LSU’s defensive backs will have their hands full versus Alabama wideout Calvin Ridley, cornerback Tre’Davious White said.
Last season, White wasn’t matched up much with Ridley, but he remembers the 6-foot-1, 188-pound receiver well.
He’s quick and instinctive, White said.
“He’s a great route runner,” the senior said. “We’re going to have our hands full as a defensive backfield trying to cover that guy.”
Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin shifts Ridley to different spots on the field on many occasions — sometimes in the slot or split out wide.
Ridley, who is averages 11 yards per catch, caught seven passes for 51 yards last season in Tuscaloosa when LSU was defeated 30-16.
Sophomore cornerback Donte Jackson echoed the same sentiments as White about stopping Ridley.
It’s going to take extra preparation to stop him, they said.
“We always do a lot of game planning for a good receiver. He’s a great receiver,” Jackson said of Ridley. “We have to keep our eyes on him and read our keys on him and just be ready for whatever they do.”
This season, Ridley is Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts’ primary target with 43 receptions for 504 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior defensive back Dwayne Thomas offered one alternative to stopping Ridley: Get physical.
“Being physical at the line of scrimmage,” Thomas said. “Getting our hands on him early. Making a lot of plays on the ball to let him know that we are here to defend him.”
But Ridley isn’t Hurts’ only receiving option.
Junior wide receiver ArDarius Stewart has played in only six games this season, yet has 436 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
And Alabama’s No. 3 leading receiver? He’s the best tight end the Tigers will face this season, LSU coach Ed Orgeron said.
That man is senior tight end O.J. Howard, a 6-foot-6, 251-pound target, someone Thomas says you don’t want to get in a fist fight with.
“We want him to come up the field a little more,” Thomas said. “We want to be able to read his route. We don’t want to get into a fist fight with a tight end because they have the size advantage over most guys. We want to let him come up to the field, blend into him and let him get up the field.”
In the past, Alabama’s offense has always featured a premiere running back, such as Mark Ingram or T.J. Yeldon, but now White said Alabama is able to throw the ball well and still be able to run effectively.
“They can spread the ball around, and they have two really good receivers in Stewart and Ridley,” White said. “They’re able to run downhill. They have three good backs, too. They’re able to keep it balanced.”
Orgeron, who is friends with Kiffin, lauded Alabama for having an offense that averages 229.6 passing yards per game and 268.4 rushing yards per game.
“This team is able to score 50 points a game with Lane in there,” Orgeron said. “He can hit the long ball at any time. He’s great at making the calls and the boots. He just has the complete package.”