Not everything on the field comes down to a player’s talent.
Production often depends on his approach to the game itself — a translation of his understanding of overall schemes and his specific role in each play.
Entering as a four-star defensive back prospect, according to 247Sports.com last season, LSU sophomore cornerback Ed Paris didn’t take the game seriously, instead falling into the freshman role of the class clown of the personality-filled secondary.
“When he first came in, he was a freshman,” said senior safety Jalen Mills. “He joked a lot during walk throughs and things like that. He really didn’t take it serious maybe because he thought he would have to wait his turn behind older guys.”
But coming into this season, Paris said his mindset has changed as he matured, understanding the system better and getting more comfortable in his role.
“I’m a lot more aware of the system, [and] that plays a tremendous [role],” Paris said. “When you feel comfortable, you kind of get back into the rhythm back from high school days. You get your confidence back.”
This season, the Tigers will rely on a matured Paris to step up in a rotation of cornerbacks opposite three-year starter Tre’Davious White.
Paris aims to return LSU to its “Defensive Back University” roots by bringing back the ball-hawk mentality, following in the footsteps of former standouts Patrick Peterson and Morris Claiborne, who combined for 18 interceptions during their LSU careers.
Of the previous members of LSU secondary, Paris said he admired Peterson and Claiborne the most because of Peterson’s ability to cover in one-on-one situations and Claiborne’s skill at tracking the ball.
However, without Peterson and Claiborne, the Tigers interception totals have decreased from 18 in 2011 to only 10 in 2014, with three defensive backs tied for a team-high of two apiece last season.
Paris looks to contribute to a rise in turnovers this season as he builds on his knack for creating turnovers during his four years at Mansfield Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas. He recorded 20 interceptions during his high school career, including eight picks in his junior season, according to 247Sports.com.
“I have to say I’m pretty much a ball hawk,” Paris said. “I track the ball a lot. I definitely always had it, but I would say it’s definitely increasing the older I get and the more knowledge I get from playing.”
Heading into his sophomore campaign, Paris’ improvement needs to continue as he competes for snaps in a secondary jam packed with talent, from Sporting News 2014 Freshman All-American safety Jamal Adams to former unanimous five-star cornerback Kevin Toliver II.
Paris’ mature outlook will be key as he looks to develop his technique after Toliver earned the unofficial start against McNeese State Saturday night.
“He’s still working hard as usual,” Adams said. “He’s going to get better. He’s just got to fix some of the technical things, but all of us do. Once he gets that, the sky’s the limit for him.”
Despite the challenges ahead of him, Paris’ ability to evolve his game has left his teammates with a completely different view of the Arlington, Texas, native heading into 2015.
“Ed has just taken his game, and he transformed it,” Mills said. “[Defensive coordinator Kevin] Steele and [defensive backs coach Corey] Raymond always say, ‘Train and practice like a professional’…He knows it’s his turn and he’s starting to act like a professional.”