Freshmen Will Get Their Shot on Defensive Line

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Number of rookies could see significant action up front on defense

by Matt Reynolds
Tiger Rag Assistant Editor

(At left) Sam Montgomery (99) will see the field in 2009. (Photo by Matt Reynolds)

Every star high school recruit dreams of it. While every prospect looks forward to playing on Saturday in various coliseum’s across the country, a shot at the big show is the ultimate goal for many young players

Freshman defensive lineman Bennie Logan said at LSU Media Day that one of the deciding factors of his decision to come to Baton Rouge rather than various Big Ten and Big XII schools that offered him was the number of Tiger defensive lineman that have gone on to the next level.

The Tigers defensive lineman’s success and eventual road to the NFL over the past decade has been an ace LSU has had up its sleeve in the recruiting world recently. And for a young player like Logan, seeing the NFL draft 13 Tiger defensive lineman over the last ten years certainly stamps a program like LSU as a powerhouse.

Four of those former Tigers (Anthony McFarland (’99), Marcus Spears(’05), Glenn Dorsey (’08) and Tyson Jackson (’09)) were first round draft picks, while six in that ten year span were first team All-Americans.

In the “what have you done for me lately” world of college football the LSU Tigers, well, have done quite a lot in staking claim as one of the premiere colleges in terms of building mega-stars on the defensive line.

But with the 2009 season just two short weeks from kicking off, the Tigers find themselves without a super prospect up front on the defensive side of the ball. The ridiculously early 2010 NFL mock draft boards that were released shortly after the ‘09 draft, heralded defensive tackle Al Woods as a possible top ten pick. For whatever reason, that no longer is the case as NFLDraftScout.com has the LSU senior now listed as the 20th best defensive lineman prospect in the 2010 draft.

(At left) Al Woods (Photo by Matt Reynolds)

While many scouts may now be reverting to the “show me” method now when it comes to Woods, the 6-4, 310 pound senior has the full confidence of the LSU coaching staff after a solid Fall Camp. Woods has been said to be “all hype and no substance” up to this point in his career, but new defensive line coach Brick Haley has said repeatedly over the course of camp that Woods has set himself apart both as a player, and a leader.

In Woods defense, he hasn’t exactly been pushed down in the depth chart in the past by a bunch of scrubs. Lombardi Award winner Glenn Dorsey, now San Fransisco 49er Ricky Jean-Francois and Carolina Panther Marlon Favorite are just a few of the players Woods has been backing up in the past.

This season, LSU will have some fairly un-experienced vets they will be relying on at the defensive line, which means that some young talent will get some playing time early on in the season.

Woods, junior Drake Nevis and Charles Alexander is how the depth chart reads at tackle coming out of the fall. Nevis has played sparingly over the last two season, showing great possibilities, while Alexander, in the best shape of his life, is entering his sixth and final year of an injury ridden career in Baton Rouge.

It’s no doubting that All-SEC talent Rahim Alem will hold down one starting end spot, but who may be lining up on the other side to this point is still to be determined due to an injury to junior Pep Levingston. The Ruston (La.) High product looked to be on his way to a starting spot, but has not participated in practice in over a week due to a hand injury.

This leaves a herd of young talent chomping at the bits over Fall Camp to get a chance to impress the coaching staff in hopes of filling the depth charts.

And after Saturday’s scrimmage, it’s apparent that a couple true freshmen did just that.

“In the defensive end spot, Michael Brockers appears to me to be a guy that is going to have to play, whether it’s on special teams or some downs out there at end,” Miles said. “He just has a heady feel to him and he’s a tough guy to block.”

Brockers looks the part of a prototypical NFL defensive end physically. At 6-6, 285 the Houston native has been the talk of the camp along with fellow frosh end Sam Montgomery.

“I think Sam is going to be a very good player and both he and Brockers got key snaps today,” Miles said after Saturday’s scrimmage.

Judging by Miles comments it would appear that redshirt freshmen Chancey Aghayere and Chase Clement are now fighting from behind to try and work themselves into the shuffle.

Miles said the reason Brockers and Montgomery have moved up so quickly is not only the fact that there is a need at their position, but also because of the talent each displays on the playing field.

“There are guys that they are in front of (in the depth chart). But it’s all about their abilities rather than need at the position.”
- Les Miles

Logan, who was recruited as a defensive end, has been moved to the tackle for the time being, but is another freshman that could also find his way into the defensive end mix in backup duties.

At the defensive tackle spot, it looked as if JUCO newcomer Akiem Hicks was the forth man behind Woods, Nevis and Alexander. But Hicks has also suffered an injury which has kept him from practicing for over a week. This allowed true freshmen Chris Davenport and Josh Downs to put up good cases against leaving their redshirt off this season.

Miles said last Wednesday that he loved Downs’ “hot motor” and that both true freshmen appear to be game ready to play on Saturdays.

And “game ready” has really been the theme of the whole camp for the LSU defense.

New defensive coordinator John Chavis said he wanted to have nearly 30 players game ready by the time LSU travels to Seattle for its season opener against the Washington Huskies.

Given the history of the defensive tackle position, it’s almost certain injuries will force Chavis to scroll down his options at some point this season. Having young talent ready to fill those voids may become critical down the road.