While all the attention was on Matt Canada and his new offense in LSU’s spring game on Saturday, three defenders stole the show.
Junior cornerback Kevin Toliver, sophomore linebacker Devin White and freshman safety Grant Delpit drew high praise from LSU coach Ed Orgeron.
The defense brought something Orgeron loves: physicality.
“I thought the defense under Dave Aranda did a tremendous job,” Orgeron said. “Guys were tackling and running around, and they were very physical.”
Delpit, who started in place of senior John Battle, racked up four tackles in the game. Orgeron even went as far as saying Delpit may start for the Tigers.
“Grant [Delpit] proved tonight that he can make plays,” Orgeron said. “I wanted to see what the guys could do underneath the lights. He did a tremendous job. We gotta watch film, but he is a guy we considered may start. We will be playing a lot of young guys on defense.”

While working with the first team defense, Delpit made his presence in both the running game and passing game on Saturday.
The first was on a jet sweep to senior wide receiver D.J. Chark. Delpit came flying down from his strong safety spot and cut down Chark in space for a short gain.
The second was on a long pass to sophomore wideout Drake Davis by senior quarterback Danny Etling. Delpit did not allow the speedster to get behind him and set himself up to almost come away with the interception.
Delpit tied White with a team-high four tackles.
A “matured” White also made a few plays that drew Orgeron’s eye.
Whenever LSU tried to run a jet sweep, White was right there.
The sophomore linebacker is taking over at the rover spot for Duke Riley, where he’ll be looked upon to make significant contributions.
“I think Dave Aranda did a tremendous job of coaching all those linebackers,” Orgeron said. “Devin [White] is going to be an excellent player for us.”
Toliver was reinserted into LSU’s starting lineup after an injury-riddled sophomore year that saw him only play in seven games last year.
The junior cornerback forced the only turnover of the game when he jumped a slant route thrown by Etling.
“Kevin Toliver has had a good spring,” Orgeron said.
Toliver also made another play down the sidelines when he broke up a deep pass intended for Chark.
He is a key member of LSU’s secondary that looks to replace four starters, two of which are cornerbacks. Toliver, along with fellow junior cornerback, Donte Jackson, are the only two players who have extensive starting experience in the defensive backfield for the Tigers.
“It was the defense’s night,” Orgeron said. “The offense did a tremendous job all spring, but tonight was the defense’s night.”