A 6-foot-2-inch, 285-pound monster has been dominating college football from the middle of LSU’s defensive line this season — and he’s hungry for more.
Senior defensive tackle Drake Nevis has feasted on opponents, gorging himself on opposing players to the tune of five sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, and he’s even chowed down on an interception against Mississippi State.
The Marrero native earned the nickname “Cookie Monster” when he intercepted Bulldogs quarterback Tyler Russell and LSU coach Les Miles compared the pick to a cookie.
LSU’s version of the fuzzy blue character has increased his NFL analyst stock this season and could be cashing in a large enough check to buy an unlimited amount of snacks.
“Of all the guys I’ve rated, he’s made the biggest run of anyone,” said local NFL draft expert Mike Detillier. “He was a fifth, sixth round pick to start the season.”
Nevis has made a large impact through seven games, ranking second in the Southeastern Conference in sacks and third in tackles for loss.
“He’s been an inconsistent player in the past, riding a roller coaster up and down,” Detillier said. “He’s rode it this year, but it’s all been up. He’s having an All-American season.”
Detillier said Nevis, who has been honored with three SEC Defensive Player of the Week awards, is projected as a second-round pick in April’s draft.
Middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard is another Tiger making waves after returning for his senior season.
Sheppard said he couldn’t resist the chance to come back for another year with his teammates.
“It was hard to just leave like that,” Sheppard said. “[I] had so many leaders on the team calling and asking me to come back, it was kind of hard to tell them no.”
The Stone Mountain, Ga., native’s choice seemed to work out, as his 66 total tackles ranks second in the SEC.
“He’s probably a second- or third-round guy, but a lot is going to depend on the combine,” said Rene Nadeau, college football analyst for ESPN and TigerVision. “If he puts some good numbers up, that could elevate him a bit.”
The most talked about LSU defender, junior cornerback Patrick Peterson, is still a top-10 pick, according to Detillier.
“He’s the best cover cornerback in college football,” Detillier said. “He’s the type of guy that if you are in need for a cornerback, you would look at him in the top five, but he’s no doubt a top-10 pick.”
Peterson also averages 28.2 yards per kickoff return and 21.1 yards per punt return, which is the best in the SEC.
Detillier and Nadeau said the cornerback’s cramping issues shouldn’t hinder his stock come draft day.
Senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver doesn’t have the high ratings of Peterson, but Nadeau said the Hempstead, Texas, native has value at the next level.
“He was a first-round guy for a while, and he kind of dropped,” Nadeau said. “Because of his size and potential, he’s probably looking at the second or third round.”
The 6-foot-5-inch, 203-pound wide receiver has recorded 286 yards and two touchdowns this season. His best performance came in an 111-yard, two-touchdown outing against Florida.
“He can giddy-up down field,” Detillier said. “He has the ability to step out of a tackle and make something happen in the open field.”
Nadeau said senior left tackle Joseph Barksdale should be drafted around the fourth round.
“He’s the kind of guy that playing the SEC is going to help him,” Nadeau said.
Senior kicker Josh Jasper may even hear his name called come April, Detillier said.
“He’ll be more of a late round pick, sixth or seventh round,” Detillier said. “He’s also a good pooch punter.”
Jasper has been 13-for-16 on field goal attempts this season with a successful fake field goal and fake punt.
“I trust him to kick a field goal more than I do [New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley],” Detillier said.
 
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Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]