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SL’s Granier gives verbal commitment to SEC’s Vanderbilt
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When a college football program loses 11 underclassmen to the NFL, it’s only natural for critics to doubt the team’s prospects for success in the upcoming season.
But LSU coach Les Miles had a clear message for naysayers: Don’t count out the Tigers’ 2013 squad just yet.
With experience on offense and a lot of young talent on defense, Miles believes this year’s LSU team will be competitive with the rest of the SEC.
“I like the position of the program,” Miles said Thursday from SEC Media Days in Alabama. “I think we’ve kind of made our mark over time. We’re looking forward to this fall.”
LSU teams of years past were defensive powerhouses that mixed a little bit of offense into its attack.
But the 2013 squad in Baton Rouge may be ready to put points on the scoreboard.
LSU returns eight of 11 starters within its offense – a group that includes quarterback Zach Mettenberger, halfbacks Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard and receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham.
That group was inconsistent in 2012. But with esteemed offensive coordinator Cam Cameron now calling the plays in Baton Rouge, Miles believes the Tigers have room to take a massive leap forward.
“Knowing him as a mentor to quarterback play, knowing him as a quality man and friend, and knowing what he’ll really do for us in a play-calling position, we’re looking forward to this offense (under Cameron),” Miles said. “We feel like we’ll have an opportunity to be very dominant there. Certainly they’re playing much more confidently.”
Confidence and comfort were two words used commonly with LSU’s players throughout the duration of media day – especially by Mettenberger, who is looking to build on his statistically mediocre 2012 year and establish himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC.
“It’s definitely more comfortable now,” Mettenberger said. “With everything, you know what to expect. Last year, I had a lot of ups and downs in learning. I’ve learned a lot more getting comfortable with myself and with the team.”
While talking about LSU’s offense, Miles also addressed the status of sophomore halfback Jeremy Hill.
Hill was a powerful rusher as a true freshman last season for LSU.
But he was arrested this offseason following a bar room fight at a Baton Rouge nightclub.
Hill has since pleaded guilty to a simple battery charge in the melee.
Miles suspended the halfback once the fight became public. He said this week that Hill remains indefinitely suspended for his role in the brawl.
“(He) has a legal entanglement,” Miles said. “At this point in time, he remains indefinitely suspended. I have a track record with really disciplining my team. We go through the same process that all of my guys will go through. … We are gathering information as we go.”
On defense, LSU returns just four starters and will likely play its best football as the season progresses.
“We lost eight guys,” Miles said. “The good news is we’ll be a talented football team – but youthful.”
Anthony Johnson and Ego Ferguson will anchor a defensive line that will aim to replace Bennie Logan, Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery.
Miles said Jermauria Rasco, Danielle Hunter, Tashawn Bower and Lewis Neal will also be counted on along the line.
At linebacker, the Tigers will be experienced with Lamin Barrow and Tahj Jones returning from last year’s unit.
Barrow was one of LSU’s leading tacklers a year ago.
He’s a guy Miles expects to make a big leap forward in the new year.
“Lamin Barrow is a team leader – a guy I wish I brought with me (to media day) to be honest with you,” Miles said. “He’s a guy that has provided us leadership since he’s been here.”
In the Tigers’ secondary, Craig Loston, Jalen Mills and Jalen Collins also return.
Loston said he knows this year’s defense is young. But he said he believes the team will rally around defensive coordinator John Chavis and field a competitive group.
“I’ve very confident that the younger guys can step up and fill the holes,” Loston said. “These young guys have played in some big games, and I believe they won’t have a problem stepping up and filling their new roles.
“Not much will change. … We all know the scheme and the position that (Chavis) puts us in.”
One of the things that will stand in LSU’s way is a brutal schedule that pits the Tigers against TCU, Alabama, Georgia and Ole Miss – all away from Tiger Stadium.
LSU will also host Florida and Texas A&M.
Miles said he knows that challengers are lining up to knock LSU off its blocks.
But he believes his youthful team will get everyone’s attention in the new season.
“Again, I like us,” Miles said. “I like us in any game.”
LSU football coach Les Miles (left) talks to Tigers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron during the team’s spring football game in Baton Rouge. Miles said that he expects LSU to be a strong team in 2013, despite losing more than 10 underclassmen to the NFL Draft.
