Speed kills.
That seems to be the mindset of LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis every offseason.
Nearly every player on the current defensive line came to LSU listed as a different position. Nine different Tigers on the defensive depth chart have switched positions upon their arrival, five of which have developed into starters.
Hoping to gain a speedy edge, beefing up his players and moving them closer to the line has become a staple of the third-year coach’s defense.
“When you can be quicker than the person in front of you, I feel like you can make plays,” said sophomore defensive tackle Michael Brockers, who was recruited as a four-star defensive end. “We have ends on our team that can run 4.4s and can cover backs coming out of the backfield and not get position.”
Senior linebacker Karnell Hatcher was the next convert, when he made the move from safety last spring to fill in for Sheppard.
But the linebackers aren’t the only unit seeing new faces each season.
Sophomore defensive end Barkevious Mingo, who was a four-star outside linebacker recruit out of high school, said he was skeptical when coaches first asked him to drop down to the line, but said the new spot has grown on him.
“I kind of didn’t like it at first … but I’m happy where I’m at,” Mingo said, who has racked up 13 tackles, 4 1/2 for a loss and two sacks this season. “Getting used to playing with your hand down and not being able to see the whole field is the biggest difference that I know. [Defensive line coach Brick Haley] teaches us what we need to do, how to do it, when to do what and it’s helped us improve throughout this year and since we’ve been