There are plenty of former LSU standouts wowing NFL fans across the country.
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has enough spectacular one-handed catches to develop a highlight reel.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson is always a threat to return a punt or kick, and at any moment, he’s capable of jumping a route and returning it all the way for a pick six. Jeremy Hill is off to a slow start this season, but the Cincinnati Bengals running back found the end zone so frequently in his rookie season that I always check Twitter on Sunday to see what touchdown dance he performed in celebration.
Those three guys are accomplished NFL players, as are many other ex-Tigers. They make the headlines and the highlights.
But I think Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth is the best former LSU player who played under Les Miles on an active NFL roster.
Jack, are you out of your mind?
Have you ever seen Beckham haul in a long ball with a couple fingers while being dragged to the ground by a helpless defensive back? Have you seen Peterson approach Mach-5 speeds while he races to the endzone on a return?
Yes, I have. I’m aware of what Beckham, Peterson, Hill and a host of other former LSU stars accomplished in the NFL.
Beckham’s 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games are more than most receivers accomplish in a full year. Those are truly outlandish numbers, especially from a rookie.
Peterson is always a threat to break a game open, and Hill is always one stiff arm away from hitting the whip in the end zone to celebrate his latest touchdown. I’m still convinced Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry’s hands are made of glue.
I could go on-and-on because the list of former LSU players in the NFL is a long one. You could make an argument for the guys listed above, for sure. I won’t fight you. There are several former LSU standouts with strong cases.
However, I’m convinced Whitworth is the right choice.
It’s hard to stand out as an offensive lineman. Often times, when linemen stand out, it’s not a good thing.
But Whitworth goes about his business quietly and almost always seems to do his job perfectly. He’s responsible for protecting Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton’s blindside, a job he’s done well for several years.
Dalton reaped the benefits. This season, his production is so high, you could argue he’s the NFL’s best quarterback. He owes a lot of that success to his offensive line, particularly Whitworth.
Since 2009, Whitworth has only missed two starts. He’s played out of position because of injuries on the Bengals offensive line, and he’s excelled. You can’t say enough about an ever-present, versatile star.
Going into this season, Whitworth was highly rated by nearly everyone. Writers for Athlon Sports, Scout.com and Grantland had him as one of the highest ranked players at his position. Even Madden had him as the fifth-highest rated offensive lineman in the game.
It’s not just his football skills that make him great, though. Whitworth is known to be a vocal leader for the Bengals organization, and leadership is not always the easiest to find.
You know how highly the Bengals value Whitworth and his leadership because as an almost 34-year-old, they just extended his contract through 2016. Cincinnati did this after selecting two highly-rated tackles in the 2015 NFL draft, showing that Whitworth will not be easily replaced.
Whitworth’s high level of play, leadership and consistency over a 10-year career lead me to believe he’s the best former Tiger in the NFL.
If you disagree, be sure to voice your opinion with TDR’s tournament-style bracket unveiling today to determine the best active LSU player in the NFL who played under Miles. Voting opens today, and you’ll determine who comes out on top.
Jack Woods is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Jack_TDR.