Editor’s note: This story is the last in a series on incoming football players’ impacts on the team.LSU’s 2008 recruiting class has produced a few pleasant surprises for the LSU coaching staff — once again proving stars don’t mean everything.Quarterback Jordan Jefferson, center P.J. Lonergan and right tackle Alex Hurst, all Scout.com three-star recruits from the 2008 class, have risen to become full-time starters going into this season.But the pundits got it right with one prospect.Five-star stud Patrick Peterson was rated the No. 1 cornerback in the nation, and the 6-foot-1-inch, 211-pound defensive stalwart has proved his worth in two seasons.The Pompano Beach product broke out onto the college football limelight last year when he held down the cornerback position with 13 starts, 52 tackles, an interception return for a touchdown and a blocked field goal.The 2010 recruiting class contains seven Scout four-star recruits on the defensive side of the ball eager to prove their worth.”We have a lot of good, young guys that we haven’t seem perform yet,” Peterson said. “That was high school, this is college. This is the SEC.”Shea Dixon, managing editor for TigerSportsDigest.com, said playing time for new players depends largely on the depth chart and injuries.”It’s always a numbers game,” Dixon said. “LSU has been able to bring in some guys that have the abilities to play as a freshman. They have to have athleticism and size going into college.”Dixon said Jordan Allen, a 6-foot-6-inch, 248-pound defensive end, has the right mix of pedigree and strength to see the field early.”Allen is a guy on the defensive line, since they are a little thin, you could maybe see him get in the mix,” Dixon said. “He has a good football mind coming from West Monroe, and it may be a little easier transition.”Scout three-star defensive lineman Ken Adams from Enterprise, Ala., has already been impressing the LSU coaches and players.”[He] really played first for us this spring,” LSU football coach Les Miles said at SEC Media Days. “We would expect him to play virtually in every game and if not start in most.”Adams committed to Auburn out of high school and then switched to Tennessee when he chose to go to junior college, but the 6-foot-5-inch, 252-pound lineman ultimately signed with LSU in February.Peterson’s eyes lit up when a reporter asked him about Adams during SEC Media Days.”Ken Adams and [sophomore defensive end] Sam Montgomery coming around the edge — I feel sorry for the quarterbacks,” Peterson said. “That may even make my job even easier.”Dixon said Ego Ferguson out of Hargrave Military Academy, the same school as former LSU running back Keiland Williams, will be in the mix on the defensive line once he becomes fully qualified.”He still has a summer course to complete,” Dixon said. “Whenever he gets in town, you can start to gauge where he fits in. He’s going to be the most qualified lineman from the class.”Dixon said freshman linebacker Justin Maclin, a 6-foot-4-inch, 220-pound Scout four-star recruit, could see the field before his fellow linebackers from the 2010 class, Scout three-star prospects Luke Muncie and D.J. Welter.”They are a little bit smaller,” Dixon said. “They may need a year in the weight room. He’s already a better player than those guys. I’d be shocked to see Maclin get a redshirt.”Eric Reid from Dutchtown High School is similar to Maclin in his capabilities to compete early for a spot at LSU.”He’s got it all put together,” Dixon said. “He’s got the brains and the size. He looks like he’s already in his sophomore year.”Dixon said new New Orleans native defensive backs Ronnie Vinson from Isidore Newman High School and Tyrann Mathieu from St. Augustine High School could provide depth if needed.”They are really good cornerbacks,” Dixon said. “They were seen as two of the best in the state. They are a good tandem to have.”
 
 
 
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