LSU was the final team to go thru the ringer that is the SEC Media Days on Monday as Ed Orgeron was joined by Devin White, Rashard Lawrence and Foster Moreau wrapped up the first day of the event from Atlanta.
Here are some highlights of the quotes provided by the players on LSU’s roster:
Senior tight end Foster Moreau
On Coach Ensminger and the offense…
“It’s going to be an exciting offense. I think two years ago when he was an interim [coach], I think we got the ball to 11 different guys on passing situations under Coach Ensminger, and that’s just not something you see every day. We are able to do a bunch of different things under Coach Ensminger, but the thing I like most about him is he is one of the best in gameplay callers I’ve ever been around. He calls it how he sees it, and he always has done a great job.”
On Joe Barrow and the quarterback situation …
“I’ve seen some experience and some confidence and a different idea of how to play the quarterback position. He’s really driven the competition this summer, and he’s been a hot name on everyone’s mind. There’s almost not a time that I don’t walk in and see a different quarterback throwing in the indoor on their off time, and he really brings competition. He brings competition to the table, because there’s really nothing else that has happened that is too detrimental to the quarterbacks. I’m really happy to see how our quarterback situation works out myself. I’m just as in the dark as you guys. I love our quarterbacks, and I think whoever lines up behind our offensive line will do a great job.”
On where his confidence lies with so much uncertainty in the offense this season…
“It lies with the offensive line. These past few years we’ve had incredible players play on the offensive line, and no one really talks about it. Those guys are so prideful, and they have such great tradition about them. I think that whichever one of the four quarterbacks that we line up behind that offensive line is going to do great. I mean you could line me up back there, and I would get a couple of yards.”
On Ed Orgeron inside the locker room and not in the public eye…
“He’s a little different in closed doors, and guys love him because he is kind of loud and a little boisterous. Guys love his personality and what he brings to a football team, because he is just a loveable Louisiana football coach, but he is a little quieter behind closed doors. When you talk to him one-on-one, you understand the intelligence he brings to the game, being in the game for 51 years. He really has a brilliant football mind. He’s one of the rare guys that you have, one of the Jerry Sullivan’s. I cannot praise Coach O enough for everything he has brought to our football team, and you can see it with how dominant our defensive line is. I love those guys, and that is a direct reflection of Coach O.”
Junior defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence
On his leadership qualities…
“Well, I mean, it is many leadership roles that I have on this team. Vocal, showing people how I work, but I think it’s a mixture of all of them. It’s tough being a leader in the SEC. You have to be able to lead guys that are older than you and younger than you. I just try to do a great job of showing guys how I work. That’s the biggest thing, when guys see you working hard, then they’ll respect you.”
On Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda…
“It’s great. He’s a guy that doesn’t say much, but he doesn’t have to. Every day, he’s bringing in new wrinkles and schemes to our defense that are just absolutely great. They work Saturday after Saturday. Having somebody like Coach Aranda on your side is something that you never take for granted, because he’s a great coach.”
On what he wants people to know about him…
“I want people to know that I am a very humble guy. I’m humble, but I’m hungry to be great. I was raised by my mom and dad, who taught me to be myself at all times and always be respectful to all people no matter the color of their skin, or how big they are, how small they are, just to always be respectful. Also, somebody that is very hungry and that wants to be great. If it’s not in football, if it’s just in doing whatever I do in life, just somebody that is very eager to be great. ”
On what gives him his edge and grit…
“I don’t want to let my brother down. I battled some injuries last year, but everybody is injured in college. Everybody has bumps and bruises. For me, it’s just to fight through it and keep going, because no day is promised. If I can walk and if I can go, I’m going to go and give it my all.”
Junior linebacker Devin White, Jr.
On what to expect from the LSU defense…
“Takeaways. We want to get the ball to our offense, so they can make a lot of plays. We want to pride ourselves on takeaways and being dominant for five quarters. You never know what’s going to happen in a game, so you never want to leave with that extra inch out there. The extra inch can lose or win you the game. We want to play the last snap like it’s the first snap. The same out of energy and enthusiasm the whole game.”
On owning horses…
“I think the best moment of my life is being a horse lover. My first horse is a horse that’s so big, his name is Ricky Bobby. I don’t ride him much. I got a new horse this past Sunday. Her name is Daisy May, she’s five years old. I got the chance to move her to Baton Rouge when I first purchased her. I go visit her every day. She’s made my life easier this past week, because I go spend time with her and there’s not a lot of outside noise.”
On representing Northern Louisiana…
“Representing North Louisiana is a big thing, because we have so many guys that have been there before me. At the end of the day it’s extra special, because I love LSU. I just thank Coach Orgeron for letting me come here and speak for the LSU community.”
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
