By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
LSU junior safety Dashawn Spears was asked Thursday if there is a “huge speed difference in this fall camp as opposed to the last two years” as new coach Lane Kiffin and his offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis Jr., have installed a much more up tempo offense.
He gave a double answer.
“Oh yeah, if you ask anybody in the building, I think, it’s a night and day difference from last year, obviously,” he said with a smile.
Then he applied the rest of his answer to the big picture.
“And then this year, we’re really trying to win it all, so really, really different,” said Spears, who was the No. 2 safety in the nation and No. 3 prospect in Louisiana in 2025 when he signed from Denham Springs High.
In addition to being forced to play faster on defense in reaction to the offense, Spears also finds himself at a new position. After playing as a third safety last season, he moved last spring to the star position, replacing linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (sixth round pick by Atlanta in last NFL Draft) at star.
The star is a combination of defensive back and linebacker with more run coverage than a regular safety in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s attack.
Blake Baker sought advice from Jay Johnson while considering switching hats to Tulane or Memphis after last season:https://t.co/fHjeiyAWgH
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) August 14, 2026
“I’ve embraced it pretty well,” said Spears, who made 29 tackles last season with a sack and two interceptions. His 58-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Tigers a 20-10 lead in the third quarter of the 20-10 win over Florida. He played as a sixth defensive back in passing situations last year, which is similar to his star role.
“I put five pounds of weight on because I’m in the box (closer to the line of scrimmage) and for more tackling,” he said. “It’s a good role for me. I would say I’ve had some growing pains – the first time playing star for me was in the spring. But I think I’m a perfect fit for it, being a versatile player coming in for the run and I can guard in coverage.”
The stress of the position change has eased.
“It was definitely fast for me at the star with the new offense, but it’s slowed down with me watching extra film,” Spears said.
That will help when LSU plays up tempo teams this season.
“I’ll have my normal calm demeanor out there, reading things and everything being in slow motion, so I can play faster,” Spears said. “It’s slowed down for us because we’re getting used to that fast pace of a Lane Kiffin offense.”
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