With all three starters returning, LSU’s 2007 linebacker corps is no weak spot in a defense hyped for its experience and talent.
Senior outside linebacker Ali Highsmith leads the group in experience with two previous starting seasons. In the 2006 season, Highsmith recorded 63 tackles and was named a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection. “My expectation is just to have everybody coming out and being on the same page and not worrying about making mistakes,” Highsmith said. “All of us, we’ve been through a year [together]. It’s just about going in and touching up little [mistakes].” Senior outside linebacker Luke Sanders and junior middle linebacker Darry Beckwith complete the linebacker unit as both begin their second season as starters.
“They’ve learned our defense so well,” said Bradley Dale Peveto, LSU linebackers coach. “The game has slowed down for them. Our mental errors in practice are near none now. When they go out there, they’re so focused.”
Beckwith finished 2006 as the Tigers’ second-leading tackler with 65 stops and is expected to have a stand-out junior year.
“[Beckwith] is a guy that is very explosive for 240 pounds,” Peveto said after Friday’s practice. “He’s a fantastic leader. He’s very instinctive.
“He’s a guy that can run and hit you and tackle well, and he knows his defense inside and out.”
Beckwith said in comparison to the past preseason, he’s improved in understanding defensive concepts.
“It’s about understanding what the person next to you is doing … understanding what the secondary is doing, and knowing what the concept is and keeping it rolling along,” he said. “Everything is going to keep building, building and building.”
Beckwith said he wants to be part of the No. 1 defense in the nation and puts his team role above individual accolades.
Sanders, known for his 6 feet 5 inch, 242-pound frame and individual strength, said he’s not intimidated by expectations to be the top defense in the land. He recorded 35 tackles during the 2006 season.
“Me, Ali, and Darry – we’ve been playing together for a good three years now,” he said. “We have a lot of good communication with each other.
“[The coaches] are setting the standards high, but that’s what we expect, and that’s what we like. We want to step up to those expectations.”
Junior fullback Shawn Jordan, who lined up against the linebackers during fall camps, said he expects dominating game performances because of the trio’s excellent speed.
“They’re great open field tacklers,” Jordan said. “They’re going to clean up what the defensive line doesn’t clean up.”
Beckwith said he is especially impressed with the depth of supporting talent shown in the backup linebackers.
“They’re coming along and they have to step up fast,” he said. “They’re really getting the mental preparation down. I’ve seen a great transition in the young guys from last year to this year.”
Freshman Kelvin Sheppard will back up Highsmith at the outside linebacker spot. Sophomore Jacob Cutrera is behind Beckwith at the middle linebacker position, while sophomore Perry Riley will back up Sanders at the outside linebacker position.
Cutrera and Riley both sustained injuries during a fall scrimmage. Riley returned to practice Aug. 17, and Cutrera returned Friday.
Peveto said Cutrera did not lose much ground during his absence because of his extensive mental preparation.
—-Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]