It was a sore spot for the Tigers last year.
If anyone in the national or local media spoke of the Tigers, their weakness in the secondary usually was mentioned.
But this year, things have been different. The LSU secondary has cut down on allowing big plays.
Along with the emergence of converted wide receiver junior Corey Webster, the secondary has helped turn around one of the most maligned defenses in the country into a defense that currently is the top defense in the land.
Cornerbacks
The key here has been Webster. The Vacherie, La. native resisted a switch to cornerback last year and needed to be coaxed by head coach Nick Saban to switch positions.
Webster did that, and though he did not start until the Auburn game — because of the bizarre Damien James situation — he leads the team in interceptions with five.
Also take into consideration Webster’s interceptions came at opportune times with two coming in the Southeastern Conference opener against Mississippi State and three, including one returned for a touchdown, in the road victory against Florida.
“I didn’t know I could be good at it,” Webster said after the State game. “I hadn’t really ever played defense. I played a little bit in high school, but that was only in certain situations.”
Junior Randall Gay has proved a valuable asset for the Tigers. The Brusly native was the Tigers’ starting left cornerback until James’ suspension forced him to take over at free safety against Auburn.
Gay is the fifth leading tackler on the team.
Senior Demetrius Hookfin had been tossed around in the local media more than a beach ball prior to this season. Hookfin has registered three interceptions this season, including a two-interception performance against South Carolina [should have been three if not for a late-hit penalty that negated the third interception].
Hookfin returned his second interception of the game for a touchdown to help secure an LSU rout.
Travis Daniels and Ronnie Prude receive incompletes because both have not seen much field action.
Safeties
The bizarre situation with free safety Damien James just keeps getting even more bizarre by the second. James, who was absent from the first three practices last week, was reinstated to the team Saturday, but suspended indefinitely. James has two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown this season.
However, the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate reported in its Monday edition that Saban, along with others, have come to the decision that James will no longer be a member of the team.
“I’ve bent over backwards for Damien,” Saban said. “We gave him every chance. But we’re helping him now by not enabling him to continue to do the wrong things.”
Meanwhile, strong safety Norman LeJeune has been a steady for supporting against the run and in pass defense. The senior from Brusly will have to take on a bigger role with James gone.
If Saban decides to move Gay back to left cornerback, converted receiver Jack Hunt and Adrian Mayes will duke it out to take over at free safety.