2021 LSU Football By Position: Linebackers

Ed Orgeron sent out a message loud and clear to the his linebacker position at LSU following the 2020 season.

Improve or someone will seize your spot. Emphasis was placed on upgrading the talent there as well.

New linebackers coach Blake Baker should make a major difference. The position was a targeted area that was addressed through the 2021 signing class and transfer portal.

Damone Clark (6’3-245)

His team-leading 63 tackles this past season included 4 TFL and one sack. If there is such a thing as a quiet team-leading tackler, Damone has been it. He has 12 starts in his career. Clark shows sideline-to-sideline skills. He had 13 stops against Alabama this season. He is expected to make more of an impact.

Micah Baskerville (6’2-220)

He made 55 stops with 4.5 TFL last season starting all 10 games. He is a steady player with a high ceiling but needs to step forward as well to stay on the field. In early March, The Advocate reported Baskerville will sit out spring practice to focus on academics.

Navontecque Strong ( 6’0-230)

Billed as the best middle linebacker in the JUCO ranks last year, the new signee played 12 games with 104 tackles, 17.5 TFL and 8.0 sacks last season. Very active, Strong has a nose for the ball and shows agility in space. Programs target players like this to play right away.

Josh White (6’0-215)

A developing young player, White chipped in six stops as a true freshman in ’20 after he tallied 332 tackles in his high school career in Houston. Some comparisons have been made to former LSU and current Falcons standout linebacker Deion Jones due to his speed and range to ball. White is explosive and outstanding as a blitzer through A and B gaps.

Phillip Webb (6’4-225)

HIs top flight skills and quick twitch reflexes project him to be a true force off the edge. He shows great burst. The 2020 signee may be used primarily as a situational pass rusher.

Mike Jones ( 6’0-228)

After 28 career games at Clemson, Jones arrived recently via the transfer portal. He is expected to get a look inside. Last season, he posted 30 tackles with a pair of interceptions and four passes defended. It was a major surprise to discover his name in transfer portal last January. He shows great leadership and left Clemson as one of the more respected players in their locker room. Twice an All-ACC Honor Roll selection, it’s hard to see Jones not starting this fall. He could play inside or outside depending on need. He is superb in coverage, outstanding as a blitzer and a sure tackler.

Antoine Sampah ( 6’2-220)

The former No. 1 player in Virginia in the 2020 recruiting class, he is impressive as an open field tackler with good fundamentals overall. He diagnoses plays quickly. Somewhat overlooked thus far, Sampah could really take off once he gets comfortable on the field. It’s open season for linebacker snaps, and he has all the talent to step up.

Greg Penn III (6’1-225)

The Hyattsvale, Maryland product is a downhill tackler who will knocks sparks off a ball carrier. Physically ready to play. Penn runs very well and displays good drops in coverage. He was attracted to LSU’s history of producing linebackers for the NFL.

Zavier Cartier ( 6’5-193)

Speed off edge is his calling card but he will have to tack on weight and strength. A pass rusher extraordinaire, Cartier is instinctive. The 2021 signee enrolled early so spring will be vital to his development. He has a relationship with former LSU edge rusher Arden Key. He’s a very smart player who takes well to coaching.

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Click here for LSU roster analysis by position for 2021.