The LSU defense is a young and loaded group with freshmen starting across the board for the Tigers.
One particular standout for the purple and gold defense has been Andraez “Greedy” Williams. Through two games, the redshirt freshman has eight tackles with three pass break-ups and two interceptions.
Williams stepped in for Kevin Tolliver during the BYU game and performed so well that Coach Ed Orgeron has named him starter over Tolliver.
“I can’t get too complacent,” Williams said. “I’m going to just every day get better as a player and do what the coaches teach me.”
Another freshmen addition to “DBU” that is turning heads is Kary Vincent Jr. Vincent made an impressive one handed interception against Chattanooga that landed on SportsCenter Top 10 Plays.
Williams conceded that Vincent’s interception was the more impressive one since it landed on SportsCenter.
“Most definitely the one handed pick,” Williams said. “ESPN, I was happy for him and that’s why we call this place DBU.”
Junior defensive back Donte Jackson has been impressed with the development of Vincent and Williams. Vincent was an outside corner in high school but has shifted to an inside cover corner for the Tigers.
“[Vincent is] getting smarter,” Jackson said. “He’s starting to really learn what receivers like to do from the inside. Now that he’s smarter, I think his athleticism can take him to that next level.”
Jackson believes that behind him of course, Williams and Vincent are right there in terms of guys with the best ball skills on the team.
“Me at one in sharpie,” Jackson said. “I would probably put in lead pencil, Greedy and at 2B I would put Kary. But I’m chiseled in concrete.”
The Tigers have also found success along the front seven with freshmen K’Lavon Chaisson leading the way.
Chaisson filled the outside linebacker role while junior Arden Key remained out for the first two games. In those two outings, Chaisson had eight tackles, two sacks and two and a half tackles for a loss.
With Key back in the rotation this week against Mississippi State this weekend, Chaisson’s role may dwindle but not completely.
“He’s going to take full hits,” Orgeron said. “And then we’ll see what’s happening. But I will say this, K’Lavon Chaisson had two sacks in the game, is a very formidable backup.”
When asked about Chaisson and Key being on the field together, Jackson said he is glad they are on his team.
“Let’s just say I’d hate to be that quarterback,” Jackson said. “I’m glad they’re on my team.
In total, LSU has played 20 of its 22 freshmen class in game situations. The offensive line has dealt with a plethora of injuries but have settled in on freshmen Saahdiq Charles and Ed Ingram as the starting guards.
Backup quarterback Myles Brennan has also received snaps in both games and has completed 2-of-5 passes for 17 yards in those games.
Orgeron said he’s been very pleased with this years freshmen class.
“We played 20 freshmen this season,” Orgeron said. “For that we’re very proud. Again we’re very proud of this freshmen class and they play very well.”
