LSU’s secondary is going through a slight makeover.
Gone are All-American defensive backs and regular starters Tre’Davious White and Jamal Adams.
So are veterans Dwayne Thomas and Ricky Jefferson. The four defensive backs helped anchor a defense that allowed 197 yards per game last season.
Not only were Adams and Thomas leaders on the field, but they also loved to trade barbs with opposing wide receivers.
But don’t expect much of that from senior safety Ed Paris.
“That’s Jamal [Adams’s] game,” Paris said. “Jamal likes to talk. I’m more of a quiet guy. I sneak up on you, I might bite you I don’t know.”
Paris, who switched from cornerback to safety the week of LSU’s game against Alabama, is slated to take on a new role as the Tigers’ starting safety.
LSU coach Ed Orgeron said in a press conference last week he felt Paris was more of a natural fit at safety, and he’s welcoming the switch.
“It’s not tough,” Paris said. “I played a lot, I always play, no matter what game or how many times I was played, I got on the field … I think it’s just learning, a learning process, you just gotta keep on working.”
Paris said redshirt freshmen Eric Monroe and Cam Lewis are working behind him at safety and that redshirt sophomore Xavier Lewis is starting at nickel.
Xavier could be filling in for Thomas’ role.
The defensive back said the nickel position is a “natural” fit for him.
“I’m coming off the edge helping with blitzes,” Xavier said. “I like it. I’m a versatile defensive back, so I can play nickel, safety, corner, whatever.”
Beside Xavier, familiar faces such as junior cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver have starting spots heading into spring.
Jackson started 11 games last season, registering 39 tackles and two interceptions, and Toliver began the year as a starter but was hampered by knee and shoulder injuries, causing him to miss five games.
“All the corners are just fighting hard,” Jackson said. “Everybody wants to get out there and play, everybody wants to be that guy that starts opposite of me. It’s fun to watch.”
With the majority of the roles seemingly filled, there’s only one question left:
Who is going to do all the trash talking?
“Donte is the leader of the pack when it comes to talking,” Paris said while laughing. “He has all the jokes, him and Xavier [Lewis] are the loudest guys, they are always talking.”

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Augustus Stark

LSU sophomore cornerback Xavier Lewis (17) participates in defensive drills during the first spring football practice on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Charles McClendon LSU football practice facility.