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Arden Key, the No. 3 weak side defensive end in the nation according to 247 Sports out of Hapeville Charter in Atlanta, signed with LSU last February over much closer schools South Carolina, Auburn and Georgia. He has been practicing with the first team this week as projected starter Tashawn Bower has been out with a minor injury.



At first glance, Key looks more like a larger wide receiver than a defensive end. He also immediately has reminded many of former Tiger defensive end Barkevious Mingo, who arrived at LSU out of West Monroe in 2009 also looking like a wide receiver at 6-foot-5 and 209. After redshirting that first season, Mingo played at 6-5 and 235 in 2010 as a regular backup before blossoming as a starter and an All-Southeastern Conference defensive end on the SEC championship team in 2011. He was the sixth pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by Cincinnati, where he remains today.

Key immediately caught LSU coach Les Miles’ eye as did Mingo, though LSU had much more defensive line depth in 2009 when he was redshirted. A red shirt is not in the plans for Key.

“He looks really just in great shape,” Miles said. “He’s up from 217 and strong and fast. He’s a guy that in my opinion will play a lot of snaps as a true freshman.”

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Freshman end Arden Key has also been impressive during fall practices and is making a move to earn early playing time in the regular season, according to sources.

Initially there was concern about Key's level of focus and discipline on the field, but coaches have been pleased with his maturity of late, according to a source. Key, who some coaches compare to former Tigers standout Barkevious Mingo, reported to LSU around 230 pounds; he played at 215 during his senior season in high school in Georgia.

LSU's practices are closed to the media, but multiple sources inside the program said Key's quickness and ability to "turn the corner" off the edge stands out. Key is expected to be in the two-deep rotation at defensive end, beginning against McNeese State