Sometimes a player comes in with the physical skills and the mental agility to start as a true freshman. It doesn't happen often, but it happens. AJ Duhe came in the first season that freshmen were eligible to play with the varsity and started game one at DE and every one after that. Don't know if Key has the stuff yet, but we will know by September 12.
I dont' remember ST getting many meaningful snaps last year. I do remember that he blew it up in garbage time in an early game, maybe Sam Houston, but other than that.....
Players who can start as freshmen and play at a high level are usually running backs, wide receivers and sometimes D backs. It's very rare for a freshman at a line position to have the physical maturity to play without at least a year in the weight room
He got playing time in a few games through the season, but nothing I would call significant. He did however flash potential.
He was tied for the 2nd most sacks on the team in limited playing time. Now that may tell you a little bit about how bad we were rushing the passer but it also may suggest he is pretty good. I know I liked the dude's motor.
LSU only had 19 sacks all last season. Among the worst in D1. We need several players with double digit sacks.
Tied for 3rd actually, and you're right, we were awful. Rasco led with 4, LaCouture had 2.5, and Beckwith and Teuhema had 2.0. Both of ST's came in the Sam Houston game.
We had 19 last year, the last time we had so few, 2000 the little guys first year at LSU. Robert Nkemdiche, the great Ole Miss player, funny JD Welter had as many tackles, PBU, QBH and Int as he did. As bad as Welter played.
A FEW MINUTES WITH: Davon Godchaux LSU defensive tackle Davon Godchaux Advocate story Aug. 11, 2015 After an ACL injury ruined his senior year at Plaquemine High, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was on the field for LSU’s season-opener and went on to start 10 games. One of the big surprises for LSU last year, Godchaux is healthy, experienced and confident this year. LSU fans probably didn’t expect to see you last year after hurting your knee in the first game of your senior year. What was it like coming back so quickly and contributing as a true freshman? It was hard not being able to play my senior season, but it was very hard getting ready to come in here and trying to rehab to get in shape. It was tough, but I had to do it because I knew I wanted to play. How hard was it to get back to where you were for that first game at LSU, just 344 days after surgery? It’s tough coming in and grinding every day. There were days when I was off and didn’t have to do ACL training, but I would go in anyway and do it to get my flexibility back. It’s a tough process. What were your expectations? I never had expectations of coming in my freshman year and starting. I had expectations of playing, but when Quentin Thomas went down (torn biceps), it was my job to get that starting spot. Christian LaCouture, your running mate at defensive tackle, said you were a little lost early last summer. How did you catch up? I guess people weren’t expecting anything from me, but that’s what made me fight harder. Christian took me under his wing and taught me the play book, so when I came in, I didn’t have to think where to go. All I had to do was go in and play. When did you realize you could really have an impact last season? I felt like I was ready to play and the coaches needed me to play early, so I jumped in and played against Wisconsin. After that game, I said, ‘Hey, I can play with these guys.’ I was nervous when I went in, but after, it I felt like I could play with the big boys. You committed before you were injured, but coach Les Miles honored the offer. How did that feel? Yeah, they stuck with me, and I appreciated that. I talked to coach Miles after I got hurt, and he was honest with me. He said, ‘I’m going to stick with you. You’re my guy, and I’m going to stick with your scholarship.’ LSU will play some 3-4 under Kevin Steele after being a four-man front under John Chavis. What do you see from that? We’re ready to see, but it’s going to be interesting. The first few games should be a big test for us to see how good our defense really is. We’re looking forward to that.
