I am just wondering about LSU & next years linebacker situation. Who will be our starting linebackers next year? Are they considered average, below average or above average? With all the draging out & wishing for Mingo (4*) & Jones (3* but not qualified) it makes one wonder if this was a big priority for this year or are there gonna be a lot of linebackers available to recruit next year? Minter & Barrow are also commited so if we end up with these four will that be considered a success? Also I have noticed on Tiger Forums some talk about Chad Jones moving to linebacker, is that a real possibility or not? Seems we sure could use some speed at that position.
LB has been a priority for years, but for multiple reasons the staff hasn't come through with a steady flow of talent at that position. Hopefully with the new DC being a LB coach we will be able to turn the tide and bring in more than one quality prospect per season.
Yes, look for things to change in terms of recruiting LBs. We should be able to pull an OOS stud on an annual basis.
Mingo = upper half of 4 star range Minter = upper half of 4 star range, underrated, should be in rivals250 TJones = 3 star but would be a 4 star had it not been for grades Barrow = very high 3 star, was 4 star before LSU declined to offer him early on This is a quality haul by LSU in terms of LBs this year. Best we've had since Les Miles has been here.
Probably the best in at least 10 years. However 2 of those are not commits and one of of the non commits has grade issues.
For whatever reason, La does not seem to produce great LBs on a consistent basis. Seems our best athletes get placed in other positions. I would expect Baker to break into the starting lineup next year or at least get playing time other than on special teams. There is no reason to think the new staff will have any loyalties to previous lineups. Given that LB is Chavis' position to coach up, I think he will just pick the best/fastest talent and go from there.
I want to see Baker on the field as much as possible, with whoever is better coming out of camp between Riley and Sheppard. We must keep the speed/athleticism on the field. We play so much nickel anyway that Coleman/McCray/C. Jones can be counted as an extra LB too. With Baker and Riley on the field with C. Jones, Coleman and McCray, even our Nickel package will be difficult to run the ball on. For short yardage packages I would have no qualms with Minter getting signif. time as well. Dude is a run stuffing machine.
Chad Jones will not move to LB, period. Baker should be a good one, but I'm not sure if he's learned the defense since he didn't get any snaps at LB all year. We essentially return all 3 starting LBs next season (if you consider how many games Beckwidth has missed the past 2 years). We've got a pretty good class of LBs this year - with Minter being the best of the bunch, IMO. Barrow's upside is limited, while Mingo has a long, long way to go before being a complete player.
