The LSU Tigers’ defense is off to an incredible start this season. Despite the Tigers scoring no more than 23 points in all three games this season, LSU is still ranked as the number three team in the country and is undefeated through three games because of the play of the defense.
Through three games, LSU’s defense has played at a national championship level by only giving up three touchdowns in three games. At all three levels of the defense, they are all playing at a high level. The rushing defense has only given up 56 yards rushing per game at an average of 2.3 yards per carry. Meanwhile, the Tigers have already matched their season high last year in interceptions with six already through three games including five this past week against the Florida Gators. Despite the struggles offensively, LSU’s defense has been so dominant that they have kept their opponents at arm’s length at all times.
Looking at all the different metrics about how this defense has played is impressive, but perhaps the most impressive attribute about Blake Baker’s defense is their ability to play at a high level no matter the circumstances and who is in the game.
There have been times where backups had to step up in and increase their level of play. It all started before the Tigers kicked off their season on the road against Clemson when it was announced that starter AJ Haulcy had to sit out the first half, his backup Jardin Gilbert stepped right in and played one of his best games before Haulcy was able to step right back into action.
“Jardin is that kind of guy. He is a great leader and a veteran. When we found out about AJ, let’s get somebody on the field that has done this before and his experience showed. He was physical, communicated effectively, and did a phenomenal job. He is such a phenomenal piece of what we are doing.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on Jardin Gilbert
The Tigers needed their depth to step up again once more this past week and that is the linebacker core against Florida. On the first drive of the football game, the defense’s heart and soul Whit Weeks was ejected from the game because of a targeting call and then later on, his brother West Weeks would leave the game because of a calf injury. Because of the two Weeks brothers being unavailable, it meant more playing time for guys like Davhon Keys, Tylen Singleton, and even the third Weeks brother Zack. All three players did step up including Davhon Keys, who led the team in tackles against Florida with 14 stops.
“We played Ty Singleton. How many snaps has he had? He’s had three snaps all year. Davhon Keys had to play the whole game. Zach Weeks? He doesn’t even know where the Cox Center is for academic support.”
“Davhon Keys. Tylen Singleton. Those guys had to step up for us in a big moment. We had a lot going on. We were calling blitzes and simulated pressures and those kids did a really nice job.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
The depth has shined not only when it is needed, but Blake Baker has shown that he can roll many different players at different positions whenever he wants to keep players fresh.
Starting out with the defensive line, which has been rock solid against the run, and has created pressure with their front four has rolled out eight different linemen that have at least 63 snaps already this season. On the edge, Patrick Payton leads the way by being on the field 61% of the snaps along with Jack Pyburn for 59% of the snaps. Gabriel Reliford and Jimari Butler have shown to be just productive in getting around 40% of the defensive snaps so far. On the interior, Bernard Gooden, Dominick McKinley, Jacobian Guillory, and Ahmad Breaux have evenly rotated snaps with Gooden getting the most reps having action 61% of the time.
The production has also been even across the board as there is not one player that is statistically dominating the others. Davhon Keys is the team’s third linebacker option and he leads the team in tackles with 26. Out of the seven sacks this season, there have been 10 plays credited with at least a half sack or a full sacks and no player has more than two tackles for loss on the season. 13 players have been credited for at least a half tackle for loss. 7 players have been credited for pass breakups, and 11 players have been credited with at least one quarterback hurry.
The team’s leader in interceptions is their third string safety Dashawn Spears, who has been recognized as the SEC Defensive Player and National Player of the Week after a two-interception game against Florida, and he did that in only nine defensive snaps.
“For Dashawn, more than anything else, confidence. People ask me all the time how you build confidence in a group and that is make a play. He made a couple. That confidence is growing and we ill continue to see his growth because if you have four guys including Jardin Gilbert, who is an experienced player, you now put yourself in a good position there.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
Confidence has clearly spread across the entire unit as Spears, Tamarcus Cooley, AJ Haulcy, Mansoor Delane, and DJ Pickett all earned their first interceptions as Tigers this season. At cornerback, Ashton Stamps, who started all last season, is the team’s fourth option at cornerback behind Mansoor Delane, PJ Woodland, and DJ Pickett.
Depth and the unselfishness of this entire defense is what makes this such a fun defense to watch along with their discipline in being at the right spots. All of these reasons make LSU fans excited as it looks like the physical aggressive brand of Bayou Bandits football is back in Baton Rouge and it has taken a village to do it.
“It starts at the back end of the defense. Coverage ability and tackling. That stands out right away. The ability to cover down contested throws and tackling in the backend of the defense. Those things really start to show themselves. I think the front seven plays well together. It’s well-synched. They are just working well together. Having a second year in this scheme, and everyone feeling comfortable with Blake Baker’s scheme up front, and the coverage and tackling ability on the back end are two things I would highlight.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
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