Linebacker Lionel Turner learned much from departing senior Bradie James.
Most of all, he learned to leave it all out on the field.
“The thing I learned from Bradie was go full speed, 100 miles per hour,” Turner said.
Turner will be a part of a relatively inexperienced linebacking core. Head coach Nick Saban is hoping to fill the spots of James and fellow departing senior Jeremy Lawrence — and the 203 combined tackles the two had.
The junior Turner, sophomore Cameron Vaughn, senior Jason LeDoux and incoming junior college transfer from East Mississippi Junior College, Kenny Hollis, look to be the four main players vying for three linebacker spots.
Hollis will not join the team until two-a-days begin shortly before the fall semester commences.
Turner and Vaughn have the most experience in the LSU defensive scheme. Turner was third on the team last year with 71 tackles. Vaughn, as a true freshman, recorded 38 tackles and two sacks, while starting in the battle for the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division against Arkansas.
“Those two guys have some experience,” Saban said. “They’ve been the best two inside backers to this point. Jason LeDoux — we really would like to see develop and would like to see him continue to improve.”
Saban also said two others could be in the mix. Senior Dave Peterson, who was not on the team last year, could add depth, as could redshirt freshman Alonzo Manuel.
According to Saban, Turner is working in the middle right now and Vaughn is working on the weakside. Turner said he has been moving around and learning all of the linebacker positions just in case he is a better fit elsewhere.
“It was big for me to get experience last year and play with Bradie and them to see how you’re suppose to play the position,” Turner said. “I’ve been doing really well this spring, knowing that I played with them last year, got the experience and saw how the game tempo was.”
Turner said his strength would be his athletic ability, which helps him fend off blocks. He also said he is trying to improve in several areas.
“The things I’ve been working on the most is making reads that we have to have,” Turner said. “Last year I really wasn’t reading, I was just getting to the ball. This spring I’ve been working on reading the back setup, the linemen and everything.”
While the Tigers’ linebacking core is small on experience, Turner predicts big things.
“With us, we’re going to continue the legacy of linebackers that have been here,” Turner said. “We’ve been together for a year so we have some experience. Jason played some, Cameron played a lot last year so we’ll be just as good as the last couple of linebackers that have been here.”