LSU’s offseason hiring of defensive coordinator Dave Aranda has been met with universal praise from around the college football world with visions of an elite defense returning to Baton Rouge. The theory is simple, with more talent at his disposal than every before, one of the nation’s top defensive minds should produce an elite defense immediately.
There’s only one problem, the Tigers defensive players – most notably the defensive line – may not be as stocked as many perceive it to be.
With Aranda switching the Tigers to a primarily 3-4 base defense, finding the right fit at nose tackle has become the biggest to-do on the defensive coordinators’ offseason list.
So what exactly is Aranda looking for?
“You want someone that’s not necessarily just big but someone that has movement skills and has got some size to him,” Aranda said Tuesday during the LHSAA coaches convention, according to Ross Dellenger of The Advocate. “We’re going to have those guys. It’s just a matter of identifying them.”
One player Aranda seems to believe will be capable of filling in up front is junior Davon Godchaux. Godchaux started every game for the Tigers last season and played extensively as a freshman in 2014 but is now being asked to learn a different role in a new system.
“I think we’re still trying to find answers inside. The ability that Godchaux brought us to play inside was real exciting,” Aranda said. “I think there’s times we’re going to want Godchaux on edges as well. So, who comes in? Who does that? That’s where I think there’s some room for some of these younger guys, but I think there’s time for that to play out.”
One name on everyone’s mind for the role is true freshman and four-star signee Ed Alexander. The 2016 Under Armour All-American was rated as a Top 10 defensive lineman coming out of high school last season but has yet to officially cleared to join classes at LSU. If the NCAA clears Alexander, Aranda will be sure to find a spot for him on the line.
“It depends (on) if he moves really well,” Aranda said. “I think Ed will.”
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
