Without a doubt, the leader of “DBU” heading into next fall will be sophomore cornerback Greedy Williams.
Along with fellow freshman Grant Delpit, they are the only two starters returning in the secondary for the Tigers. Last season, Williams finished with 38 tackles and six interceptions.
Following a huge year for Williams, he adopted a new leadership role as his teammates began to look to him for guidance on their own individual game. It was new for Williams as an underclassmen, but a role he embraced.
“The season I had last year put a big impact on myself for those guys,” Williams said. “I have to keep performing well and maintain a professional style to teach those guys to walk around with a chip on their shoulder.”
Williams teaches other guys on how to grow as players on and off the field. Throughout the spring, dividends have shown as players began to showcase their improvement.
“We talk everyday and I tell them when they are messing up, so I look at myself as a big brother to them,” Williams said.
Williams have taken strides to continue building off an impressive breakout year and improve his game.
“I’ve worked on my technique throughout the spring a lot and became a big film-study guy,” Williams said. “I mainly wanted to work on my footwork. That is very important to me and I wanted to perfect my technique and make the best of it. I also wanted to get more involved with the team.”
Coach Ed Orgeron will be relying on unknown players to produce at a high level for his defense. Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will be without the services of Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver II as those guys declared for the NFL Draft.
It is expected that a player such as graduate transfer from Stanford Terrence Alexander will provide the secondary with much needed maturity and experience, as well as speed. Alexander is a 5-foot-10, 182 pound elite athlete that provides quickness on the edge for the LSU.
With an LSU team that is already lacking depth in the secondary, getting Alexander was a huge pickup for the Tigers.
“Bringing in that guy and getting him used to the playbook will be key,” Williams said. “He’s an experienced guy and I think he will pick up on the playbook fast and we’ll be able to get good work in with him.”
Sophomores Jontre Kirklin and Mannie Netherly have been in the mix for earning the starting position.
Kirklin is converting to cornerback from quarterback, causing him to adapt to a completely new style of play. He has look to Williams the most as a mentor and someone to help smoothen his transition.
“He asks a lot of questions so I have to give him basically my whole game,” Williams said. “He came from quarterback also and now he is a DB. It’s a big change and from my experience as a wide receiver before becoming a DB in high school, I know the change. He’s progressing well.”
Netherly is a player the coaching staff believes is a player that brings valuable assets to the team and could be a boost to the defense as well.
“He played defensive back in high school, but we brought it back to him,” Williams said. “It’s kind of new to him with getting all of the technique down,”
In the spring game, Netherly and Kirklin each recorded one pass breakup. The two seen significant playing time and solidified themselves squarely in the race.
Along with those players, elite athlete Kary Vincent Jr. will also be a contender to challenge for the spot. Vincent Jr. has shown the ability to play a multiple positions effectively such as wide receiver and cornerback.
Vincent was recruited and brought into LSU as one of the best athletes in the recruiting class of 2017. Last season, Vincent Jr. gained valuable experience when used at multiple positions, but primarily played cornerback in high school.
As a whole, LSU has players who are talented enough to fill in the holes and not experience a huge drop off. However, no one knows who those players will be and it will be one of the biggest question marks going into summer camp.
