LSU freshman Anthony Johnson has to win more than his spot on the defensive line this spring.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 294-pound defensive tackle was known as “The Freak” for his size and strength in the middle of the O. Perry Walker High School defense the past four seasons.
Undersized offensive linemen at the high school level caved to Johnson’s man-like force. Johnson crushed the Louisiana high school freshman sack record in 2007, punishing opposing quarterbacks 18.5 times.
Now “The Freak” is facing players his own size during LSU spring practices, and his new teammates are making him earn his high school moniker.
“The older guys, we have a no-nickname policy,” said senior right guard Will Blackwell. “You don’t really come here with a nickname. You come here, and then your nickname is earned.”
Johnson, freshman running back Kenny Hilliard and junior college transfer quarterback Zach Mettenberger are new to the practice field this spring, getting an early start on the competition before the summer.
LSU coach Les Miles said Mettenberger still trails the quarterback veterans — seniors Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee — though the sophomore threw two touchdowns in Saturday’s scrimmage in Tiger Stadium.
“In time I think Zach will compete with his advantages,” Miles said. “Right now the experience of the veterans is showing.”
The 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound quarterback has experience of his own, competing for the starting job at Georgia last spring and leading Butler Community College to the Junior College National Championship Game last fall.
“We call him little Ben [Roethlisberger] … as far as being mobile in the pocket,” said junior wide receiver Russell Shepard. “He has one of the best arms I’ve seen in a while. You can tell he’s been coached up really well.”
Blackwell said Mettenberger is different from the other two quarterbacks vying for the starting job.
“We like his attitude. We like the way he kids around,” Blackwell said. “He brings a little bit of excitement to the table.”
Hilliard, another new addition this spring, has even more players ahead of him on the depth chart.
Sophomore Spencer Ware leads the running back corps, and sophomores Alfred Blue and Michael Ford and freshman Jakhari Gore are close behind.
Hilliard, the nephew of former LSU and New Orleans Saints running back Dalton Hilliard, didn’t participate in Saturday’s scrimmage. Miles said his absence was due to “personal reasons.”
“There’s a lot of stuff he needs to learn,” Jefferson said. “Once he learns everything and buys in more to the system … he’s going to be a great player for LSU.”
Hilliard, like Johnson, had a historic high school career, setting the Louisiana record with 8,603 rushing yards at Patterson High School.
Sophomore defensive tackle Michael Brockers said Johnson is already showing why he was a blue-chip recruit.
“It’s amazing how these guys come out of high school and do the things they do,” Brockers said. “I have to watch behind me. … With Anthony Johnson behind me, it’s never a day I can let up.”
Johnson had two solo tackles in the scrimmage Saturday, but Blackwell said it still wasn’t enough for him to earn his high school nickname.
“After the spring and probably after fall camp, when he shows us he’s definitely all in, then maybe he can have his nickname back,” Blackwell joked.
INJURY NOTES
Junior tight end Chase Clement was absent from Tuesday’s practice. Clement was seen Monday with a sling on his left arm.
Senior linebacker Karnell Hatcher practiced Tuesday with a green non-contact jersey. It is unknown whether Hatcher suffered an injury.
Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert.
 
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Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]