Editor’s note: Saturday Down South has selected an all-decade offensive and defensive team for all 14 SEC programs. Our series stays in the SEC West with LSU. Coming Friday: Mississippi State.

LSU began the decade by building a reputation as having one of the best defenses in the country.

They’re ending it with a somewhat shakier defense, but one that has been good enough for the Tigers to be on schedule to reach the CFP for the first time.

Along the way LSU went to a bowl game every season, won the 2011 SEC championship and played in the BCS title game that season.

Les Miles hung his hat on the defense and it served him well during the 2nd-most successful coaching tenure in Tigers history.

The defensive play has mostly remained at a high level under Ed Oreron, who replaced Miles after a 2-2 start in 2016.

LSU has a 100-28 overall record and a 5-4 record in the post-season during this decade. The Tigers have had 36 defensive players taken in the NFL Draft this decade, with more on the way.

Here’s a look as LSU’s all-decade team on defense for 2010-2019:

DL: Sam Montgomery

He was a prolific pass rusher for 2 seasons, providing a big-play ability to one of the most talented defensive lines in school history.

Backup: Barkevious Mingo

He was a late bloomer but emerged as an unusually fast pass rusher. He provided an effective complement to Montgomery and wound up as a 1st-round pick in 2013.

DL: Michael Brockers

He was perhaps the most under-appreciated player in the elite defensive line in 2011. His responsibilities weren’t conducive to a lot of stats, but he was one of the most effective defensive linemen in the country. NFL teams certainly noticed. Brockers was a 1st-round pick in 2012.

Backup: Davon Godchaux

He wasn’t as decorated as some of his contemporaries, but he was among the Tigers’ leading tacklers in 3 consecutive seasons.

DL: Arden Key

He set the LSU record for sacks in a season with 12 before injuries slowed him down later in his college career.

Backup: Rashard Lawrence

He has been limited by injuries, but when he has played he has been productive and a leader.

LB: Devin White

He was one of the most productive tacklers in school history and the only Tiger to win the Butkus Award. He was quite simply one of the best defensive players in LSU history. He was the No. 5 overall pick in 2019, matching Patrick Peterson for the highest pick among defenders this decade.

Backup: Kendell Beckwith

He was the No. 2 tackler on the team for 3 consecutive seasons.

LB: Kevin Minter

He bided his time behind older, more productive players. Then he broke out with a 130-tackle season and parlayed that into a 2nd-round draft pick in 2013.

Backup: Kwon Alexander

He was slowed by injury early in his career, then had 2 very productive seasons, leading the team in tackles in his last season.

LB: Lamin Barrow

He had one of the best 2-year runs of any linebacker in a long time, finishing 2nd then 1st in tackles.

Backup: Kelvin Sheppard

He set the tone for outstanding linebacker play throughout the decade by leading LSU in tackles in 2010.

CB: Morris Claiborne

He didn’t have a catchy nickname or as many individual awards as other Tigers defensive backs. But he was one of the very best defensive players LSU had during this decade and the No. 6 pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Backup: Donte Jackson

He was a speedster whose presence discouraged opponents from throwing to his side of the field.

CB: Patrick Peterson

More so than perhaps anyone else, he’s responsible for LSU feeling it deserves to call itself DBU. Peterson was one of the best defensive players in Tigers history and the No. 5 pick of the 2011 draft.

Backup: Greedy Williams

When opponents saw this freshman lined up on the opposite side from Jackson, they decided to throw his way instead. He made them pay with 6 interceptions.

CB: Tyrann Mathieu

He became known as the Honey Badger because his rare ability to take the ball away and make dynamic plays. Mathieu was one of the most dynamic players ever to play any position at LSU.

Backup: Jalen Mills

He dealt with injury early in his career, but was a very good defender at cornerback and safety.

S: Jamal Adams

His exceptional play demonstrated that DBU turned out top-flight, tough safeties and not just flashy cornerbacks. He also was a No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft (2017).

Backup: Eric Reid

He was a smart, tough leader on the back end of some of the Tigers’ top defenses of the decade.

S: Grant Delpit

He was a unanimous All-American and one of the best players in college football in 2018. He has been slowed by injury this season, but he’s still a candidate for top-level post-season honors. He could become the latest Tiger defender taken in the 1st round.

Backup: Brandon Taylor

There were several bigger names lined up around him, but he was the glue to the Tigers secondary during his tenure.

P: Brad Wing

The Australian Rules Football product was a rare weapon for the Tigers special teams for 2 seasons.

Backup: Jamie Keehn

Keehn succeeded his fellow Aussie was very good for 4 seasons.