LSU sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson would get the nod as the starter if the season started now, LSU football coach Les Miles said Friday at the final day of this year’s Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala.But as much as Jefferson was mentioned, Miles — and senior offensive tackle Ciron Black and senior linebacker Jacob Cutrera — made sure to keep sophomore quarterback Jarrett Lee’s name in the picture.”A year ago we put three freshmen quarterbacks on the field, all of which at one point in time got hurt,” Miles said. “[Lee] currently has eight games experience as a starter, [Jefferson] three. I can tell you that both Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee will take the field with a lot more experience and comfort with what we expect of our quarterback.”Miles told media the Jefferson was “bigger and stronger” than a year ago and that he expects the experience Jefferson gained as a true freshman should help him greatly in 2009.The Tiger coach also pointed to the experience around the quarterback position as a recipe for possible success in the fall.”Charles Scott, that offensive line, should catch speed quickly,” he said. “Our receivers are going to be an advantage for us. JoJo LaFell, Brandon LaFell, is expected by his coaches and his team to have a great year. Terrance Toliver, I think we can put a number of receivers on the field that can do damage to an opponent’s defense.”The Tigers open the 2009 season Sept. 5 at Washington, coming off an 8-5 season — the worst of Miles’ tenure at LSU.”There’s a level of acceptable achievement at our school. I think our guys understand it. I think championship is how we’re measured,” Miles said. “I had somebody ask me, you know, Is that something you expect? You never expect to finish second, not at LSU. I think our team has prepared in earnest. I think it will be seen this fall.”The Tigers finished 2008 with a 38-3 Chick-fil-A Bowl victory despite the disappointing final record.But Black and Cutrera said the win against Georgia Tech wasn’t enough to rid the sour taste from their mouths.”Right now we’re really hungry,” Black said. “We ended the season on a great note with the Chick-fil-A Bowl. That wasn’t enough. We only had one game to do that, and we couldn’t salvage the season with that one game … We’re going to camp ready to play, ready to get back into the season.”Cutrera echoed Black’s comments, adding that new defensive coordinator John Chavis and a new set of defensive assistants have added a heightened energy to a Tiger defense that enters 2009 without a preseason All-SEC first-team defender for the first time under Miles.”The hunger is there more than ever,” Cutrera said. “From what happened to us last year — that’s not our style of play at LSU. That’s not how we want to be remembered. We went through the spring hungrier than ever. The intensity was there. Everybody bought into coach Chavis’ scheme that he brought in. That carried over into summer workouts.”Chavis joins LSU after 20 seasons at Tennessee. Former South Carolina assistant Ron Cooper joins the Tigers as defensive backs coach, while former Chicago Bears assistant Brick Haley will coach the LSU defensive line.”There’s a great deal of experience and ability in the coaching staff,” Miles said. “Again, our players want to play great, and understand theres a work habit and a work ethic there that’s established. Again, I think it will fall together nicely.”One key member of the Tigers’ defense could be junior safety Chad Jones.After coming to LSU as a highly touted prospect Jones has seen time in the secondary as a backup, playing behind former Tigers Craig Steltz and Curtis Taylor and now senior Harry Coleman.”We’re talented in the secondary,” Miles said. “Chad Jones, being, you know, put in as our free safety, allowing him to get comfortable at a spot, will benefit his development. I think he’s a very talented player. We look forward to that continuing. But I think our defense will be better, as well.”Jones is one of three two-sport Tigers to win a national championship in the last two months.Former LSU wide receiver Jared Mitchell, who would have been a senior on this season’s football team, won the College World Series championship with Jones and the Tiger baseball team before deciding to sign a professional baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox.Senior wide receiver and return man Trindon Holliday took home the individual title in the 100-meter at the 2009 NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships.”I believe, and I’ve told him this, that he’s a football player,” Miles said. “I think he enjoys toughness. I think he likes to run the football. I think he does not shy from contact. I think he’s been a great example of competitive edge and the ability to advance a guy that has a specific skill and get him on the field and use him.”Holliday is credited as the fastest college football player in history based on his 10.00-second 100-meter time on the track.—-Contact The Daily Reveille sports staff at [email protected]