re: Rank these LSU DB's based on their best year at LSU

Mathieu in 2011...and there is not really a close second.

No defensive player in LSU history has been more singularly impactful than he was that season. He forced 6 fumbles. Recovered 4. Had a pair of INTs, 11 PDs, and 7.5 TFLs. He scored 2 TDs on defense. And that doesn't even discuss his special teams impact. He almost single-handedly changed the trajectory of multiple big games where Les's terrible offensive approach was stuck in the mud going nowhere

v. Oregon, LSU's offense couldn't get out of its own way for the first quarter. Trailing 6-3, Mathieu strips the punt returner and picks up the fumble on a bounce to score LSU's first TD.

v. Arkansas LSU was terrible offensively. Digging themselves into a 14-0 hole. Mathieu returns a punt 92 yards for a TD to completely change the game.

v. Georgia LSU's offense was somehow even worse than against Arkansas. Another punt return TD completely flips the course of the game.

He was the SEC and National defensive POY, as well as a Heisman Trophy Finalist. For one season Mathieu was arguably the best defensive player, at any position, over the course of the last 20+ years.