I think we would see Jackson and RJF at DE (Pittman, Johnson, Alem, Levingston and Blackwell would rotate). Alexander and Woods at DT (Aubrey, Nevis and Favorite would rotate). Will be interesting to see if we permanently convert RJF to DT, as he is a natural DE (and a great one at that). We are a little shorthanded experience wise at DT, morseo than DE). And we have yet to recruit a DT in this year's class. So maybe we need RJF at DT the next 2 years.
I can't deny that having fresh legs pressuring the QB would be a huge benefit. I hope that's how it works out. I hope we get to see alot of blitz packages.
RJF won't start over Alexander. Probably over Woods, however. I just don't know if we wanna waste his talent at DT, when he's a natural pass rushing DE and total monster.
However you break it down, it looks awsome. Especially with the return of rickey jean Francois to take Dorseys place. TJ and Pitt return. Chad Jones takes over for Steltz. Patrick Johnson starts at one CB along with either Phelon or Jai. Curtis Taylor has a breakout year. Linebacker is the question mark, but macCray bulks up a little bit in the spring and Shommari Clemons move to linebacker to shore up the position along with incoming Ryan Baker who sees time as a true freshman all pushing Beckwith, Riley and Sheppard hard. . Steffon Francis becomes a key backup at safety. depth on the d-line is going to be ridiculous and punishing to opposing teams. The :milesmic: hires Tenuta and we once again return to an all out attacking style of defense. The defense once again dominates. Fear the hat.
RJF has played both tackle and end at various points, but I expect him to be a starter at one of the DE slots opposite Tyson Jackson and possibly ahead of Kirston Pittman if he is granted a medical year... Like islst pointed out, we will have a healthy rotation of DE's throughout the season and that depth is a HUGE benefit for us. In long passing situations, I'd like to see LSU go with a defensive line of: Tyson Jackson and Pittman on the ends (Pittman is a proto-typical speed rusher)... I'd like RJF to then slide down to one of the tackle spots to take advantage of his speed on the inside. He's already shown he's more than capable of being strong enough to line up on the inside.
I expect Tyson Jackson & Beckwith to both come back, and Kirston Pittman to enter the draft. If Alexander comes back to full health, I think we've got enough depth at DT to see RJF primarily at DE. It's tough to find an instance where Miles has played a younger player over a younger player over an older player, as he seems to favor seniority (Toliver is the only player I can think of). This has implications for DT & CB. Drake Nevis could get one of the DT starting roles, although Favorite & Alexander will be the favorites. Jai Eugene & Chris Hawkins have to be the favorites for CB based on seniority & experience, but we've got a lot of young talent on board behind them - including the #1 CB recruit in the country who is enrolling this Spring.
Kevin Sheppard & Perry Riley, IMO. We have almost no depth at LB, except our incoming true freshmen (although I expect a current player or two to be converted to LB, like Corbin or Clemons) - Baker probably will not redshirt & provide immediate depth. We can't afford injuries at this position next year. I'm hard pressed to not pick Chad Jones as a starter at one of these 2 positions. I think we'll see Curtis Taylor at FS & Chad Jones at SS. Dime back... Phelon Jones?
