We have only recruited Ridley at LB, who is projected at ILB. After 2007, we are down to: OLB/SAM - Derrick Odom; Perry Riley; Shomari Clemons? MLB/MIKE - Jacob Cutrera; Stevan Ridley OLB/WILL - Darry Beckwith; Kelvin Sheppard; Troy Giddens? That's it if we don't recruit anyone else. I don't think anyone at DE would qualify to move to LB. And probably not any of our safeties. What I don't get is how we could not attract some of the best OLBs in the nation, with them knowing that they are gonna start in 2008 and see playing time in 2007. Both Cutrera and Riley were not highly rated recruits in the 2006 class. Any ideas on this? PS - I say LSU goes to a 5-2 defense with all the D-lineman we have.
There were two guys from Stone Mtn. Georgia last year, wasn't one Sheppard? I think he redshirted this year, so there's another LB.
I agree, I dont understand why they never went after more LBs. Cutrera looked good in his limited PT, but I dont think he is quite quick enough to be an every down LB. At least not in an elite D. Riley played well, I liked what I seen in him. Another problem is that Louisiana hasnt had any big time LB prospects in a few years. Shomari Clemons may be moved to LB if need be. Plus coming out of school there was talk about Scott being moved to LB. With the emergence of Williams I think LSU could easily move Scott to LB. We have enough RBs behind Williams, plus if McKnight comes in next year.
I hate to tell you this but if Beckwith has another season like he did this year, he is very likely to be regarded as the best at his position and leave early for the draft.
I brought up this same concern a few days back about the lack of LB's. It is a worry because we have a bunch of tweeners and people like Korte and Scott who could convert to LB. That IMO is a concern. If their best position was LB they would have probably be playing there already in most cases. I would feel much better if we had stud LB's coming in and not relying on Stong safeties and RB's to convert or have a question as to whether they are best suited at safety or LB. We need more like Beckwith 4star 6-1, 224, 4.53 out of high school with experience playing LB.
We wanted one LB in this class. Unfortunately, there were no good ones on our radar that were close. There is the possability of a few guys converting there, but honestly I don't think that will be necessary. The young guys we have are going to be very good, but next year it will be important to grab a few quality LBs.
yes, that is yet another concerm...if that happens, we're going to have a definite weakness in our D at LB.
