This year's draft or next, LSU defensive line filled with first rounders

by Dan Kadar on Jan 9, 2012 2:53 PM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

When most talk about LSU in anticipation of tonight's BCS National Championship Game, the discussion on defense largely centers around the secondary. That comes rightly so with cornerbacks like Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne — the latter of whom will be a first-round pick this year.

But it's a group of defensive lineman filled with sophomores who should give Tigers fans enough reason to think LSU will beat Alabama again tonight but also keep them as contenders next season. That is, of course, if none of them enter the draft following tonight's game.

Defensive end Sam Montgomery is the flashiest of the bunch and had two sacks in LSU 9-6 win over Alabama in November. He's already said he won't enter the draft this year, but anything could happen before the Jan. 15 declare deadline. Montgomery is a lean 6-foot-4, 245 pounds as a redshirt sophomore. If he can bulk up to the 255-pound range, he's good enough to be an early first-round pick. If he plays his junior year at a bigger size, he could stay at end in the NFL to play the run game better. But he's also athletic enough right now to move outside on a 3-4 defense.

Perhaps even better suited for a role in a 3-4 defense is fellow end Barkevious Mingo. The former high school track star is the fastest of LSU's linemen and reportedly runs the 40-yard dash in the low 4.5 range. With this length and first step, expect ridiculous comparisons for Mingo when he chooses to go pro.

Shockingly, neither Montgomery nor Mingo is LSU's best sophomore defensive lineman. That would be tackle Michael Brockers. If he went pro after tonight's game (which is merely a slight Internet rumor, at the moment) he would be a top 20 picks this year. Brockers' game compares favorably to Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Like McCoy, Brockers is a long, strong tackle who can penetrate gaps with ease. But it's his underrated run defense that makes Brockers ready for the NFL right now. If he decides to return for his junior season, Brockers could blossom into a top 10 pick in 2013. A key for tonight is how Brockers plays against short Alabama center William Vlachos. The senior used leverage against Brockers to help neutralize him some the last time they faced off.

Fellow tackle Bennie Logan is as versatile as he is underrated. With Mingo and Montgomery on the outside, Logan lines up mainly at tackle. His first step is good enough, though, to play left end in the right 4-3 system in the NFL. Ideally, Logan will end up on a 3-4 team as an end. He'll be able to hold the edge against the run and take up blockers.

Of course, Alabama's line in their 3-4 set is no slouch either. Senior tackle Josh Chapman is one of the better nose tackle prospects in this year's draft. Junior college transfer Jesse Williams perfectly plays the part of a five-technique and does everything a 3-4 team would want in an end.

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If the Eagles keep the wide9 Mingo is the LSU DE I want

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by KJ Brophy on Jan 9, 2012 3:02 PM EST reply actions

Oh well

I was coming on here to claim him. But since the Eagles will be drafting before the Giants…

by ct17 on Jan 9, 2012 10:54 PM EST up reply actions

I think you'll see a pattern with our undersized DL

LSU’s DL goes to fat camp

One of Moffitt’s favorite metrics is relative strength—a measure of how much work a player can do per pound of body weight. Defensive backs, he said, should score in the upper fives, defensive ends in the low fives and defensive tackles in the mid fours. If a player has a too-small number, Moffitt said, it’s a sign that his “non-functional” mass is slowing him down.

Moffitt believes that if a football player can lose 10 pounds while improving his relative strength, he’ll be more efficient in games. “We’re not going to roll a bunch of skinny minis out there on the field; that’s not our goal,” he said. “But we want every ounce of weight to be force-generating.”

We geared our team towards the Hurry up, no huddle spread offense that Oregon has. Even Brockers slimmed down. They can add that weight, but they had to have their bodies ready to play Oregon, not an NFL team. The NFL is behind the times on the spread just because it’s not used extensively. We built a defense that has 3-4 Jack Linebackers playing end and ends playing tackles (Michael Brockers was an end coming out of high school). Brandon Taylor was a corner. Mo Claiborne a WR. My point is that I think your statement on Montgomery will apply to LSU d-lineman for a while. They will be very talented but may require a different position in the pros.

Thanks for the article, good stuff.

by Big McLargeHuge on Jan 9, 2012 3:03 PM EST reply actions

Both teams have recruited well these past several seasons. I don’t see either team falling out of the top ten over the next three years.

When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 9, 2012 3:14 PM EST reply actions

maybe its just me but I don't get that vibe that this LSU team is one of the best all time like 05 USC or 01 Canes.

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by nolesbroncos3456 on Jan 9, 2012 3:33 PM EST via Android app reply actions

probably cuz LSU's offense is hindered by terrible QB play

they have Phillip Rivers younger brother and also have Gunner Kiel, the top ranked QB in this current class, on the roster so.

So this current squad may not be USC or the U good just yet, but they probably will be.

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by Rorschach44 on Jan 9, 2012 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

This

The QB play has been much better than years past. Mostly due to Steve Kragthorpe and Greg Studrawa, but it isn’t good enough to make it a very reliable offensive option. The QBs both have certain qualities that are fatal to their play. JJ – indecisive runner and passer, tebow-esque throwing motion, not a great arm. Lee – indecisive passer, subpar footwork, doesn’t make his progressions very well.

This should all change next year with Mettenberger having a year in the system and good coaching.

As for one of the best ever. The results really speak for themselves. They’ve dominated all of their opponents, barring Alabama. Some argue Miss St. But if you watched that game, you would never get a feeling that LSU was playing poorly. They just never did well in the redzone that game.

The offense is also not a “sexy” offense. Watching LSU games, you see: run. run. run. PA, PA, run, short pass, run, run, run, PA, run, short pass. This goes back to the QB situation.

On the defensive side of things, the LBers don’t have a menacing feel to them like all time best teams had. And they shouldn’t They run about 6’ 220#. They aren’t big guys that dominate runningbacks and linemen. Not what they are there to do. The dline is so good, that the LBers are just there to run down plays and pass cover. This aspect of the defense detracts from the greatness of the whole package. As does the offense.

LSU is an 800 lb gorilla. With a chainsaw as a penis.

by nasa1225 on Jan 9, 2012 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

Gunner is a solid verbal

and as we all know nothing is official until NSD. Gunner Kiel if signed could start for them as a true freshman and play no worse than Jordan. They have it all and by adding a stud at QB makes them all the more better. Sam ’’Sonic’’ Montgomery will be in contention for the 1st overall pick come the 2013 draft, he will be that good.

by Robin's-meats-and-vegetables on Jan 10, 2012 6:48 AM EST up reply actions