It’s been well documented that LSU is losing a ton of elite talent to the NFL this offseason, which doesn’t even count losing passing game coordinator Joe Brady to the Carolina Panthers.

While there is a ton of production on the field that needs to be replaced next season in Baton Rouge, long before that can happen, the Tigers need leaders to emerge with the likes of Joe Burrow, Lloyd Cushenberry, K’Lavon Chaisson and a host of others no longer on the team looking ahead to the 2020 season.

With that in mind, which players have impressed Ed Orgeron the most with their emergence as the team’s new leaders? Orgeron was asked that question during a recent appearance on 104.5 FM ESPN Baton Rouge program “Off The Bench” on Tuesday.

“You know, I gotta say, Dare Rosenthal on the offensive line, just talking to Coach [James] Greg and the things that he’s doing. He’s doing a great job there,” Orgeron said. “On defense, Damone Clark, those guys… Marcel Brooks, obviously our corners, Derek Stingley. Those guys are gonna work their tails off.

“At safety, you got JaCoby and getting Todd Harris back is going to really, really help us.”

Given the loss of the majority of spring practice for the Tigers and the fact so many players are away from campus, leadership will be more important than ever for a team looking to repeat as SEC and national championships next season.

Every time the Tigers take the field next season, they will take the field with a target on their back. It’s up to the team’s new leadership to get that point across this offseason and do everything they can to have their teammates ready to go once the season arrives — whenever that may be.