Being the cornerback forced to play opposite of Patrick Peterson is no easy task.
 
The LSU coaching staff needed to find a Robin to Peterson’s Batman. They may have found the answer with sophomore Morris Claiborne.
 
“We feel very confident that he’s talented enough .… he’s shown us that in practice,” said defensive coordinator John Chavis. “He’s shown that he can be a lockdown corner and that he can handle the pressure of being on the field.”
 
Claiborne got the opportunity to learn from the best last season — he was a backup to Peterson at cornerback.
 
Using the situation to his full advantage, Claiborne said he has been soaking up as much knowledge as he can from the All-American.
 
“I have learned a lot on and off the field [from Peterson],” Claiborne said. “I try to pattern my game after him. He’s one of the best corners in the league, and I’m trying to be just like him.”
 
As a backup last season, Claiborne played in seven games and recorded seven tackles.
 
Peterson said he has taken Claiborne under his wing and is teaching the young athlete everything he can in order for him to succeed.
 
“I taught him everything I know, and every time I come up with something new or do something different he also gets that first-hand teaching, too,” Peterson said. “I’m telling him to stay patient. It’s a critical game out there, and it’s tough.”
 
But Claiborne wasn’t always a natural cornerback.
 
Coming out of high school, ‘Mo’ was recruited as an athlete, playing quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back at Fair Park High School in Shreveport.
 
Claiborne said he initially preferred wide receiver but accepted playing cornerback with open arms.
 
“When I first came in, I preferred wide receiver because that’s all that I knew,” he said. “But once I got here and got to working with the defense and working with the older players … they really changed my mind.”
 
The 6-foot, 177-pound Shreveport native said the decision to come to LSU was fairly easy as it has been a lifelong goal.
“[Coming to LSU] has been a long-time dream,” Claiborne said. “Everybody from my high school that went big, they went to LSU.”
 
One of the players Claiborne is referring to is former Tiger defensive back Ronnie Prude, who spent two seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens.
 
A Fair Park High School star and LSU standout, Prude provided the model on which Claiborne based his cornerback style.
 
Whomever Claiborne may have learned the trade from, it seems to be paying off. Peterson said he has seen drastic advances in the young corner’s play over the past year.
 
“Morris is so confident within himself, and he’s so smart,” Peterson said. “He’s willing to learn … that’s the best thing I like about him. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
 
Chavis said nothing but good things about Claiborne and his abilities. And after 21 years of coaching in the Southeastern Conference, Chavis has seen his fair share of corners.
 
“He’s a guy we feel very comfortable with at the other corner that gives us an opportunity to do some things a little different,” Chavis said. “He’s a guy that’s growing, he’s a guy that’s an excellent talent, and we’re really excited about him.”
 
A true athlete, Claiborne is also high up on the depth chart as a kick returner and said he has been working with the special teams unit daily.
 
“I’m looking forward to getting back there and returning some kicks. … That’ll be nice,” Claiborne said. “Hopefully I’ll get my shot.”
 
Peterson is currently the frontrunner to return kicks and punts, with Claiborne listed as one of the top backups.
 
Wherever Claiborne will play on the field this year, Peterson said one thing is for sure — he’ll be ready.
 
“He’s getting ready,” Peterson said. “I kid you not, I will have Morris on top of the mountain when the season starts.”
 
 
 
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Contact Mark Clements at [email protected]