The LSU defense is primed for another big season, and the emergence of junior linebacker Kendell Beckwith is a big reason why.

The Tigers return seven starters from a defense that ranked fifth in the nation in points allowed (17.5) and ninth in yards allowed (316.8). When LSU lines up against McNeese State on Sept. 5, Beckwith should be right in the middle of things directing traffic.

“I think Kendell Beckwith is going to be a bear inside,” LSU coach Les Miles said following the Tigers spring game. “He is a big, strong and fast man. I think he is going to have a great fall.”

Though he didn’t claim the starter spot at middle linebacker until midway through last season, Beckwith finished his sophomore season ranked second on the team in total tackles (77) and tied for second with 7.5 tackles for loss.

It became clear that Beckwith was becoming more comfortable with his role as the season went along, as he recorded nine or more tackles in three of LSU’s final six games.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and 245-pounds, Beckwith is an imposing physical presence. But the former defensive end has also flashed plenty of quickness to get from sideline to sideline.

It may be unfair to draw comparisons to former LSU middle linebacker Kevin Minter, who earn earned All-America honors playing the same position for the Tigers in 2012, but there are some similarities.

Aside from size (Minter is listed as 6-foot-1, 245 pounds), Minter’s sophomore season in 2011 also provided hints of a breakout. He, too, finished his sophomore year strong with 28 tackles over his final five games. Minter totaled 61 tackles while continuing to earn the trust of the coaching staff at one of the team’s most challenging positions.

But what Minter was able to do the next season is a hard act for Beckwith to follow. Developing into one of the nation’s top defensive playmakers, Minter tallied 130 tackles in his junior season on the way to becoming the second-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals.

It remains to be seen if Beckwith has that type of ceiling to his game, but it will certainly be fun to watch and find out.