By Hunt Palmer
Brian Kelly bemoaned LSU’s safety play routinely in 2024.
He and the LSU coaching staff didn’t feel like the production from LSU’s last line of defense was adequate. Only Vanderbilt and Texas A&M allowed more 20+ yard runs among SEC teams, and LSU finished with a conference worst six rushes allowed of 40 or more yards.
Not all of that is on the safeties, but it emblematic of the underlying issues.
Major Burns, Sage Ryan, and Kylin Jackson have moved on. Jardin Gilbert returns after starting nine games and playing through a shoulder injury.
Also back are Dashawn Spears and Joel Rogers, neither of whom saw much play after the fourth game of the season.
“Nobody was harder on Dashawn Spears last year than me, and it’s starting to pay off,” LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker said Thursday. “The dude is making a ton of plays out there.”
During Saturday’s practice, Spears was excellent in coverage during one-on-one routes. He blanketed senior tight end transfer Bauer Sharp on one rep that resulted in a deflection.
With Gilbert sidelined due to the shoulder injury, Spears has gotten plenty of action.
Joining him in at safety for a portion of that has been Javien Toviano, the third-year defensive back who has struggled to find a true position at LSU.
“Toviano, to me, from a coaching standpoint, I think he’s finally settled into what he really is,” Baker said. “We had him at corner. We had him at nickel. I think he’s a safety. He’s tackled outstanding. He’s had a really good spring.”
Rogers redshirted last season, playing in just two games. He’s smaller than Spears but has turned some heads through two weeks of spring ball.
LSU did want to be sure talent was brought in through the portal, as well. North Carolina State transfer Tamarcus Cooley fit the profile they were looking for.
“He’s got good speed in the back end for us, and he’s played a lot of football,” Baker said.
Safeties coach Jake Olson was brought over from Missouri with Baker when Baker was named defensive coordinator. Though 2024 was a bumpy ride, Baker is confident things are progressing the way he had envisioned.
“I think Coach Olson has done a great job,” Baker said. “He’s stuck with it. The kids have stuck with the process. And it takes time. I always say, it’s like instant oatmeal—they want instant player. They want to pour the water and then mix it up, boom, here it comes. It’s not always that simple. Especially at this level and especially what we ask our safeties to do.”
“I’m really proud of that room. I think they’re coming along.”
