are ready to fill the gap. “We’re real deep,” said senior defensive end Lavar Edwards. “So if we lose a guy like Brockers to the NFL, the guy that is behind him is going to step in, and it’s not going to be a big letdown.” Sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Johnson went into the 2011 season as a five-star recruiting prospect and one of the top defensive tackle recruits in the country. Johnson played in all 14 games last season, but did not start a game. “Anthony is probably in the best condition he has been in,” said defensive coordinator John Chavis. “He is playing harder right now than he has ever played. Anthony has the opportunity to be an outstanding player.” Johnson credits his improvement to his changed mindset after being ranked as the No. 2 defensive tackle prospect in the country in high school and not doing all he felt he had the potential to do during his first year at LSU. Johnson said last year he lost sight of what he wanted to do, but that has changed this season. “Becoming a freshman All-American was great, but it doesn’t get my name up on that wall,” Johnson said. “Nobody remembers that forever – they remember the All-Americans and that motivates me to play better.” Sophomore defensive tackle Ego Ferguson said he took this past offseason more seriously than the last. “I developed my mind, body and spirit to get ready for this situation,” Ferguson said. “Everyone here talks about being a ‘student of the game,’ and I actually took that serious this offseason by watching film of not only myself but the players that came before me.” The most anticipated players on the defensive line are the defensive end duo of Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo. During the 2011 season, Mingo had eight sacks, 46 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hurries. Montgomery had nine sacks, 49 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss. Mingo and Montgomery’s relationship, which began at a recruiting visit to Michigan, turned into a brotherhood. Their relationship off the field helps them stay competitive on the field. Montgomery and Mingo are constantly pushing each other to be the first to get to the quarterback or the first to make a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. Montgomery said he and Mingo use games to compete on the field and video games to compete off the field to humble each other and stay away from any hype. “We do those things to keep ourselves ready to go,” Montgomery said. “To keep us striving for greatness and keep our hunger going. … All we know is that we’re just two guys that love football who come from two small towns trying to make our dreams come true.”
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