Attrition from start of season:
Starting OLB Tahj Jones (academic suspension)
Staring CB Tyrann Mathieu (dismissal)
Backup OT Evan Washington (academic suspension)
Backup OLB DJ Welter (academic suspension)
Backup TE Tyler Edwards (academic suspension)
Backup WR Travin Dural (season-ending injury)
Attrition early in the season:
Starting LT Chris Faulk (season-ending injury)
Starting RB Alfred Blue (injured; projected return in late November)
Backup DE Jordan Allen (season-ending injury)
Recent personnel losses:
Starting OLB Kwon Alexander (broken ankle; season-ending)
Starting OG Josh Williford (concussion; probable out)
Starting LT/RT Alex Hurst (personal matters; will not play)
Vulnerability Points:
Offensive Line:
LT Josh Dworacyk SR - long-time OG converted to OT to start in place of Chris Faulk
LG La'el Collins SOPH - first year starter
OC PJ Lonergan SR - third year starter
RG Trai Turner rFR - started first game vs South Carolina in place of Josh Williford
RT Vadal Alexander FR - started 2 games on the year in place of Alex Hurst
The offensive line has been a huge problem ever since all-SEC LT Chris Faulk suffered a season-ending knee injury. From then on, the offensive line has seen a different combination of linemen in every game with each time yielding very disappointing results until the game vs South Carolina with an OG starting at LT and two freshmen manning the right side of the OL. We will see how this combination responds in a hostile environment.
Linebacker:
SLB Lamar Louis FR - will start first game in place of Kwon Alexander
MLB Kevin Minter JR - second year starter
WLB Lamin Barrow JR - first year starter
The LSU linebackers held Gator RB Gilleslee in check for most of the game until Kevin Minter had to go into the locker room and Kwon Alexander suffering a broken ankle soon after. Depth after the first string LB's is almost entirely made up of true freshmen.
Secondary:
CB Tharold Simon JR - second year starter
CB Jalen Mills FR - first year starter
NB Jalen Collins rFR - first season playing as nickleback
SS Craig Loston JR - first year starter
FS Eric Reid JR - second year starter
The LSU secondary took a hit when Morris Claiborne decided to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft and then it took another major hit when Tyrann Mathieu got dismissed from the team. Outside of 3 players, the entire group of DB's is made up of freshmen and mostly inexperienced players. If LSU goes to a dime package to defend extra receivers, expect 3 freshmen DB's on the field at the same time.
[This message has been edited by JapanLSUfan (edited 10/18/2012 9:49a).]
Starting OLB Tahj Jones (academic suspension)
Staring CB Tyrann Mathieu (dismissal)
Backup OT Evan Washington (academic suspension)
Backup OLB DJ Welter (academic suspension)
Backup TE Tyler Edwards (academic suspension)
Backup WR Travin Dural (season-ending injury)
Attrition early in the season:
Starting LT Chris Faulk (season-ending injury)
Starting RB Alfred Blue (injured; projected return in late November)
Backup DE Jordan Allen (season-ending injury)
Recent personnel losses:
Starting OLB Kwon Alexander (broken ankle; season-ending)
Starting OG Josh Williford (concussion; probable out)
Starting LT/RT Alex Hurst (personal matters; will not play)
Vulnerability Points:
Offensive Line:
LT Josh Dworacyk SR - long-time OG converted to OT to start in place of Chris Faulk
LG La'el Collins SOPH - first year starter
OC PJ Lonergan SR - third year starter
RG Trai Turner rFR - started first game vs South Carolina in place of Josh Williford
RT Vadal Alexander FR - started 2 games on the year in place of Alex Hurst
The offensive line has been a huge problem ever since all-SEC LT Chris Faulk suffered a season-ending knee injury. From then on, the offensive line has seen a different combination of linemen in every game with each time yielding very disappointing results until the game vs South Carolina with an OG starting at LT and two freshmen manning the right side of the OL. We will see how this combination responds in a hostile environment.
Linebacker:
SLB Lamar Louis FR - will start first game in place of Kwon Alexander
MLB Kevin Minter JR - second year starter
WLB Lamin Barrow JR - first year starter
The LSU linebackers held Gator RB Gilleslee in check for most of the game until Kevin Minter had to go into the locker room and Kwon Alexander suffering a broken ankle soon after. Depth after the first string LB's is almost entirely made up of true freshmen.
Secondary:
CB Tharold Simon JR - second year starter
CB Jalen Mills FR - first year starter
NB Jalen Collins rFR - first season playing as nickleback
SS Craig Loston JR - first year starter
FS Eric Reid JR - second year starter
The LSU secondary took a hit when Morris Claiborne decided to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft and then it took another major hit when Tyrann Mathieu got dismissed from the team. Outside of 3 players, the entire group of DB's is made up of freshmen and mostly inexperienced players. If LSU goes to a dime package to defend extra receivers, expect 3 freshmen DB's on the field at the same time.
[This message has been edited by JapanLSUfan (edited 10/18/2012 9:49a).]