LSU defense "simple, fun, and fast"

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“The call is the call,” Aranda said at the high school coaching clinic at LSU last week. “You align to the field (wide side or short side), not to the offensive formation (strong side or weak side based on which side the tight end lines up at). And you just go.”

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So far, LSU’s defenders are having a blast despite the fact that they are on their third defensive coordinator in three years with John Chavis leaving following the 2014 season for Texas A&M and Kevin Steele bolting to Auburn after last season.

“It’s not a lot of adjusting to what the offense is doing,” said defensive tackle Christian LaCouture, a two-year starter who will be a senior next season. “I feel like we’ll be trying to make plays and keep the offense on their toes instead of the other way around. We’ll not be sitting back and letting them come to you. Coach Aranda’s brought that in. You’re attacking.”

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Godchaux had a one-word answer when asked what will be different about LSU’s defense in 2016.

“Violence,” he said. “Violence. Aggressive. I mean, coach Aranda’s laid back, but when you’re on the field you can tell by the play calling, he just turns it on. That’s what I love about him. Laid-back guy, not much hollering, but when you get on the field, you’re going to see aggressive play calling.”

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Aranda loves to play man-to-man coverage, thus freeing up his options for various blitzes or disguised blitzes. LSU is very strong at cornerback, particularly with Tre’Davious White returning for his senior season instead of becoming a likely first round NFL pick. There is also Dwayne Thomas, who started five games at cornerback as a junior, Keven Toliver II, who started seven as a freshman, and Donte Jackson, a track star and LSU’s fastest player who will return for his sophomore season in August after academic issues recently forced him out of spring practice.

“The ability to play man has always been at the forefront for me,” Aranda said. “And I’m really excited about the ability to do it here.”

Aranda has plenty more defense to put in, but the players feel that they will not be thinking too much and trying to remember where they are supposed to be as their opponents are about to snap the ball.

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