Michael Bacigalupi
By Hunt Palmer
You can hear it in the players’ voices.
This LSU defense is not only playing great, they’re having fun. The unit has only allowed three touchdowns on the season, ranks third in the nation in red zone drives attempted and second in interceptions.
Player after player has commented on the brotherhood, camaraderie and cohesiveness that has been cultivated over the last nine months.
“It’s amazing,” said sophomore linebacker Davhon Keys. “We have a lot of energy no matter what we’re doing. We could be doing community service, and you’ll see us dancing around, having fun, singing together, going out to eat together. It’s real high energy all the time no matter what we’re doing. And it‘s so much fun.”
Two years ago wasn’t a lot of fun for Tiger defenders.
LSU finished 108th in the country in total defense and allowed more points than every team in the SEC outside of Vanderbilt. Traditionally, that’s not the company you’d like to keep.
Jacobian Guillory and Whit Weeks played roles in that defense and are now central parts of the resurgence of elite defense in Baton Rouge. Guillory was hurt in game two last season. Weeks went out in the bowl game.
Both injuries feel like distant memories now.
“First of all, it’s so fun playing with those dudes,” Weeks said. “Tank (Guillory), him coming back from injury, I’m so glad. He’s one of the most fun dudes to play with out there. He’s always bringing energy out there. I know y’all see it. And also, he’s slinging offensive linemen around out every single play.”
Guillory and the deep, talented LSU front has controlled the line of scrimmage early which has allowed the linebackers to play free and…have fun.
“It makes it so much easier,” Keys said. “They’re always getting penetration. They’re always taking double teams. Instead of worrying about where the linemen are, I’m running through open gaps.”
Keys leads the Tigers in tackles after three weeks. Whit’s brother West is just behind him. They’re running free in pursuit of ball carriers and on blitzes drawn up by position coach and defensive coordinator Blake Baker.
“(The blitzes) confuse the quarterback,” Keys said. “There’s a lot of moving parts. There’s a lot of showing one thing and then going to another. Sometimes you’ll see a safety from 15 yards deep he’s coming up and he’s blitzing. You never know what to expect. It makes the quarterback have to double tap the ball, doesn’t know where he’s throwing, and it makes the blitz wide open.”
As the linebackers wreck opposing offenses around the line of scrimmage, the secondary has blanketed opposing pass catchers. Their six interceptions rank second nationally, and opponents have only produced one pass play of over 30 yards.
“I don’t get to see it in-game, but watching the film, it’s really impressive,” Keys said. “It’s something you really don’t see. You see four DBs all doing their job, all locking down their part of the field, and it just amazes you. That’s why we’re able to make so many plays. It’s part because of them. The quarterback has nowhere to go.”
Three levels, all working in unison. It’s been a remarkably effective effort thus far. The buzz around the defense in camp has come to fruition.
The only problem appears to be getting everyone to the field. With nearly two dozen players eager to play and produce, some players, like Keys, are playing as reserves.
It hasn’t been an issue.
“We’re all just unselfish,” Keys said. “We knew there was going to be a lot of competition, even in the offseason. We all knew what our ultimate goal was, and that’s winning a championship. Unfortunately, you can only have 11 guys on the field. You’ve just got to be ready for when your number’s called.”
Keys has done that to lead the team in tackles. Dashawn Spears used his nine snaps to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week against Florida.
“It’s just making the most of my opportunity,” Spears said. “Doing whatever Coach Baker wants from me. If that’s two snaps, three snaps, nine snaps, I’ll do it. I’ll do my job to the fullest.”
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