With all the talk about junior Ryan Perrilloux’s indefinite suspension and LSU’s quarterback situation, one of the keys to success for the Tigers will be on the other side of the ball.
The Tigers’ defensive backfield will undergo a major shift in 2008 after relying on the play of three seniors during this past season’s national championship run.
While former cornerbacks Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon and former safety Craig Steltz prepare for the NFL Draft, LSU begins spring practice relying on defensive backs with varied experience.
Senior safety Curtis Taylor is the only returning starter, but even with Taylor leading the way, most of the veteran-imparted knowledge may have been passed on this past season.
“Taylor is a big help to us – especially since he played last year,” said sophomore cornerback Jai Eugene. “[Jackson and Zenon] gave us tips about how to play this kind of technique or that.”
Eugene, who recorded eight tackles in 12 games in his 2007 redshirt freshman season, may have to change his role slightly after serving as a team comedian to lighten the mood in his first year of action.
“Last year I was playing behind [Jackson], but my personality won’t change,” Eugene said. “I’m going to still be the same person, but I think I’ll just focus a little bit more on my task and what I need to do on the field.”
Junior Chris Hawkins is expected to start at the other corner after recording 13 tackles in 13 games in his sophomore season.
Eugene said Hawkins’ biggest strength may be his ability to limit big plays.
“His speed on long balls – a receiver’s barely going to get past him,” Eugene said. “He has phenomenal speed.”
While Eugene and Hawkins provide almost all of the experience at cornerback, the Tigers’ safeties will likely provide more depth.
Along with Taylor, junior safety Danny McCray saw significant time this past season, accumulating 64 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions.
Junior Harry Coleman may be the name freshest on LSU fans’ minds after stepping up in the national championship game in relief of an injured Steltz.
“I can’t call it a ‘coming out party,’ because deep down inside I knew I could’ve done that,” Coleman said. “I was just being patient and waiting because I was behind All-Americans.”
Coleman recovered a punt return fumble by LSU freshman safety Chad Jones, blitzed Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman forcing an interception by Jackson and recovered a Boeckman fumble in LSU’s 38-24 victory against the Buckeyes.
Jones, currently splitting time between spring practice and his freshman baseball season, returns as a sophomore.
Jones racked up four tackles and two sacks at Alabama in 2007 – including a 14-yard, third-down sack – and forced a fumble Taylor recovered at the Alabama 3-yard-line.
While the Tigers do not have much experience in the secondary and former defensive coordinator Bo Pelini has left to coach Nebraska, Eugene said he still expects to play a lot of man-to-man defense at cornerback.
“The defense won’t change since Pelini left – not at all,” Eugene said. “We’re going to still keep the same scheme.”
Eugene said the biggest change will be that the cornerbacks will be “the biggest hole in the defense” and under the spotlight all season.
“Me and Chris Hawkins – we both have a chip on our shoulder,” Eugene said. “We both have a lot to prove to everyone just because [Jackson] and Zenon are gone now.”Senior defensive end Tyson Jackson said the change is “just something you have to go through in football,” and he has confidence in this year’s secondary.
“Even though they lack a lot of experience, they were behind two great cornerbacks in [Jackson] and [Zenon],” Jackson said. “So the mental aspect of it is there. We just need to get those guys out there in game-type situations where they can make plays with their athletic abilities.”
Tyson Jackson was also quick to point out that Chevis Jackson and Zenon had to replace former Tiger standout cornerbacks Corey Webster, Travis Daniels and Ronnie Prude.
Steltz and Taylor similarly stepped into starting roles in 2007 after the departure of former LSU safeties Laron Landry and Jessie Daniels.
—-Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected]