How deep is LSU in the secondary?

Dwayne Thomas had a great spring for LSU, particularly when he played the role of the nickel back in the spring game, and he started nine games last year. Yet, once highly regarded sophomore Donte Jackson returns (we presume) in August from an academics issue that sidelined him in the spring, it’ll be hard for LSU to find a way to get Thomas on the field.

With projected starting cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Kevin Toliver back and Jackson seemingly the man for the nickel slot, Thomas could end up being the best dime back since Ron Brooks played that role for the Tigers before getting drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.

But here’s the question with all that depth: Are any of the talented future NFL players better than just “pretty good?”

Where’s the lock-down corner like Patrick Peterson? Or the all-around playmaker like Tyrann Mathieu? One can make the case that LSU did not have that level of player last season.

And one can certainly make the case that for the Tigers to reach their 2016 goals, one of those pretty good players will need to become dominant.

2015 Rotation

Starters (Returning players in bold): SS Jamal Adams (67 tackles, 5 TFLs, 4 interceptons), FS Rickey Jefferson (36 tackles, 1 interception), S Jalen Mills (30 tackles in 7 games, missed 5 with injury), CB Tre’Davious White (44 tackles, 7 pass breakups), CB Kevin Toliver (35 tackles, 1 interception). Reserves: S Corey Thompson (15 tackles), CB Dwayne Thomas (34 tackles and 9 starts at nickel back).

Projected 2016 Rotation

Starters: SS Jamal Adams (Sr.); FS Rickey Jefferson (Sr. ); CB Tre’Davious White (Sr.); CB Kevin Toliver (So.). Reserves: CB Donte Jackson (likely nickel or dime starter); CB Dwayne Thomas (likely nickel or dime starter); CB Ed Paris (Jr.); S Xavier Lewis (RS-Fr.); CB Saivion Smith (Fr.); CB Kristian Fulton (Fr.); S John Battle (Jr.); S Eric Monroe (Fr.); S Cameron Lewis (Fr.); CB Andraez Williams (Fr.).

Five Issues to Watch

  1. How do you fit them all?: Few will question the talent “DBU” has recruited to positions that, in the past, have been manned by the likes of Peterson, Mathieu, LaRon Landry and many other eventual NFL stars. The challenge is finding the right combination. Is Jackson ready to play more as a nickel back or do the Tigers go back to Thomas? Is Jefferson a sure-bet starter at safety? Freshmen like Smith and Fulton have the talent to contribute immediately, but is there room?
  2. Will White, Adams take the next step?: White had a disappointing junior year, then opted to stay in school for his senior year. It was always presumed he would become a dominant cornerback for the Tigers, but after a junior year where he had no interceptions and was sometimes victimized by bigger receivers, is he ready to take the next step? Similarly, Adams was very good last season, but can he become a dominant force?
  3. Super sophs?: Toliver and Jackson saw plenty of playing time as true freshmen after coming out of high school as highly touted recruits. Will they take that next step this year to college football stardom? Many think Toliver has all the tools to be a dominant force. Jackson has to find his role and avoid trouble like the academic issues that kept him out of spring.
  4. Freshmen contributors?: Smith, Fulton and Eric Monroe were all considered among the top five players at their positions in the 2016 recruiting class. However, with White returning to school to form a veteran nucleus that includes four seniors, is this a year where LSU finally redshirts some of its young studs? Probably not, but finding roles in such a deep group could be a challenge for this recruiting class.
  5. How will they scheme?: To get talented DBs on the field, former defensive coordinator John Chavis devised his “Mustang” six-defensive back scheme, which put speed on the field and allowed him to take advantage of his most talent-rich positions. It’s hard to imagine new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda not having some version of that scheme to take advantage of all the talent LSU annually accumulates in the secondary. Yet in a spring where he kept things basic, Aranda kept us guessing on how exactly he’ll ride his defensive back horses. Will it be a Mustang package or something like it?