LSU’s defense has found one of its most reliable pieces in transfer linebacker TJ Dottery, and the numbers back up what the eye test has already suggested: he’s playing at an All-SEC level.
The Ole Miss transfer arrived in Baton Rouge with plenty of expectations, and he has already gone beyond them. Per PFF, Dottery holds the second-best defensive grade among qualified SEC linebackers. Only Georgia’s Chris Cole, who is in the middle of an All-American season, sits ahead of him.
Dottery’s impact shows up in a few different ways. His run-stop rate checks in at the 84th percentile, while his tackling grade lands in the 87th percentile. His pass coverage grade and his pass-rushing marks are also near the top of the SEC linebacker leaderboard.
Part of Dottery’s value to LSU has been the experience he brought with him. He was on Ole Miss’ College Football Playoff defense a season ago, and that kind of background mattered when LSU needed a veteran voice after Lane Kiffin took over the program. Dottery already knew Kiffin from their time together at Ole Miss, and that familiarity gave him a chance to step into a leadership role.
On the field, the fit has been just as strong. LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker runs a flexible scheme, and it has given Dottery plenty of ways to use his athleticism. He’s been able to move around and make an impact in multiple roles.
The pressure increased when LSU lost star linebacker Whit Weeks for an extended stretch, forcing Dottery to take on Weeks’ role. He answered that challenge and has continued to produce. With a huge second half ahead, the senior linebacker has an opportunity to lock down All-SEC status for good.
LSU goes on the road to face Auburn this Saturday, then heads into a much-needed bye next week.
In Other News...
LSU's SEC Fight Just Raised A New Problem For Will Wade
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has jumped into LSUs ongoing fight with the SEC, filing a motion that seeks to knock out the conferences federal lawsuit against LSU officials. Murrill dismissed the SECs latest claims as a Hail Mary, a sign that the case, which began with allegations aimed at LSU football officials over recruiting ex-pro athletes, has now widened into a much messier battle for the university.
The expansion into mens basketball only adds to the pressure around Will Wades program, especially with the SEC now pressing beyond the original football-related dispute. Wade has already said he plans to follow conference rules that bar athletes who previously signed professional contracts from being rostered, but the conferences broader approach means LSU is now dealing with a legal fight that could reach deeper into how it handles basketball recruiting, too. [Read more 🡒]
LSUs Roster Picture Just Changed With One Big Eligibility Twist
LSUs roster picture got a lot clearer with a wave of eligibility updates that should help settle some of the uncertainty around the mens basketball rotation. Saliou Niang, Brice Dessert, Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent have all been ruled eligible to play, giving the Tigers a stronger sense of what their lineup and depth chart can look like as the season approaches. Niang brings the promise of an athletic upside that has already made him stand out as an NBA draft pick, while Dessert is expected to add help in the frontcourt.
Dent and Clark, who were teammates at UCLA, now look set to be part of LSUs backcourt mix, an encouraging development for a team trying to build continuity in the right places. Even so, not every update was as clean, and one players status came with a less positive note, leaving at least one part of the roster situation still unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fans Should Keep An Eye On Bryce Underwood's Michigan Drama
Bryce Underwoods situation at Michigan has quickly become one of the more closely watched quarterback storylines in the country, and LSU fans have a natural reason to pay attention. The freshman has been benched, with Tommy Carr expected to take over as the starter in the upcoming game, which has only added to the uncertainty around Underwoods place in Ann Arbor and where his career might be headed next.
Underwood has not entered the transfer portal, but the chatter around his future is already building, and LSU is among the programs being mentioned as a possible landing spot if he chooses to move on. Miami, Texas Tech, Georgia and Kentucky are also in the mix, which means this could become a national recruiting and roster watch for the Tigers if the situation keeps trending in this direction. [Read more 🡒]