There are a lot of reasons behind the turnaround of LSU’s defense and the coaching staff led by Blake Baker has definitely been a key as you can see below, but it has been the emergence of its leading tackler Whit Weeks that has also led to resurgence of the LSU defense.
Through seven games, Weeks has been on an absolute tear as one of the best defensive players in the country as he leads the SEC in tackles with 69. The Georgia native has been making plays from sideline to sideline with seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, three passes broken up, and an interception.
“It’s Whit Weeks. It was a pressure situation which he was blitzing, but what I think stands out is that he is active virtually all over the place. You saw a great play of him coming down later in the game at the line of scrimmage where the ball was going outside. He is an elite player in this league.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
It is not just the stats that has helped LSU become a strong defense once again, but it is the energy that he plays with that has given the Tigers its swagger back on that side of the football.
“He is a very good athlete. His athleticism has allowed him to play fast, instinctive, do things in pass coverage and covering tight ends down the field. He plays with an energy and a throwback at the linebacker position that has generated tons of excitement amongst the group. That’s what we are talking about other players. Do they elevate the other players around them? When Whit is in the game, he elevates the players around him. I think that is what he brings more than anything else.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on Whit Weeks
Weeks has come up big in some of the biggest games this year for the Tigers. Over the last two games against Ole Miss and Arkansas, he has combined for 28 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two passes defended, and an incredible interception that was reminiscent of another Tigers’ defensive legend.
His individual performances have elevated his play across the whole defense as the Tigers have not allowed any second half touchdowns the past two games.
“That’s what we expect. I mean, we’re the LSU Fighting Tigers. That’s the defense that you expect us to play so I’m proud of our guys and it is so fun to be out there with my 10 other brothers that are out there on the field. There isn’t anything like it. It is so much fun. There is nothing more fun than playing with these guys. I take us over anybody. Our energy on the sideline, our energy when we are out there, it is so much fun.”
LSU LB Whit Weeks
Weeks also feeds off the personality of his defensive coordinator Blake Baker quite perfectly as both are energetic guys that go off high emotion. As a former linebacker himself, Baker has helped develop some great linebackers including Damone Clark at LSU. Weeks credits Coach Baker for his recent emergence.
“I really credit Coach Baker. There is still so much more that I can do and there are plays that I should have made, but I didn’t. Coach Baker is going to get on me for them and he’ll coach me up good.”
LSU LB Whit Weeks
For the first time in a while, LSU’s defense is not only playing at a high level, but the energy and swagger is starting to come back thanks to its energetic sophomore linebacker from Georgia.
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