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As with any year, it’s always hard to say goodbye to players who will be moving on after giving so much to the program. This year is certainly no different. Many LSU players will take their talents to the next level, and some will leave early to do so. LSU has been noted for its abundance of underclassmen who have made the jump to the NFL.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the five players who will be toughest to replace for the Tigers in the 2016 season:
RT Vadal Alexander: Voted the team’s co-Offensive MVP – can you guess the other? – Alexander was also named to the All-SEC first team and All-America third team. He started 45 games at LSU and led the team in total snaps this season with 734. He totaled 115.5 knockdown blocks during the regular season, including 17 vs. South Carolina. The senior leader was a big reason why LSU led the SEC in average rushing yards per game this season. He leaves a huge void on the offensive line with his departure.
LB Deion Jones: A Butkus Award finalist, Jones led the Tigers in tackles (88) this season. The senior recorded 54 solo tackles and led the team with 12 tackles for loss. Jones came up with five sacks this season and also intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, in addition to forcing a fumble. He had five games of double-digit tackles this season, including a season-high 14 vs. Ole Miss. Over his four-year career at LSU, Jones tallied 152 tackles, including 20 for loss. Jones will be very difficult to replace at linebacker.
LT Jerald Hawkins: Another standout along the offensive line, Hawkins, a junior, declared early for the NFL Draft. He started at right tackle his first two seasons at LSU and has been a starter in 36 games over his three years at the school. He played a total of 588 snaps during the 2015 regular season, including every offensive snap in six games. He, along with Alexander, played key roles in the Tigers’ success on the ground this season.
S Jalen Mills: Missing most of the 2015 season with a leg injury, Mills played in six games and made five starts this season after starting in every game for three previous years. He had the most career starts (44) of any player on the Tigers defense this season. He tied his career-high with nine solo tackles vs. Alabama. Mills’ leadership will be incredibly tough to replace in 2016. Over his career, Mills recorded 216 tackles, including 134 solo. He had eight tackles for loss, four of those were sacks. He intercepted four passes and recovered a fumble.
P Jamie Keehn: A three-year starter, Keehn will be very tough to replace. The senior averaged nearly 43 yards per punt over his career at LSU. The Australian had his best season as a Tiger in 2014 when he booted 71 punts for a 44.9-yard average, ranking second in the SEC and ninth in the nation.
LB Lamar Louis is another who will be tough to replace, and the future status is still uncertain for a group of LSU players. Tigers WR Travin Dural, CB Tre’Davious White and LB Kendell Beckwith have not decided on whether to declare for the NFL Draft. Their departure would be strongly felt, leaving a big void at their respective positions.
The same could be said for TE Dillon Gordon, who has applied to the NCAA for a medical redshirt. The senior missed most of the 2015 season with an Achilles injury. Gordon was recently stabbed in a bar fight and hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. It prompted head coach Les Miles to ban players from bars.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
