Harry Coleman’s bone crushing hits will continue for the LSU football team — just at a new position. The former starting strong safety, who led LSU with 71 tackles last year, will suit up at strongside linebacker this fall.The decision to switch the 6-foot-2-inch, 206-pound senior to linebacker was made to provide depth and versatility to a defense that finished No. 9 in the Southeastern Conference in yards allowed per game. “When you have a guy like him that can play every down, it gives you the flexibility that you don’t have to make substitutions,” said first-year defensive coordinator John Chavis.LSU coach Les Miles said Coleman could see situational time at safety throughout the season but reiterated Coleman will start at linebacker. “He is a starter for us. We’re certainly going to get him on the field,” he said. When Chavis talked to Coleman near the end of spring practice about the possibility of a switch to linebacker, Coleman embraced the idea with open arms.”He’s willing to do whatever he needs to do to make this team as good as it can be,” Chavis said. “His attitude is the attitude you’re looking for in terms of having a team concept.” Chavis said he wants to have as many linebackers as possible in a rotation, keeping them fresh for the speed they will see from SEC offenses. Coleman’s addition to the linebacker corps will now allow junior Kelvin Sheppard to see more action at his natural middle linebacker position. “It provides us with a lot more depth,” said Sheppard, who finished second to Coleman with 64 tackles. “If we get tired, like Chief [Chavis] tells us all the time, tap on your helmet and we’ll get somebody else in there until you can go.”Since learning of his position change in the spring, Coleman has made a smooth transition to linebacker. He showed he grasped his new position Aug. 15 in LSU’s first scrimmage, where he recorded four tackles and a sack.Coleman said his safety background has taught him to constantly be aware of both the run and pass, but now has a new thought process. “It’s pretty much knowledge — run first, pass second,” said the Baldwin native.  Senior weakside linebacker Perry Riley applauded Coleman’s effort and how hard he worked transitioning to linebacker. “It’s definitely a lot harder to be in the box than it is to be roaming around, but he’s a very physical player, and he’ll make the transition well,” Riley said. Coleman spent a lot of time in coverage last year, which gives him an advantage in the position change. His instinctive ball skills helped him record seven pass break ups, good enough for second on the team. In Chavis’ scheme, Coleman will take the primary responsibility of picking up the tight end, running back or even a slot receiver. “Because I played safety last year … it will be much easier for me to adjust to any coverage,” he said. When Coleman isn’t out in coverage, he will be in the box against the run, something unfamiliar to a safety. Coleman said he made a conscious effort during the past few months to work on how to shed off blockers. “Going from safety to linebacker you’ve got to use your hands more,” he said. “I worked all summer on getting better at that. It’s coming along fine.” Chavis, who coached several All-American linebackers during his tenure at Tennessee, sees Coleman as a nightmare for SEC linemen. He said Coleman not only brings athleticism but packs a powerful punch for his sleek 206-pound frame. “He makes it very difficult for offensive linemen to block him because of his quickness and because of his feet,” Chavis said. “And also, he shocks them when there’s contact because he’s very powerful.” Coleman will benefit from the three years he spent commanding the Tigers’ secondary. His speed and quickness will bring much needed athleticism to a group of linebackers who constantly face questions about their ability to compete in the SEC. “A lot of people try to question mine, [Kelvin’s] and Jacob [Cutrera’s] speed,” Riley said. “Well you can’t question Harry’s speed. He was a starting safety in the SEC, so the speed is there, the size is there, the depth is there.”No matter where Tiger fans see Coleman line up this fall, he should continue to see plenty of opportunities to make “highlight-reel hits.” “However I can get you on the ground, I’m going to do it,” Coleman said.—-Contact Sean Isabella at [email protected]