LSU Tigers: Patrick Peterson
BATON ROUGE, La. -- GeauxTigerNation writer Gary Laney answers your questions:
From: Biff (Chicago): Do the recruiting coaches feel any advantage in having someone like Lavar Edwards, who wasn't a starter his senior year, get drafted into the NFL? Does it give them valuable ammunition for getting four- and five-star rated players to know that at LSU you don't have to be a starter to be an NFL player?
Gary Laney: You'd better believe LSU will use players like Edwards to sell the program's player development ability.
From: Biff (Chicago): Do the recruiting coaches feel any advantage in having someone like Lavar Edwards, who wasn't a starter his senior year, get drafted into the NFL? Does it give them valuable ammunition for getting four- and five-star rated players to know that at LSU you don't have to be a starter to be an NFL player?
Gary Laney: You'd better believe LSU will use players like Edwards to sell the program's player development ability.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- After LSU's last football scrimmage, head coach Les Miles addressed a minor injury to wide receiver Travin Dural -- a "nick" in Miles-speak -- and added that Dural was "arguably one of the best receivers" on the team.
That may come as a surprise to those who follow LSU from arm's length. After all, Dural, a redshirt freshman, has yet to set foot on the Tiger Stadium turf in a game situation. For those who do follow the Tigers, it wasn't entirely unexpected.
When Dural went down with a knee injury during August drills last season, he was having a solid camp and appeared to be on course for playing time. When the 6-foot-2 Dural -- who has speed, good length and has flashed nice ball skills -- is healthy, it's not hard to envision him pushing for playing time.
Question is, at whose expense?
LSU returns its top four receivers from last year's team and has added junior college transfer Quantavius Leslie, the big receiver lacking in last year's group, and added three freshman receivers in its recruiting class, two who are already on campus as early enrollees.
Here's what Leslie, and freshman Kevin Spears, will be up against when they come to LSU this summer.
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As LSU prepares to begin spring practice March 14, GeauxTigerNation will take daily looks at aspects of the spring camp. This is the sixth in the series:
BATON ROUGE, La. -- In four years, LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has not yet had a unit allow an average of 20 points per game. No defense has allowed more than than an average 328 yards a game, not more than 307 yards an outing after his first season.
Can he maintain that kind of quality?
Maybe, but if he does, it will be through perhaps his best rebuilding job to date at LSU, one that starts this week when the Tigers begin spring practice.
LSU returns starters at just four positions on defense and enters spring trying to revamp a defensive line that lost all four of its starters and six of its top nine players.
On paper, one might argue that it's the biggest challenge yet for Chavis at LSU.
One might disagree at first blush. When Chavis arrived in 2009, he was replacing Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory after the Tigers were perceived to have given up too many points and too many big plays in an 8-5 season. Many looked at the departures as a purging, of sorts, of the defensive problems.
But looking back, that 2008 defense only allowed a reasonable 325 yards per game and 24 points per gam, and those totals were skewed by an offense that committed 20 turnovers, often leading to points for the opposition. That 2009 defense returned six starters, including four future NFL draft picks.
Chavis' first defense actually gave up more yards per game (just under 329) than the 2008 team, but allowed a touchdown a game fewer thanks in no small part to the elimination of big plays by the defense and turnovers on offense.
So this year's defense will have to replace more starters and have to live up to a greater expectation.
After his first year, Chavis' teams have been allowing at least 20 yards less per game than that first defense.
Three things will have to happen if LSU is going to continue its dominance under Chavis. LSU must:
BATON ROUGE, La. -- In four years, LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has not yet had a unit allow an average of 20 points per game. No defense has allowed more than than an average 328 yards a game, not more than 307 yards an outing after his first season.
Can he maintain that kind of quality?
Maybe, but if he does, it will be through perhaps his best rebuilding job to date at LSU, one that starts this week when the Tigers begin spring practice.
Derick E. Hingle/US PresswireLSU defensive coordinator John Chavis will put his impressive track record to the test this offseason.
On paper, one might argue that it's the biggest challenge yet for Chavis at LSU.
One might disagree at first blush. When Chavis arrived in 2009, he was replacing Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory after the Tigers were perceived to have given up too many points and too many big plays in an 8-5 season. Many looked at the departures as a purging, of sorts, of the defensive problems.
But looking back, that 2008 defense only allowed a reasonable 325 yards per game and 24 points per gam, and those totals were skewed by an offense that committed 20 turnovers, often leading to points for the opposition. That 2009 defense returned six starters, including four future NFL draft picks.
Chavis' first defense actually gave up more yards per game (just under 329) than the 2008 team, but allowed a touchdown a game fewer thanks in no small part to the elimination of big plays by the defense and turnovers on offense.
So this year's defense will have to replace more starters and have to live up to a greater expectation.
After his first year, Chavis' teams have been allowing at least 20 yards less per game than that first defense.
Three things will have to happen if LSU is going to continue its dominance under Chavis. LSU must:
- Find playmakers on the defensive line. With all four starters gone, the Tigers will need a leader -- perhaps big-play tackle Anthony Johnson -- and some young talent to emerge. LSU has recruited well on the defensive line, but the talent is unproven. Young defensive linemen will have to make names for themselves this spring.
- Find a middle linebacker. With Kevin Minter's departure to the NFL, the Tigers don't have an obvious choice to lead the defense from the middle linebacker spot. Lamin Barrow was a 100-tackle star on the weak side, but does his game fit that of a middle linebacker? If not, which of LSU's many young prospects will step up in Minter's spot?
- Find a leader in the secondary. Eric Reid was a solid player, a good student and a natural leader at free safety. With Reid also in the NFL, does LSU have a leader in the secondary? Reid, Tyrann Mathieu, Morris Claiborne and Patrick Peterson are among the players LSU has had in the defensive backfield who came with leadership qualities. Can LSU can that from Craig Loston or one of the Jalens (Mills or Collins) at cornerback? How about from a new starter, potentially Ronald Martin?
As LSU prepares to begin spring practice March 14, we'll take daily looks at aspects of the spring camp. This is the first in the series:
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Spring practice can be looked at as simply 15 extra practices.
The reality is, there's more to it than that. Where August practice is focused more on preparation for a season opener, spring practices are more about evaluation and improvements. There are always areas where new players need to step up. Here are four with something to prove this spring:
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Spring practice can be looked at as simply 15 extra practices.
The reality is, there's more to it than that. Where August practice is focused more on preparation for a season opener, spring practices are more about evaluation and improvements. There are always areas where new players need to step up. Here are four with something to prove this spring:
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Whatever you do, don't try to out-evaluate LSU coaches.
LSU has been one of college football's premier producers of pro talent in the Les Miles era, and more often than not, the eventual high draft picks are players who were unheralded recruits. For every Patrick Peterson, who was everybody's blue chipper coming out of high school, there's a Morris Claiborne who was anything but that coming out of high school.
So when you look at LSU's recruiting results, don't focus on how many 5-star studs they beat everybody else for. Look for the guys like the ones below who went from unheralded to unstoppable:
LSU has been one of college football's premier producers of pro talent in the Les Miles era, and more often than not, the eventual high draft picks are players who were unheralded recruits. For every Patrick Peterson, who was everybody's blue chipper coming out of high school, there's a Morris Claiborne who was anything but that coming out of high school.
So when you look at LSU's recruiting results, don't focus on how many 5-star studs they beat everybody else for. Look for the guys like the ones below who went from unheralded to unstoppable:
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Tahaan Goodman doesn't need to flee his hometown to find a warm weather spot to play college football.
And there's no need to relocate from home to find a highly-competitive BCS conference.
So why is Goodman, the ESPN 150 safety from Racho Cucamonga, Calif., visiting LSU this weekend and seriously considering making the Tigers his future team?
And there's no need to relocate from home to find a highly-competitive BCS conference.
So why is Goodman, the ESPN 150 safety from Racho Cucamonga, Calif., visiting LSU this weekend and seriously considering making the Tigers his future team?
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Countdown to Signing Day: Avery Johnson 
January, 16, 2013
Jan 16
8:00
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
To gear up for 2013 national signing day, GeauxTigerNation's Gary Laney will break down every commitment in the Tigers' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: WR Avery Johnson, Pompano Beach, Fla./Ely (Hargrave Military Academy), 6-foot-2, 180 pounds
Committed to LSU: In 2010 and signed with the Tigers in 2012, but attended prep school after failing to meet NCAA initial eligibility requirements
Vitals: WR Avery Johnson, Pompano Beach, Fla./Ely (Hargrave Military Academy), 6-foot-2, 180 pounds
Committed to LSU: In 2010 and signed with the Tigers in 2012, but attended prep school after failing to meet NCAA initial eligibility requirements
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Interest in late-bloomer Jackson increasing
January, 10, 2013
Jan 10
4:07
PM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
Eddie Jackson (Pompano Beach, Fla./Boyd Anderson) is the epitome of a late-bloomer, under-the-radar prospect.
A senior wide receiver/defensive back who had little film to offer because academic issues sidelined him for much of his high school career, Jackson worked to get his grades up, had a solid senior season on the field and now has a growing list of offers.
Including the latest one.
A senior wide receiver/defensive back who had little film to offer because academic issues sidelined him for much of his high school career, Jackson worked to get his grades up, had a solid senior season on the field and now has a growing list of offers.
Including the latest one.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Anthony Jennings, the ESPN 300 quarterback who begins his college career Friday at LSU, plans on hitting the ground running at his new school.
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BATON ROUGE -- With a number of top prospects still considering the possibility of signing with LSU Feb. 6, they should remember one thing before they sign with the Tigers:
If you sign, you better come ready to play.
LSU brought in 21 true freshmen in the 2012 signing class, and 15 have played -- which is second in the country.
If you sign, you better come ready to play.
LSU brought in 21 true freshmen in the 2012 signing class, and 15 have played -- which is second in the country.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- By now, the typical follower of recruiting knows all the 4- and 5-star recruits. Ricky Seals-Jones is a household name, as is Robert Nkemdiche.
When Seals-Jones chose Texas A&M Monday, it dominated the recruiting news cycle. When Nkemdiche makes his decision, the news will rule the day, with the image of Nkemdiche at a table wearing the cap of the winning school on his head while surrounded by family and coaches sure to be placed all over the web.
But decisions like those are only a small part of December and January recruiting. More often, the story is about the kid who comes in from off the radar, the relative unknown who is either a late bloomer or simply late in getting interest.
When Seals-Jones chose Texas A&M Monday, it dominated the recruiting news cycle. When Nkemdiche makes his decision, the news will rule the day, with the image of Nkemdiche at a table wearing the cap of the winning school on his head while surrounded by family and coaches sure to be placed all over the web.
But decisions like those are only a small part of December and January recruiting. More often, the story is about the kid who comes in from off the radar, the relative unknown who is either a late bloomer or simply late in getting interest.
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In addition to its recruiting class, it looks like LSU finally will get some long-anticipated help at the wide receiver position from a familiar name.
Avery Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely), a wide receiver signee with the Tigers' 2012 class, confirmed Tuesday that he has been cleared to enroll at LSU by the NCAA Clearinghouse after failing to qualify in August. Johnson, the younger brother of former LSU star Patrick Peterson, had been committed to LSU since 2010 -- when he was a junior in high school. But he didn't meet the test scores needed to enroll for the 2012 season.
Johnson instead has spent his season at Hargrave Military Academy -- an option not unfamiliar to LSU players, including defensive tackle Ego Ferguson and former running back Keiland Williams.
Johnson said he'll be enrolled in January at LSU, in time for the start of the Tigers' offseason program.
Avery Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely), a wide receiver signee with the Tigers' 2012 class, confirmed Tuesday that he has been cleared to enroll at LSU by the NCAA Clearinghouse after failing to qualify in August. Johnson, the younger brother of former LSU star Patrick Peterson, had been committed to LSU since 2010 -- when he was a junior in high school. But he didn't meet the test scores needed to enroll for the 2012 season.
Johnson instead has spent his season at Hargrave Military Academy -- an option not unfamiliar to LSU players, including defensive tackle Ego Ferguson and former running back Keiland Williams.
Johnson said he'll be enrolled in January at LSU, in time for the start of the Tigers' offseason program.
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It’s only fitting for what has been college football’s best rivalry over the past five years or so that we look back at some of the best and most memorable moments.
No. 1 Alabama and No. 5 LSU will meet for the third time in 12 months on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. It’s their seventh meeting since Nick Saban returned to the SEC in 2007 as Alabama’s coach, which only spiced up the rivalry. Saban, of course, was LSU’s coach from 2000-04.
The teams have combined to win four of the past nine BCS national championships, and they're 3-3 in their past six meetings.
Here’s a look back at those six games:
Fourth-down magic: It was Saban’s first game against his old team, and Alabama nearly pulled off an improbable upset of No. 3 LSU. The Tigers survived 41-34 and would go on to win the 2007 national championship. One of the plays everybody remembers from that season was Early Doucet’s 32-yard touchdown catch and run to tie the score on a fourth-and-4 play with 2:49 to play. It was a quick-hitter that Doucet turned into a big play, and Saban lamented afterward that he knew the Tigers were going to Doucet. Saban had recruited and signed more than 30 of the players on that LSU team, and several went over to shake hands with him after the game. Saban said it was like “playing against somebody in your family.”
The blitz: While Doucet’s touchdown tied the score in 2007, freshman safety Chad Jones sealed the win for the Tigers when he burst free up the middle on a blitz and forced Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson to fumble. Curtis Taylor recovered for LSU at the Alabama 3-yard line with 1:39 to play, and Jacob Hester plowed in for the winning touchdown two plays later. The LSU players presented Les Miles with a game ball after the game in the locker room.
The hat trick: In one of the greatest individual performances in this series’ history, Alabama senior safety Rashad Johnson intercepted LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee three times in the 2008 game, and the Crimson Tide escaped 27-21 in overtime to stay unbeaten. Johnson’s first interception gave the Tide possession at the LSU 15-yard line and set up their first touchdown. He returned his second interception 54 yards for a touchdown to tie the score in the second quarter, and his third interception was in the end zone in overtime.
The interception that wasn’t: It’s a call that still boils the blood of LSU fans. Star cornerback Patrick Peterson appeared to intercept a ball on the sideline late in the game in 2009. Alabama was leading 21-15 at the time, and the official on the field ruled that Peterson was out of bounds when he intercepted Greg McElroy’s pass. The call went to the replay booth, and even though replays seemed to show that Peterson had a foot inbounds, it wasn’t overturned. Alabama was able to move into position for a clinching field goal to win 24-15 and stay unbeaten on its way to Saban's first national title at Alabama.
Cramped up: In that same 2009 game in Tuscaloosa, Peterson had done a good job of holding Alabama star receiver Julio Jones in check. But early in the fourth quarter with LSU leading 15-13, Peterson had to leave the game with cramps. The next time Alabama got the ball, the Crimson Tide took advantage of Peterson’s absence and tossed a quick screen pass out wide to Jones, and he turned on the jets for a 73-yard touchdown to put Alabama ahead for good.
The gamble: Miles went into his bag of tricks twice in 2010, and LSU pulled out a 24-21 win, much to the delight of a raucous crowd at Tiger Stadium. Punter Josh Jasper ran for 29 yards on a fake punt in the third quarter. But the key blow for the Tigers came in the fourth quarter, when the “Mad Hatter” called for a double pitch on fourth-and-1 from the Alabama 26-yard line. Running back Stevan Ridley took a toss and then pitched it to tight end Deangelo Peterson on a reverse, and Peterson sprinted 23 yards to the Alabama 3. Ridley scored on third down from the 1 to put LSU ahead to stay.
Reid’s acrobatics: Even now when you go back and watch the play, it’s still hard to believe that LSU safety Eric Reid managed to wrestle the ball away from Alabama tight end Michael Williams in mid-air and come down with possession. Alabama tried a reverse pass early in the fourth quarter, but Marquis Maze’s throw hung up a little too long. It gave Reid just enough time to get back there and make his spectacular interception at the 1-yard line. LSU went on to win 9-6 in overtime last season in what was the most hyped regular-season game in SEC history.
Crimson wall: Alabama got a second chance at LSU last season and made it count in the BCS National Championship Game. The Crimson Tide absolutely suffocated a listless LSU offense and didn’t allow the Tigers to cross midfield until the fourth quarter. LSU was held to 92 total yards on offense, and Alabama rolled 21-0 to win its second national title in the past three years.
No. 1 Alabama and No. 5 LSU will meet for the third time in 12 months on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. It’s their seventh meeting since Nick Saban returned to the SEC in 2007 as Alabama’s coach, which only spiced up the rivalry. Saban, of course, was LSU’s coach from 2000-04.
The teams have combined to win four of the past nine BCS national championships, and they're 3-3 in their past six meetings.
Here’s a look back at those six games:
[+] Enlarge
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesLSU's Eric Reid wrestled this pass away from Alabama's Michael Williams for a memorable interception last season.
The blitz: While Doucet’s touchdown tied the score in 2007, freshman safety Chad Jones sealed the win for the Tigers when he burst free up the middle on a blitz and forced Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson to fumble. Curtis Taylor recovered for LSU at the Alabama 3-yard line with 1:39 to play, and Jacob Hester plowed in for the winning touchdown two plays later. The LSU players presented Les Miles with a game ball after the game in the locker room.
The hat trick: In one of the greatest individual performances in this series’ history, Alabama senior safety Rashad Johnson intercepted LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee three times in the 2008 game, and the Crimson Tide escaped 27-21 in overtime to stay unbeaten. Johnson’s first interception gave the Tide possession at the LSU 15-yard line and set up their first touchdown. He returned his second interception 54 yards for a touchdown to tie the score in the second quarter, and his third interception was in the end zone in overtime.
The interception that wasn’t: It’s a call that still boils the blood of LSU fans. Star cornerback Patrick Peterson appeared to intercept a ball on the sideline late in the game in 2009. Alabama was leading 21-15 at the time, and the official on the field ruled that Peterson was out of bounds when he intercepted Greg McElroy’s pass. The call went to the replay booth, and even though replays seemed to show that Peterson had a foot inbounds, it wasn’t overturned. Alabama was able to move into position for a clinching field goal to win 24-15 and stay unbeaten on its way to Saban's first national title at Alabama.
Cramped up: In that same 2009 game in Tuscaloosa, Peterson had done a good job of holding Alabama star receiver Julio Jones in check. But early in the fourth quarter with LSU leading 15-13, Peterson had to leave the game with cramps. The next time Alabama got the ball, the Crimson Tide took advantage of Peterson’s absence and tossed a quick screen pass out wide to Jones, and he turned on the jets for a 73-yard touchdown to put Alabama ahead for good.
The gamble: Miles went into his bag of tricks twice in 2010, and LSU pulled out a 24-21 win, much to the delight of a raucous crowd at Tiger Stadium. Punter Josh Jasper ran for 29 yards on a fake punt in the third quarter. But the key blow for the Tigers came in the fourth quarter, when the “Mad Hatter” called for a double pitch on fourth-and-1 from the Alabama 26-yard line. Running back Stevan Ridley took a toss and then pitched it to tight end Deangelo Peterson on a reverse, and Peterson sprinted 23 yards to the Alabama 3. Ridley scored on third down from the 1 to put LSU ahead to stay.
Reid’s acrobatics: Even now when you go back and watch the play, it’s still hard to believe that LSU safety Eric Reid managed to wrestle the ball away from Alabama tight end Michael Williams in mid-air and come down with possession. Alabama tried a reverse pass early in the fourth quarter, but Marquis Maze’s throw hung up a little too long. It gave Reid just enough time to get back there and make his spectacular interception at the 1-yard line. LSU went on to win 9-6 in overtime last season in what was the most hyped regular-season game in SEC history.
Crimson wall: Alabama got a second chance at LSU last season and made it count in the BCS National Championship Game. The Crimson Tide absolutely suffocated a listless LSU offense and didn’t allow the Tigers to cross midfield until the fourth quarter. LSU was held to 92 total yards on offense, and Alabama rolled 21-0 to win its second national title in the past three years.
Notes: Sanders not anonymous with LSU
October, 10, 2012
10/10/12
8:00
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Ace Sanders said he can walk to classes at the University of South Carolina without ever getting asked about his football accomplishments because, at 5-foot-8, 175 pounds, nobody thinks he's actually a football player.
"I'm able to keep a level of anonymity," he said.
He's quickly making a name for himself as one of the SEC's most dangerous punt returners, averaging 15.5 yards a return, fifth best in the nation. He's a major topic conversation this week coming off his electrifying 70-yard touchdown return in last week's 35-7 rout of Georgia.
"I'm able to keep a level of anonymity," he said.
He's quickly making a name for himself as one of the SEC's most dangerous punt returners, averaging 15.5 yards a return, fifth best in the nation. He's a major topic conversation this week coming off his electrifying 70-yard touchdown return in last week's 35-7 rout of Georgia.
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LSU shows its reach on 2014 Watch List
September, 27, 2012
9/27/12
3:30
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
National signing day for the class of 2014 seems like a distant speck on the map, but this is already shaping up to be a textbook recruiting effort from LSU.
There's a pretty basic formula the Tigers have followed to recruiting success during the Les Miles era: Lock up the lion's share of the top talent in Louisiana, then grab a few quality prospects from talent-rich states nearby -- Texas, Mississippi, Florida or Georgia.
That appears to again be the case next year. Of the 12 Louisiana targets in the ESPN Watch List for 2014, LSU has offered 10. The two without offers, wide receiver Cameron Sims (Monroe, La./Ouachita Paris) and linebacker Kenny Young (New Orleans, La./John Curtis), are certainly on LSU's radar.
There's a pretty basic formula the Tigers have followed to recruiting success during the Les Miles era: Lock up the lion's share of the top talent in Louisiana, then grab a few quality prospects from talent-rich states nearby -- Texas, Mississippi, Florida or Georgia.
That appears to again be the case next year. Of the 12 Louisiana targets in the ESPN Watch List for 2014, LSU has offered 10. The two without offers, wide receiver Cameron Sims (Monroe, La./Ouachita Paris) and linebacker Kenny Young (New Orleans, La./John Curtis), are certainly on LSU's radar.
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ABOUT GEAUX TIGER NATION
Gary Laney
Gary Laney joined ESPN.com in 2012 after spending a year and a half as online sports editor of the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate. Before that, he covered LSU sports for the Advocate. He has also been the sports editor at the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and covered McNeese State athletics for the Lake Charles (La.) American Press. Laney currently lives in Baton Rouge. Email him at glaneyespn@gmail.com