2014 Linebackers

Trying to stir some good discussion on the linebacking corps this spring

So far the depth chart has looked like this (for the most part this spring):

WILL
4 Kwon Alexander
40 Duke Riley
xx Donnie Alexander

MIKE
31 DJ Welter
52 Kendall Beckwith
xx Clifton Garrett

SAM
23 Lamar Louis
45 Deion Jones
22 Ronnie Feist


I know a lot of people are focused on the men in the middle. Welter has held on to the first team job, supposedly continuing to build on his performance in the bowl game vs Iowa. He's a player Chavis really trusts, he knows the D, gets the DLine set up (especially lining up the tackles correctly). Beckwith has made the full time switch to Mike after getting some reps as a pass rusher last fall. And of course the arrival of Clifton Garrett has been anticipated by many.

Kwon Alexander has made the switch from Sam last fall to Will this year, taking over Lamin Barrow's spot. Lamar Louis has shifted outside to the Sam spot, a move I've always wanted him to make given his size and skill set. Debo Jones has seen time at both outside positions the past couple years, primarily the weakside, but is seeing most of his reps this spring at Sam.

Some other notes, Duke Riley is a little banged up as of late and has been held out, currently in a walking boot. Ronnie Feist is back at outside linebacker. Feist played a reserve Mike role his true freshman year, moved to a pass rushing DE the following spring only to redshirt last fall after being lost in the shuffle of position changes. Odd that he is listed as a JR on the LSU site, not as a RsSo. At Tuesday's practice, with some bodies missing Debo and Feist flanked Beckwith in the middle. Also, walkon freshman Jonathan Rucker (#51) from Ponchatoula has been active in practice, whether it be in the big cat drill or filling in because of numbers in the spring. (the next, smaller version of, Jarrett Hardnett?)

So far, Beckwith, Louis, Alexander, and Feist have all seen some time in green jerseys...and Duke Riley is currently nursing an injury. I like the moving around of positions. Nice to see some players showing versatility, probably also moving into their best spots to succeed on the field. I look for this group to improve off of last season's performance. Lamin Barrow will be missed, but Welter and Alexander return as leaders, and I look for them to improve on last year's campaign. Beckwith is going to come along nicely, Louis as well. Debo will push those ahead of him for PT, and Duke Riley wont be quiet either. I expect to see a little more rotation from Chavis with this group, as the squad is filled with more veterans who will definitely push those ahead of them to steal some PT.

What say y'all? Expectations, comments, questions on the linebacking corps, both this spring and the coming fall?