Three defenders key to LSU’s success

By David Moorman  |   Monday, July 07, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

LSU Tigers
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The Bednarik Award, given to college football's most outstanding player, was the one major postseason honor that eluded former LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey last year. Now, ex-teammates Tyson Jackson, Darry Beckwith and Ricky Jean-Francois -- all of whom have been placed on the Bednarik Award preseason watch list -- have a chance to make up for Dorsey's slight this season.

Jackson, Beckwith and Francois can’t be considered favorites to win the Bednarik Award. Yet without their contributions, LSU will be hard-pressed to defend its BCS national title, let alone win the Southeastern Conference Western Division again.

Jackson is heir apparent to Dorsey’s role as defensive leader after having collected 36 total tackles last season while amassing a team-high 15 quarterback hurries. The senior end has the quick moves and bursts of speed that characterize the LSU defense.

Francois, a junior tackle, missed the majority of last season while serving out a team suspension but made the most of his brief appearances in the BCS title game, blocking a momentum-changing field goal in LSU’s 38-24 victory over Ohio State and earning defensive MVP honors.

Beckwith has made an impact at linebacker since his freshman season and only injuries have hampered his effectiveness. As a junior last season, he collected 65 total tackles, just three fewer than senior end Kirston Pittman, who returns as LSU’s leading tackler.

With those three back in the fold, the Tigers -- despite the loss of Dorsey, among others -- still ought to have one of the nation's best defenses. Because of that, they should once again be in contention for a national championship.
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About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats ...
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