After luring defensive coordinator Dave Aranda from Wisconsin this offseason, many are pencilling in LSU to have one of the finest defenses in the entire country this season. While that may be the case regardless, the one area of concern is on the defensive line – and more specifically at nose tackle.

6-foot-5, 307-pound senior Christian LaCouture and 6-foot-4,293-pound junior Davon Godchaux are expected to see the majority of snaps on the inside but to fully utilize Aranda’s defense when the team is in a 3-4 alignment, the Tigers need a bigger body to man the nose tackle position. That’s where former 6-foot-3, 345-pound Tiger defensive lineman Travonte Valentine comes in.

Valentine was booted from LSU last summer for reportedly failing multiple drug tests as well as poor academic performance.  Before he ran into trouble, Valentine was one of the nation’s top prospect on the defensive line in 2014 and was named a U.S. Army All-American.

After spending time at two junior colleges, Valentine is close to making his return to LSU. According to Ross Dellenger of The Advocate, the SEC league office has cleared Valentine’s return to the school as long as he meets academic requirements. If Valentine can complete 13 hours of coursework over the summer, he will be eligible to play for LSU this season.

A huge piece of the national championship puzzle may have just reentered the frame for LSU, all he has to do is produce in the classroom first and Valentine may produce another title for Les Miles and the Tigers in 2016.