Banking off momentum established a few weeks earlier following a win over Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship, Nick Saban had visions of a dynasty in mind when he formed LSU’s 2004 recruiting class, arguably the SEC’s best ever from a defensive line talent standpoint.

Saban lasted one more season in Baton Rouge before joining the Miami Dolphins, but left Les Miles with a nucleus of top-notch players to kick-start a dominant run — 34 wins in three years — that ended with the program’s third national title in 2007.

An incredible six defensive linemen — out of seven to sign the dotted from the 2004 class — became members of an NFL roster in the future including high draft picks Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson and Claude Wroten.

A few were starters on Miles’ national championship team, listening to Bo Pelini as the defensive coordinator who directed a unit that finished second in the SEC in sacks (37), first in takeaways (38) and first in passes defended (82).

LSU’s 2004 defensive line signings

  • DT, Glenn Dorsey: 2-time All-American, SEC Def. POTY, first-round draft pick
  • DE, Tyson Jackson: 2-time All-SEC, first-round draft pick
  • DT, Claude Wroten: 2-time All-SEC, third-round draft pick
  • DE, Tremaine Johnson: signed as an undrafted free agent
  • DT, Marlon Favorite: signed as an undrafted free agent
  • DE, Charles Alexander: signed as an undrafted free agent
  • DE, Tim Washington: Transferred to App. St. as a RS-soph.

Dorsey was this group’s torchbearer, a consensus All-American selection both seasons he started for the Tigers. He is the only player in program history to sweep national postseason awards — Lombardi, Outland, Lott and Nagurski — as college football’s best interior lineman in 2007.

Dorsey, who finished ninth in Heisman voting, was also voted SEC Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts following a 69-tackle and seven-sack campaign.

One of three two-time all-conference players from the class, Jackson started 38 games during his career with 53 appearances and finished with 18.5 sacks and 27 tackles-for-losses.

Wroten, a JUCO transfer from Mississippi Delta Community College, was an immediate impact player for the Tigers and enjoyed two dominant seasons. A first-team All-American in 2005, Wroten managed 93 tackles, 12 sacks and 22.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage over 25 career games.

The only ‘bust’ within LSU’s 2004 defensive line class was Tim Washington, a four-star pass rusher out of Texas. Washington played in nine games over two seasons after redshirting as a true freshman and eentually transferred to Appalachian State in 2006.