Where LSU’s defense stands after spring practice

We recently had an overall perspective as to which players during spring drills have opened eyes on the offensive side of the ball at LSU.

Now it’s time to look at the defense.

New defensive coordinator Matt House admitted that his system is not fully installed just yet. As the unit begins to take on the personality of the talent available, options will become more clear to the coaching staff.

LSU has a defense with star quality among its ranks. You can expect multiple looks, including the 4-3 and 3-4, and you might see a two-man front with a dime-plus look in certain spots.

We’ll look closer at individuals by position.

Ali Gaye played just four games last season due to injury but the dynamic edge defender managed 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

The 6-6, 268-pound senior understands where the ball is going at the snap as well as his leadership role on the team. Gaye is widely respected by teammates on both sides of the ball.

Saivion Jones (6-5, 255, RS Fr.) is capable of big plays but you have to also accept rookie mistakes. The St. James product made strides during spring but he’s made to disrupt offenses in the backfield

Quency Wiggins (6-5, 280, Fr.) is a signee we’ll see more after a peak this spring as an early enrollee. He has a basketball background butis still a little raw on the gridiron. Wiggins flashed some ability on the edge, already showing what the future may have in store. A stud athletically, his potential is enormous. Once game slows down for him, look out.

Defensive tackle Maason Smith (6-5, 298, Soph.) looked noticeably more advanced. He has All-SEC performer potential, appearing unblockable at times. The versatility of LSU’s defense is aided by the fact Smith can line up at 3 or 5 technique. He could be mentioned in same breath with Glenn Dorsey, Kyle Williams and Booger McFarland before he leaves Baton Rouge.

Mehki Wingo (6-0, 292, Soph.), the transfer from Missouri, sports a hot motor, uses his hands very well, keeps his feet moving and finds the ball quickly. He’ll be a valuable rotation piece.

Nose tackle Jaquelin Roy (6-3, 315, Jr.) displays impressive pursuit skills for someone his size. His violent hands are a weapon. Roy can handle 3 tech or 1 tech work as a run stuffer who is capable of bringing pressure. He makes a 3-4 look work when utilized.

Jacobian Guillory (6-1, 335, soph.) is another nose who controls the middle, dominating space in the A-B gap.

B.J. Ojulari (6-3, 245, Jr.) had 12 TFLs and seven sacks last season. Those numbers could expand as his use off the edge grows. A quick first step will be aided by strength training, where he has gotten stronger and quicker. Ojulari is very difficult to block when he bends around the edge.

Zavier Carter (6-3, 210, Soph.) continued to pop up this apring with big plays. He has added size this offseason but seems to fit in situationally as a rush end. Carter can drop into coverage if called upon but clearly has the look of a sack artist. He plays with juice, uses hands well to ward off blockers, plays with leverage and bends edge to elude tackles’ grips.

Mike Jones (6-0, 232, Jr.) represented himself well at linebacker when he matched up with receivers in space during spring. As advertised when he trasnsfered from Clemson, he covers a lot of ground. Jones recognizes running plays and attacks. His role has expanded from 2021, leading to a more confident player.

West Weeks (6-2, 237, Soph.), transfer from Virginia, seems to fit into the defense comfortably. His drops in coverage are a strength. Weeks recognizes receivers in the flat, flies to the area and even forces quarterbacksto pull down the ball due to pass coverage.

Demario Tolan, a 2022 signee, was injured in spring. However, he’s extremely athletic and shows good lateral movement to be another potential coverage option.

Harold Perkins has yet to arrive but the best high school player in state of Texas in this class bears mentioning now. He won’t be rushed but he’s too talented not to see the field this season.

Greg Penn III (6-1, 237, Soph.) is currently listed as a starter at inside linebacker with Jones. HE recognizes plays immediately and bolts to the ball. He could follow in the footsteps of LSU greats Deion Jones, Kwon Alexander and Patrick Queen. Penn shows impressive read and react ability. For a tyoung player, he rarely takes a false step.

Micah Baskerville (6-1, 228, Sr.) found himself in a dog fight for reps this spring with all of the new arrivals and the maturation of 2021 freshmen like Penn. He had 83 tackles with nine TFL, 2.5 sacks and an interception last season. His wealth of experience will be a major asset, whether he tops the depth chart or not.

At the cornerback position, Mehki Garner (6-2, 215, Jr.) stands out with good length and size. The transfer from ULL will challenge against the run. He battled fiercely with Brian Thomas and other receivers all spring, showing he belongs on the SEC level. However, he will have to prove himself through the fall.

Jordan Toles (6-1, 205, Jr.) moved from safety during the spring but he may return there. He once had original hopes of suiting up for former LSU coach Will Wade’s team. It will be interesting to see where coaches decided he fits best.

Jarrick Bernard-Converse (6-1, 205, Sr.), highly-regarded transfer from Oklahoma State, displayed enough prior to injury that he can be a leader in the secondary. An all-conference performer in the Big XII, he is ready for battle.

Damrius McGhee (6-0, 165, Soph.) has the hips for the corner spot but he just needs more experience and bulk.

Raydarious Jones (6-2, 175, soph.) suffered an injury which took away from his spring development, but he has enough length and skill to contribute.

Greg Brooks (5-9, 185, Jr.), transfer from Arkansas and product of West Jefferson, has valuable SEC experience. He has the nickel job locked down.

Sage Ryan (5-11, 203, Soph.) has demonstrated enough to show he has the special skills everyone saw from him as a five-star recruit. He can play any spot in the secondary.

Free safety Jay Ward (6-1, 188, Sr.) can really handle resposibilities around the line of scrimmage to deep in the defensive backfield. He shows his outstanding coverage skills crafted from his days as a cornerback. That skill set screams NFL talent.

Matthew Langlois (6-0, 202, Soph.) has the explosive speed but he experienced a steep learning curve as freshman. Now more comfortable, the new coaches like what he brings as a safety and potential nickel option.

Like Brooks, strong safety Joe Foucha (5-10, 210, Sr.) is an Arkansas transfer who has seen it all in the SEC. The former McDonogh 35 star under legendary coach Wayne Reese, Sr. delivers knock out hits. Roams secondary. He is an obvious leader who is secure with his starting assignment.

Major Burns (6-2, 190, Soph.), injured this spring, will be key player at safety for 2022. His starting experience and great range will help him make up for lost time showing the new regime what he can do.

Derrick Davis, Jr. (6-0, 208, soph.) comes up quickly to challenge and has good anticipation in pre-snap reads. Davis closes quickly in pass coverage. He’ll keep competing as a deep safety position and be ready when his number is called.

In the next few weeks, it is likely LSU will add another transfer or two. It is more likely that the offense will be the beneficiary of the next portal moves to bolster 2022 depth though.