LSU Tigers to lean on talented transfers to carry the load in 2018

Prior to SEC Media Days July 16-19, Olin will preview each of Texas A&M's conference opponents for the 2018 season. First up, the LSU Tigers.

Highly-regarded recruiting classes are commonplace at LSU, which for a decade has had classes routinely ranked among the nation’s top 10.

Yet, in 2018 the Tigers are relying heavily on players that were originally recruited elsewhere. Three transfers figure to play pivotal roles in whether LSU enjoys another strong season or slips to 6-6 or worse as some have projected.

Seriously, quarterback Joe Burrow from Ohio State, receiver Jonathan Giles and defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko of Texas Tech very well could be the difference in success or failure for third-year coach Ed Orgeron, who is already feeling heat in Baton Rouge.

If those transfers make a positive impact at positions of concern, LSU could post at least nine victories for the 12th time in 15 seasons. If not, the Tigers could finish fifth or worse in the SEC West Division. That hasn’t happened since 1999.

LSU is not without great talent. Cornerback Greedy Williams and linebacker Devin White have All-American credentials. Defensive end Rashard Lawrence was the Tigers’ best defensive lineman in 2017. Guard Garrett Brumfield and tackle Saahdiq Charles, who earned freshman All-SEC recognition last year, are the foundation of the offensive line.

However, LSU needs a new starting quarterback. There is no proven running back. No returning receiver had more than 14 catches last season. Five new starters will appear on the defense’s front seven.

Obviously, the quarterback position is the greatest concern.

Well, that was until Burrow announced he’d come to Baton Rouge as a graduate transfer. Orgeron celebrated that by calling Burrow a “game-changer.” Burrow is likely better than any of LSU’s other choices, but he must prove to be more than hype. After all, he rarely got on the field at Ohio State.

His favorite target figures to become Giles, a big-play threat at Texas Tech where he had more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2016. But that was in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and primarily against soft Big 12 defenses. Duplicating Giles’ Big 12 production will be difficult.

LSU may have to rely heavily on its defense, especially in the first half of the season. That would seem problematic on the surface because so many of last year’s starters have departed.

But by all accounts Fehoko dominated on the scout team last season, and he’s expected to repeat that dominance this fall. He, Lawrence and Tyler Shelton, a 378-pound nose tackle who was ineligible last season, could evolve into one of the SEC’s best defensive lines.

LSU Tigers

• Coach: Ed Orgeron
• 2017 record: 9-4 overall, 6-2 in SEC West
• Postseason result: Lost to Notre Dame, 21-17, in the Citrus Bowl.

Returning starters (at least six starts)

• Offense: (5) G Garrett Brumfield, T Saahdiq Charles, G Ed Ingram, TE Foster Moreau, WR Stephen Sullivan
• Defense: (5) SS John Battle, FS Grant Delpit, DE Rashard Lawrence, OLB Devin White, CB Greedy Williams
• Special teams: P Josh Growden

Strengths: Though six starters must be replaced from 2017, the defense still projects to be quite strong. More specifically, the secondary could be among the best in the nation if a solid corner emerges opposite sophomore All-American Greedy Williams. Williams led the SEC with six interceptions last season and is arguably the conference’s best defensive back this year. The Tigers are also strong — as usual — at safety with returning starters John Battle and Grant Delpit. LSU was 21st in the nation in pass defense in 2017. With a little help from the pass rush and with an adequate second corner, the Tigers should be even better against the pass in 2018.

Areas of concern: In the past putting running back in this category would be ludicrous. The Tigers have been loaded at that position for about a decade. This year appears much different. No running back on the roster has scored a collegiate touchdown. The most productive is senior Nick Brossett, who has rushed for 306 yards in his career. Newcomers could help, but there is no back the caliber of Leonard Fournette or Derrius Guice to depend on.

Top players

Greedy Williams, CB: An NFL first-round draft choice in waiting, Williams established himself as a lockdown corner immediately. He’s been a starter since his first game and earned third team All-American recognition as a true freshman.

Devin White, LB: The very definition of an active, productive linebacker. In his first season as a starter last year, White led the SEC with 133 tackles, tied an LSU record with double-digit tackles in eight games and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week four times.

WR Jonathan Giles: A transfer from Texas Tech, Giles boosts an offense that is riddled with uncertainty. Two seasons ago he led Tech with 69 catches for 1,158 yards and 13 touchdowns. Of course, the offensive scheme in Baton Rouge is different, and he won’t have a NFL-caliber quarterback, so this year’s numbers don’t figure to be as gaudy. Still, this talented Houston native is dangerous.

Impact newcomer: Quarterback Joe Burrow is big, fast, athletic and described as a “football junkie.” Indeed, LSU coach Ed Orgeron was so elated to land the graduate transfer from Ohio State that he called Burrow a game-changer. Of course, this is the same coach that at Ole Miss anointed Brent Schaeffer as the starting quarterback before he even arrived on campus. The results were disappointing. Burrow could be more successful. He probably will be more successful. It would be a huge surprise if he doesn’t win LSU’s starting quarterback job. But the fact remains he never started at Ohio State and passed for just 287 yards in two seasons there.

2018 schedule

• Sept. 2 vs. Miami at Arlington
• Sept. 8 vs. Southeast Louisiana
• Sept. 15 at Auburn
• Sept. 22 vs. Louisiana Tech
• Sept. 29 vs. Ole Miss
• Oct. 6 at Florida
• Oct. 13 vs. Georgia
• Oct. 20 vs. Mississippi State
• Nov. 3 vs Alabama
• Nov. 10 at Arkansas
• Nov. 17 vs. Rice
• Nov. 24 at Texas A&M

Predicted finish: 6-6