LSU’s defensive line is already taking shape in fall camp, and the early look has brought a few surprises.
After two weeks of work, the Tigers have shuffled the first-team reps in a group that could define how this defense looks under Blake Baker and Chris Kiffin. The biggest takeaway so far: the freshmen are not waiting their turn.
Deuce Geralds, who stood out in LSU’s spring ball, has carried that momentum into camp and is now getting first-team snaps on the interior. He’s been joined there by Louisiana native Richard Anderson, a 339-pound presence who is expected to be a primary defensive tackle this season.
Another freshman, Lamar Brown, has also worked into the first-team drills. Listed as a defensive tackle, Brown brings more flexibility to the group because he can also line up on the edge.
The transfer additions are in the mix too. Auburn transfer Malik Blocton has been working with the first team in camp and gives LSU a 6'3, 286-pound option on the line.
On the edge, Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen and Tennessee transfer Jordan Ross are handling the starting spots as pass-rushing threats.
That combination of youth, size and transfer talent has given LSU a deep defensive line room, and Baker should have plenty of room to rotate bodies and keep players fresh in the trenches.
The early returns from camp suggest the group has already turned heads. With new faces stepping forward and depth spreading across the line, LSU appears to have found several of the players it will lean on right away in the first year.
It’s a unit that will be watched closely all season, especially with the Tigers set to face difficult offensive opponents.
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Ty Benefield gives the secondary another intriguing name to watch, while Caden Durham and Harlem Berry offer the kind of backfield punch that can keep pressure off the rest of the offense. On the perimeter, DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland could give LSU the sort of cornerback depth that lets the Tigers play with more confidence, even if the bigger picture still depends on how quickly Kiffins system comes together. [Read more 🡒]