Jean-Francois will lead nation’s best defensive line

By Lee Roberts  |   Thursday, July 17, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

LSU Tigers
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When Glenn Dorsey decided to return to LSU for his senior year of 2007, many believed that his presence would make the Tigers’ defensive line one of the best in the nation. So it stands to reason that with Dorsey currently ready to begin his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, the LSU D-line will take a step back this season. Believe it or not, though, the current crop of defensive linemen, led by tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, will be even better than last year’s outfit.

Jean-Francois missed 11 games last season because of a suspension, but he returned for the SEC and BCS championship games as a starter. After the BCS title game, the media raved over Dorsey’s performance and what it would do to his draft stock. Lost in all the attention poured on Dorsey was the fact Jean-Francois actually won the game's defensive MVP award. And despite only playing in two games last season, Jean-Francois is on the Bednarik Award watch list entering the upcoming campaign.

Along with Jean-Francois are two other outstanding senior tackles, Charles Alexander and Marlon Favorite. Alexander started the first three games last year before suffering a season-ending injury. In his absence, Favorite stepped into the starting role beside Dorsey. Behind them, junior Al Woods and sophomore Drake Nevis are capable reserves who played significant minutes last year because of the absences of Jean-Francois and Alexander.

To possess five capable defensive tackles is a luxury very few teams have, and LSU will use its depth at the position to be one of the stingiest teams in the country against the run this year.

The defensive end position won’t provide offensive lines any relief either. Senior ends Tyson Jackson and Kirston Pittman have experience and talent to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Jackson, like Jean-Francois, is on the Bednarik watch list, while Pittman is in his sixth year of eligibility. Those two combined for 29 quarterback hurries, 11.5 sacks and 103 tackles in '07, and one can only expect those numbers to climb because enemy offensive lines won't be able to double team anyone on the defensive line. LSU also has senior Tremaine Johnson, junior Rahim Alem and sophomore Lazarius Levingston to provide support to Jackson and Pittman at the end position.

LSU has so much talent – experienced talent – that it’s almost unfair to its opponents. Of course, that isn’t a concern for head coach Les Miles. His only problem is how to divide the minutes up among his stable of thoroughbreds. It’s a problem any coach in the country would love to have.
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About Lee Roberts

Born in Richmond, Va, I moved south to UNC-Chapel Hill for college and received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and cover Auburn, LSU and the ACC.
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