starters for next year... I am on flu meds right now, so if there are any typos or odd statements, I apologize. QB At this point you have to put a question mark here. Flynn has shown that he can play and lead this team. Perrilloux is undeniable a great athlete, but can he take the top spot? Russell is the most experienced guy but many people question his decision making. It has been reported several places that Russell's wrist, and not his shoulder, is in bad shape and may cause him to sit out the spring. This and rumors of grade troubles could mean yet another QB race. All things even, I like Flynn here. Perrilloux is a real wild card here because we really don't know what kind of QB he will be as far as decision making goes, but we do know that he is the most athletic player of the bunch. Flynn, while not as athletic as Perrilloux, has enough athleticism to make him dangerous on the ground and, thus far, he seems to make great decision and remains cool in the pocket. He seems to have an equal, if not better, grip on the Tiger's offensive scheme. The Matt Mauck comparisons seem more and more accurate. The x-factor for the QB race is Jimbo Fisher. If he takes a HC job somewhere, Miles will need to bring in a new OC. With a new offense installed, it really puts all of the QBs on equal footing as far as knowing the offense goes. If this happens I have to give the nod to Ryan Perrilloux. RB Alley Broussard is obviously going to be the man if he can come back from his injury. The problem is that many times a player with a knee injury can take more than a year to get back to their previous level of play, if they ever get back there at all. If Broussard isn't 100%, then its a toss up. Vincent just is not the runningback that he was two years ago. I believe that one of the young guys; Antonio Robinson, R. J. Jackson, Richard Murphy, Charles Scott, or Steven Korte (though I think he will be a fullback or linebacker) will need to step up and be a productive #2, if not a #1. Keiland Williams could be the wildcard here. If he chooses LSU, I think he will come in and play right away. At fullback, its Hester's job. Shawn Jordan and Steven Korte will back him up and this position will be solid just as its been in recent years. TE At the present time, its looks like this is Keith Zinger's spot to lose. Because Mile's likes to run a two tightend set so much, it will be important to have a second TE who can both block and catch. Mit Cole looks like a decent player, but I believe that Richard Dickson will come in and take that second spot. I believe that he can be a real playmaker for this offense. WR Once again, this position SHOULD be the strength of the LSU offense. With Craig Davis, Dwayne Bowe, Early Doucet and Xavier Carter all returning, and Brandon LaFell and London Crawford (at least) coming in, this team should be unrivaled in speed and size at the WR position. The only question mark is Will anyone catch the damn ball? OL Ryan Miller looks like he will be a good one at center, if he comes back o.k. from his injury. Will Arnold and Brett Helms will be solid at right and left guard. Brian Johnson seems to be a lock at right tackle, but left tackle is a question. We don't really know what Cirion Black is going to do. Herman Johnson has the size, but the quick feet, to play tackle, so he will be competing for one of the guard spots. Peter Dyakowski is a little undersized and inexperienced to take the LT position. Will be interesting to see how this one comes out. You need someone with really good skills to protect the QB's blindside. DE Chase Pittman is really the only lock at DE. Ryan Willis has done really well in a backup role this year, but there is alot of highly athletic players coming off of redshirts and coming in as freshmen. Ricky Jean Francois is supposedly a freak of nature and has reportedly put on alot of musle since coming to LSU. In the last 3 years LSU has recruited 5 four star, and 4 three star DEs, leaving this position stacked. Expect this year's crop to redshirt, and at least one player, possible Al Jones, to move to LB or even TE. DT Many thought that losing Chad Lavalais a couple years ago left this position weak. We know now that they were wrong. In my opinion LSU will once again reload at defensive tackle. Glenn Dorsey is nearly identical in size and skill to Kyle Williams, and seems to have a similar motor. Marlon Favorite has been quiet but I believe his is due for a breakout year. Carnell Stewart has adequate size to be a run stuffer up the middle. Al Woods looks like he is going to be a 3 and out real deal for LSU. Expect him to come in and play, if not start, as a freshman. LB In recent years this seems to have been the position that has been the biggest question mark for LSU. Once again, LSU does not have three definate starters and seems to lack depth at a position that is very important to a team that blitzes more often than not. We all know that Ali Highsmith is the man. Is he big enough to make the move to the Mike position that has been the norm for the top LB on the Tiger defense? I think that job may go to Luke Sanders, though his inexperience may make him a bad fit here. Darry Beckwith has gotten praise all year, but, one again, he has no experience, having taken a redshirt this year. LSU has at least 4 linebackers coming in next year as freshmen (probably more with Giddens and Clemons being looked at as OLBs). Some of these guys will have to step in an play as a backup, and one may have to come in as a starter should one of the older guys go down. Of the freshmen LBs, only Sheppard and Cutrera have the size to play right away. Derrick Odom is said to be up to 205, but he will need at least another 10 pounds by next fall to play. CB I'm really excited about this position for next year. I think Jonathon Zenon is going to be mentioned with names like Tori James and Corey Webster as one of LSU's best cornerbacks. We heard less and less of Chevis Jackson as the season dragged on, but he should come back next year as a solid starter. Sammy Joseph was supposed to come in and start right away for LSU, but I've rarely seen him on the field. Hopefully he can step in next year and compete for the nickel spot and possibly a starting position. Keron Gordon has been a dependable, though not spectatular, backup, and Jeffery Jack should compete for time this spring. LSU has (at least) 3 very good DB's coming in next year. Whichever one of these guy's sets himself apart will avoid a redshirt next year and compete for the dime or nickel position. S Will LaRon return? I don't think he will and that is probably the right decision for him. Jessie Daniels will come back and lead the defense from the Strong Safety position, and his speed is actually good enough to make the move to Free Safety. Craig Steltz has gotten some time at SS this season with Daniels banged up, but has been questionable in coverage. I just do not believe that he has the quick step to break on the deep ball. If Jessie Daniels stays at SS, look for Chris Hawkins to get a real look at FS. The safety positions are positions for athletes. Many other position players can make the move to safety. Look for a CB or RB to make the move to safety and compete for one of the top spots and to serve as a backup. K/P More of the same. Chris Jackson should continue to handle the punting and long range field goal duties, while Colt David handles the short field goals and extra points. If David can get a little more power behind his kicks, he could easily become the full time placekicker, allowing Jackson to concentrate on punting and kickoffs. Jackson should have been All-SEC this year as a punter and he should be in the running next year as well. Returner With long time returner Skyler Green going on to the NFL, this is a position that is really up for grabs. Xavier Carter seems to be everyones favorite, but I have doubts about his quickness and decision making. His raw speed is mind-blowing and that is great on kickoff returns, but for punt returns, its quick moves and a fast first step that break things wide open, and I just am not buying Carter for punt returns. This is where Trindon Holiday comes in. His lack of size will keep him from lining up anywhere other than the slot. Sound familiar? Yeah, this guy is the next Skyler Green as far as punt returns go. Look for the coaches to work with him all spring and summer on his punt catching.
Good assessment, I'll only add that I believe that Hester will play at tailback if Broussard is not 100%. He's too good an athlete to leave at a well-stocked fullback position if we are weak at tailback.
Great read. One thing to point out is that Beckwith did not take a redshirt this year. In fact he was in on all sorts of plays towards the end of the Peach Bowl and looked fantastic out there. I think he will be a big playmaker next year.
Yes, Beckwith got PT this year and might be starting next year. As for OL, don't forget about the transfer from Toledo. I don't know his OL position, but supposedly he is doing well. Also, don't forget about Kyle Anderson at TE. He could turn out real good. I heard Hanagriff say don't be surprised to see a DL switch to OL in the spring (someone like Carnell Stewart who isn't cutting it). Don't forget if Laron leaves, we have a real good shot at landing Reshad Jones who could play right away. Kirston Pittman will be back and should be at least in the 2 deep at DE.
Very inciteful. We may be a little short-handed on the offensive line. I have been thinking if we need help there next year, Miles may move one or two of his defensive line types to the OL.
Excuse. That should be spelled insightful. At any rate, if Francois does not have a starting position at defense, perhaps a move to offense might be best for him. Just a thought.
Jacob Cutrera will be practicing with the team in the Spring and I believe he has a shot at starting next year. He graduates from Acadiana on January 11, 2006.
