LSU junior safety Dashawn Spears says the pace around the program has changed in a major way this fall, and he’s feeling it on both sides of the ball.
Asked Thursday whether camp has looked dramatically faster than the last two years, Spears didn’t hesitate.
“Oh yeah, if you ask anybody in the building, I think, it’s a night and day difference from last year, obviously,” he said with a smile.
“And then this year, we’re really trying to win it all, so really, really different,” said Spears, who was the No. 2 safety in the nation and No. 3 prospect in Louisiana in 2025 when he signed from Denham Springs High.
The new tempo comes with a new role for Spears, too. After working as a third safety last season, he shifted in the spring to the star position, stepping into the spot previously held by linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who was a sixth round pick by Atlanta in last NFL Draft.
In Blake Baker’s defense, the star is part defensive back, part linebacker, and it asks for more run support than a traditional safety.
Spears said the transition has been a good one, even if it came with some early bumps.
“I’ve embraced it pretty well,” said Spears, who made 29 tackles last season with a sack and two interceptions. His 58-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Tigers a 20-10 lead in the third quarter of the 20-10 win over Florida. He also worked as a sixth defensive back in passing situations last year, which gave him some background for the new spot.
“I put five pounds of weight on because I’m in the box (closer to the line of scrimmage) and for more tackling,” he said. “It’s a good role for me.
I would say I’ve had some growing pains - the first time playing star for me was in the spring. But I think I’m a perfect fit for it, being a versatile player coming in for the run and I can guard in coverage.”
Spears said the position has started to feel more natural as he’s spent more time studying the defense.
“It was definitely fast for me at the star with the new offense, but it’s slowed down with me watching extra film,” Spears said.
That adjustment should matter when LSU lines up against up-tempo teams this season.
“I’ll have my normal calm demeanor out there, reading things and everything being in slow motion, so I can play faster,” Spears said. “It’s slowed down for us because we’re getting used to that fast pace of a Lane Kiffin offense.”
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