If Penn State is Linebacker U. and USC is Halfback U., then senior defensive tackle Charles Alexander knows exactly what LSU’s moniker across the country should be.”This is officially now Defensive Line University,” Alexander said. “We have a stockpile of guys who can play good football here, and it’s becoming a tradition.”Since 2002, the Tigers have signed 21 defensive linemen rated either four- or five-star prospects by Rivals.com.Among those signees are NFL players Glenn Dorsey, Kyle Williams and Claude Wroten, as well as current highly touted NFL prospects like seniors Tyson Jackson and Ricky Jean-Francois.And the results show the Tigers have more than just star power up front. They also have a cohesive unit.Since 2003, LSU has finished in the top 15 in rushing defense every season. The Tigers are ranked No. 10 in the country, allowing 69 rushing yards per game.Auburn defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks said he has studied guys like Dorsey and Jean-Francois during his career.Marks said aspiring defensive linemen can become better players just by watching the intensity LSU plays with upfront.”They always are physical in the trenches and always have plenty of good linemen,” Marks said. “You learn a lot about your position watching the film of their games.”Tiger players say LSU’s depth up front is what allows them to have defensive success throughout the season.Jackson said having depth is the best luxury a team could have to combat the early season heat and humidity and then the late season Southeastern Conference schedule.”It sounds like a little thing, but one guy can miss an assignment because he is tired, and that can mess everything up for everyone,” Jackson said. “But we have so many guys who mix and match that it allows us to stay fresh and always have our best personnel units on the field.”Seven different players have started a game on the Tigers’ front four this season — with four others seeing time in reserve roles.North Texas coach Todd Dodge said following LSU’s 41-3 win against the Mean Green that LSU’s defensive line is as good as he has ever seen.”This is just a very talented bunch,” he said. “Their defensive front is unbelievable. Those guys they roll in there are very, very impressive.”But it’s uncertain if LSU’s depth will hurt its ability to recruit linemen in the future.Sophomore offensive tackle Joseph Barksdale signed with LSU in 2007 as Rivals’ sixth-best defensive tackle prospect.But depth at that position forced Barksdale to move to his current position because he would be able to see the field sooner.Other guys like junior Al Woods, who was Rivals’ No. 2 defensive tackle and a five-star prospect in 2006, haven’t been as lucky.Woods has seen frequent playing time in his career but has yet to crack the regular starting lineup because of Dorsey, Jean-Francois and Alexander holding the starting positions.Senior defensive end Tremaine Johnson and junior Rahim Alem have also yet to break into the regular starting lineup so far in their careers at LSU, despite seeing many snaps throughout the season.The Tigers have kept the talent flowing and have three defensive line commitments for the 2009 class, including five-star defensive tackle Chris Davenport.Fellow five-star defensive tackle JaMarkus McFarland also has LSU in his final three schools he’s considering.Recruiting analyst Sonny Shipp said LSU’s tradition to send defensive linemen to the NFL will likely continue to send blue chip prospects to Baton Rouge.”Putting guys into the NFL trumps any concerns these kids will have about depth,” he said. “It used to be that you’d look at Florida State or Miami and even their backups would be drafted. You’re going to start seeing that now with LSU.”Shipp said the allure of being surrounded by talent also keeps the cycle of talent flowing into LSU.”Take a guy like JaMarkus McFarland,” he said. “He knows if he goes to LSU and starts for two years with Chris Davenport that he will have another All-American-caliber tackle playing alongside him. That will prevent him from being able to be double-and triple-teamed like he sees in high school.”Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]