It’s a reputation that continues to build on itself.

LSU is Defensive Back University.

The players know it, and they’re proud of it.

Recruits know it, too.

Nigel Knott, a four-star class of 2016 cornerback from Mississippi, recently told NOLA.com that his offer from LSU “means a lot, simply because you know it’s DBU.”

Even opponents that LSU hasn’t seen on the field in 30 years, like Baylor receiver Chris Platt, know it.

In recent years, DBU’s alumni have been among the best in the game. Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid, Morris Claiborne and Tharold Simon are all recent products of the Tigers’ defensive back-producing machine, all playing roles in the NFL these days. They were preceded by names like LaRon Landry, Corey Webster and Mark Roman. Jalen Collins will join their ranks as a high NFL draft pick this spring.

To be sure, John Chavis has helped develop LSU’s most recent touted recruits into stars in the secondary. He took advantage of the long, athletic players LSU brought in and kept them on the field in all situations, allowing them to cover, tackle and turn into all-around menaces. DBU didn’t start with Chavis, though, and it certainly won’t end with him.

In the 2015 class alone, which was wrapped up with Chavis in College Station, LSU brought in a bushel of top-flight defensive backs. Kevin Toliver, already on campus as an early enrollee, was one of the top cornerback recruits in the nation and could challenge for a starting role as a freshman. He’s joined by Donte Jackson, a New Orleans native and a playmaker in all three phases, as well as Xavier Lewis and Jeremy Cutrer.

And the 2016 class? It’s already off to a flying start, with two defensive back commits in the early days of 2015. One of them is Saivion Smith, the top-ranked cornerback in the class.

Credit goes in part to Corey Raymond, LSU’s defensive backs coach since 2012 and a former Tigers defensive back himself, for keeping the tradition going. He’s had a hand in recruiting all of LSU’s touted defensive backs the last several years, from Tre’Davious White and Jamal Adams to the aforementioned players from this and next year’s class.

Thanks to all that incoming talent, LSU can weather personnel losses unlike any team in the nation. How many schools could lose three opening day starters from a year ago and head into the next season with the most highly regarded secondary in the conference? LSU is down Collins, Ronald Martin and Rashard Robinson from a year ago, but the Tigers head into spring ball even more loaded, thanks to Jalen Mills’ decision to return for his senior year, the arrival of Toliver, the emergence of Adams and Dwayne Thomas’ return to health.

It helps that LSU’s secondary gets to work against an offense that consistently brings in top-flight talent at wide receiver, too. When DBU steps on the field on Saturdays, it won’t be facing many SEC schools with a more talented receiving corps.

LSU’s reputation in the secondary precedes the school. Whether they’re going into recruits’ living rooms or shutting down the best passing offenses in the country, everyone knows it.

Throw on DBU at your own peril.