It would take some teams years to rebuild after losing three starting defensive linemen, but D-line University plans to keep up the tradition in 2009. LSU’s football team must replace Kirston Pittman, Ricky Jean-Francois, Tyson Jackson and Marlon Favorite, who started a combined 36 games last season. But the less experienced defensive linemen are ready for their chance.New defensive coordinator John Chavis and new defensive line coach Brick Haley have brought a different style to the Tigers’ defense in spring practice.”They are turning us loose, and I love it,” said Al Woods, rising senior defensive tackle.Woods said the new schemes allow the linemen to use their technique and athleticism.”I like their intensity,” said rising junior defensive tackle Drake Nevis. “They want us to be perfect.”Even though LSU lost four regulars, the Tigers return defensive tackle Charles Alexander, who started eight games last season. The NCAA granted Alexander a sixth year of eligibility.”He brings experience,” said Rene Nadeau, college football analyst for ESPN and TigerVision. “He’s been in [Southeastern Conference] championships; he’s been in BCS Championships. You can’t replace that.”Alexander  said he feels healthy after struggling with an ACL injury last season.”I am 100 percent full-go,” Alexander said. “Now I just have to get better each day.”Nevis and Woods are set to share the defensive tackle roles with Alexander.”It’s pretty fun playing on the side of [the older guys] knowing that when I was in high school, I used to watch them play,” Nevis said.Woods is still trying to meet expectations from 2006 when he was a five-star recruit out of Elton High School.”I really don’t worry about it because I’m here at LSU,” Woods said. “What happened in the past happened in the past.”Woods said he’s lost weight and got stronger and faster in the offseason.”I’m just trying to work on my game,” Woods said. “[I’m trying to] help this team get to the national championship next year.”Rising junior defensive tackle Akiem Hicks adds depth behind Woods, Alexander and Nevis.The defensive ends are led by rising junior Pep Levingston and rising senior Rahim Alem.Alem played in 13 games with one start in 2008, racking up eight sacks and All-SEC honors.”Rahim Alem is showing leadership and will be a really productive guy and difficult to not give a lot of playing time,” LSU coach Les Miles said.Nadeau said Alem could have a big year under Chavis’ defense, but Alem is willing to give credit to the defensive end on the other side.”Pep [Levingston] never played until the last game, and now he’s stepping up in a leadership role,” Alem said.Freshman defensive end Chase Clement should also see some playing time in 2009 after a redshirt 2008 season.”[LSU coaches] think [Clement’s] got really good skills to be a really good player,” Nadeau said.Nadeau said rising freshman defensive end Chancey Aghayere could be a top lineman in the future.The defensive line recruits from 2009 are not participating in spring practices, but they could see the field if injuries occur.Nadeau said defensive end Bennie Logan may see the most playing time of any of the freshman.Defensive ends Sam Montgomery and Michael Brockers will add depth to the ends, while defensive tackles Chris Davenport and Josh Downs may contribute in the middle.Nadeau said some of the recruits will be given a redshirt, but they are expected to be top linemen in the future for the Tigers.The linemen are looking to secure their place as the next great LSU defensive linemen and improve on an 8-5 season from 2008.”[I’m] anxious to get on that field to play against a team and show them what the real LSU Tigers are all about,” Woods said.——Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]