Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Hunt Palmer
College football is experiencing a renaissance.
Defenses have emerged out of a period of high-flying basketball on grass. Point production is down, and championship football can be played by swarming to the football instead of just lighting up the scoreboard.
I think LSU is ready to join the party.
In 2023 and 2024, scoring dipped to lows not seen since 2010. I think everyone in Louisiana recalls that period fondly. At least most of it.
The Tiger teams that played for titles in 2003, 2007 and 2011 were spearheaded by nasty defenses packed with All-SEC players and future pros. LSU has produced three total first and second round picks on defense in the last five drafts.
LSU churned out six combined in the 2012 and 2013 drafts. That should be the standard. And it’s slipped.
After watching the LSU defense in fall camp, my suspicion is that the rebirth may be here. The players share my thoughts.
“Our goal is just to wreak havoc,” said linebacker Whit Weeks. “Havoc for us is TFLs, turnovers and sacks. We just want to lead the country in havoc rate. Make big plays, get them behind the chains. That’s what our goal is. The reason I love this defense is Coach Baker, going into year two of him, he feels so much more comfortable with us. We feel way more comfortable with him, and it’s just so much fun being around these guys.”
This Tiger unit looks fast, physical and deep. Those three are essentials for dominant defense.
Where last season LSU was patching together a defensive interior with Gio Paez, Paris Shand and Ahmad Breaux, three converted ends moving inside to tackle. That rotation is now four deep with talented upperclassmen. Three power conference ends have entered the fold to join sophomore Gabriel Reliford. Now the edge is four deep, too.
A clear weakness has morphed into a strength over the offseason. That evolution has been abundantly clear to those watching practice. The linebackers behind it have had a front row view.
“We’ve got a lot of length and a lot of speed,” said Harold Perkins. “We’ve got (Bernard Gooden) in the middle. He’s a monster, him and (Jacobian Guillory). They make our jobs, me being at star and Whit and West being at Mike-Will, I’m pretty sure they make all our jobs easier just getting off the ball. It’ll be good getting that push up front. It’ll be great.”
Perkins and Weeks form the most proven level of the Tiger defense with their elite speed and track record of productivity. Perkins has been all over the field in August, and Weeks is destined for another 120 tackles in what will be his final season.
Then there’s the secondary, a group that has grossly underperformed the LSU standard for two seasons. The guy who has seen them every day feels like the standard is returning to DBU.
“I think there’s just so much confidence and swagger around the building that it just leads to this feeling that it used to be like I can remember as a freshman when Derek Stingley was out there,” said starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. “That’s how it used to feel.”
LSU doesn’t have Stingley, but there is a five-star freshman pushing for playing time. The veterans holding DJ Pickett off have stepped up in camp. Media has been present for three Mansoor Delane interceptions. PJ Woodland seems to always get his hands on the ball, and Ashton Stamps had his best camp.
The loss of AJ Haulcy in the first half hurts LSU on Saturday night. That’s unquestionable. His return after intermission will also be a boon. Haulcy is a proven tackler as a spot LSU struggled to tackle from a season ago. He and Tamarcus Cooley form a safety duo that should be lightyears better than what LSU deployed in 2023.
Getting ball carrier to the ground hasn’t been an issue for this Tiger team in August. In fact, quite the opposite.
“Coach Baker has told us that so far this camp, this has been the best tackling defense statistically that he’s ever been a part of,” Weeks said. “That’s what you want out of a defense is being able to tackle.”
My assertion is that LSU offense is going to go through some dry spells. The running game could struggle again behind this offensive line, and that could eventually compromise pass protection. After shouldering the load for the program for two seasons, the offense is going to play second fiddle this year to a defense that is going to usher LSU back into national relevance.
In an era that has rewarded exceptional defense, LSU’s unit is ready to compete. That will manifest itself Saturday night in one of the most hostile environments in college football.
Expect disruptive pass rush, stout run defense and a secondary ready to contest catches. Clemson will make plays. There’s far too much talent in orange for that group to go silently. But LSU is going to make it tough.
It’ll be tough on opposing offenses all year. That’s what I believe to be a glimpse into the future while recalling LSU’s championship past.
“LSU used to feel like a confident swaggy football team,” Nussmeier said. “You’re starting to see that again.”
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