LSU fans who were still at Saturday’s game to witness redshirt freshman running back Michael Ford’s 36-yard touchdown run may have done a little head scratching.
Not that Ford’s second touchdown wasn’t music to everyone’s ears, but more of a reference to the gigantic figure wearing the No. 44 that paved the way for Ford’s second touchdown of the night — freshman J.C. Copeland.
Copeland, a mammoth 275-pound defensive tackle who also plays fullback, saw the field for the first time this season.
He is the latest LSU true freshman to see the field as LSU coach Les Miles has now played 12 freshmen, the highest ever under Miles and the most since 2006 when he played 10.
“Our veterans in the beginning of the year told them they expect young guys to play like veterans, and they have,” Miles said. “This freshman class will win a lot of football games in their time.”
The freshman class, rated by Rivals.com as the No. 6 class in the country, has wasted little time acclimating itself to Tiger Stadium.
Freshman cornerback Tyrann Mathieu has already established his name as one of the premier playmakers in the Southeastern Conference.
He leads the team in forced fumbles (3) and fumbles recovered (2).
He ranks fifth on the team in tackles (25), third in sacks (2.5) and second in pass break ups (4).
Miles said he doesn’t have a recipe as to when to burn a redshirt or when to sit a guy out for a year, but he said he doesn’t rush judgment.
“Imagine if we would have gone into the year with a premature decision on Tyrann Mathieu” Miles said. “That’s really the issue, if you get a guy that potentially could really help your team, and you deny him.”
Even so, the 12 freshmen that have seen the field so far has come as somewhat of a surprise to many.    
Historically, Miles has rarely put freshmen on the field, having only played 21 in the past three years.
But the Tigers lost a large chunk of their team to graduation, lost eligibility and the NFL draft, leaving Swiss cheese-like holes in the depth chart and thus creating early opportunities for playing time.
“It’s been a big difference in our team because it’s created this competition everywhere,” said junior running back Stevan Ridley. “No one’s spot is guaranteed.”
Ridley has benefitted from Ford and freshmen Alfred Blue and Spencer Ware to take the load off him in certain situations.
Blue has 70 yards and a touchdown, while Ware has 39 rushing yards and six catches for 55 yards.
Miles didn’t have a choice whether or not to redshirt Ware or Blue with the departure of Charles Scott and Keiland Williams and burned the redshirt of defensive end Justin Maclin last weekend to provide depth after learning Sam Montgomery would be out for the year with a knee injury.
The secondary also needed a shot in the arm after losing Chris Hawkins, Danny McCray and Chad Jones. Defensive coordinator John Chavis turned to Mathieu, along with safety Eric Reid and defensive backs Tharold Simon and Ronnie Vinson to help fill the void.
Reid has played in all seven games, registering eight tackles, while Simon and Vinson have recently seen the field in dime situations.
“You have to take baby steps. You can’t just throw them in,” said sophomore wide receiver Russell Shepard, who played in all 12 games as a true freshman last season. “You need to work them on the field slowly.”
As for Copeland, this may be just the tip of the iceberg.
Miles said Monday walk-on junior James Stampley will remain the starter, but Copeland will get his chance to wreak havoc on opposing defenses.
“J.C. Copeland is a tremendous young player and a guy who will play significant football from this point forward,” Miles said. “He’ll get some playing time in this game against Auburn.”
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Contact Sean Isabella at [email protected]