The 2003 LSU media football guide lists junior Travis Daniels as a free safety.
But it is probably not a good idea to put a particular position next to Daniels’ name.
The Hollywood, Fla. native does not like to limit himself to one position. Neither does the LSU coaching staff.
“We just kind of see how it goes and where we need him,” said LSU coach Nick Saban after the Tigers 41-6 win over Mississippi State Saturday. “When we play people with multiple receiver formations, we might be better playing him at corner. We fit together a little better when he’s playing corner.”
Daniels was recruited as a cornerback out of South Broward High School in 2001. And when he arrived at LSU, he played cornerback.
He received his first action of his career as a true freshman in the Southeastern Conference Championship game against Tennessee in 2001. An injury to Randall Gay forced Daniels into action. That playing time forced him to give up a redshirt year. But Daniels made an impact, breaking up two passes in the game and helping the Tigers upset the Vols and advance to the Sugar Bowl.
He answered the call of the coaching staff that year, and he continues to do so this year.
Daniels’ sophomore season was nagged by injuries as he only saw action in five games.
When it seemed apparent the safety position was going to be a concern in 2003, Daniels was moved to free safety. Then true freshman LaRon Landry stepped up and was able to take over the starting free safety position before the Mississippi State win, allowing Daniels to move back to corner.
“My mindset going into the (MSU) game was just to do the best that I could do,” Daniels said. “This was my first game starting at corner and coach and them were telling me they weren’t expecting too much out of me so go ahead and go in there with a clear mind and everything will work out for you.”
It is probably difficult for Daniels to keep a clear mind, especially when he is required to play more than one position in a game. He had to do just that in the Georgia game, when cornerback Corey Webster came out to receive an IV.
“It makes it tougher when I’m rotating from position to position and trying to get into my mind what exactly I’ve got to do,” Daniels said. “Sometimes I get confused, but overall it’s all right.”
Daniels’ statistics through five games speaks volumes why Saban trusts him at any position in the defensive backfield. He has recorded 24 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, including one he returned 48 yards for a touchdown against Mississippi State, eight pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Against the Bulldogs alone, he had six tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception return for a touchdown, three pass breakups and a sack.
“Travis played a really good game,” Saban said. “He played a good game last week at safety. Travis played well, but [LaRon] Landry’s development let us move Travis back to cornerback.”
Saban said he was not disappointed with Ronnie Prude’s play at corner as a starter, but with Randall Gay still not at 100 percent, he thought Daniels at corner gave LSU the best shot at being successful.
“We just felt like with Randall Gay out and not being able to jam receivers that our best two corners have been Corey Webster and Travis Daniels,” Saban said. “We just weren’t able to play [Daniels at corner before Mississippi State] because we needed him at safety.”
Receiver Michael Clayton said the team has supreme confidence in Daniels because he takes care of business.
“He’s one of the most physical corners out there,” Clayton said. “The guy makes me better and he makes all the other receivers better. I have no doubt in him coming out there and making plays. You don’t have to worry about him. You know he’s going to do his job.”
Injury Update
The LSU sports information office announced running back Shyrone Carey and strong safety Jack Hunt both suffered sprained medial collateral ligaments in Saturday’s win over Mississippi State.
Carey sprained his left MCL while Hunt sprained his right.
Neither injury will require surgery, and both players will sit out of practice this week and be re-evaluated at the beginning of next week.
Florida Game Moved
LSU’s next game against Florida on Oct. 11 in Tiger Stadium has been moved to 2:30 p.m. to accommodate CBS television, according to the Southeastern Conference.
The game will be broadcast to a national audience and is the Tigers’ second appearance on CBS this year after defeating Georgia 17-10 on CBS on Sept. 20.