re: Dashawn spears is the biggest X factor in the safety room

Whatever we gotta do to keep Gilbert off the field, I’m with it

We haven't had competent (not even good but competent) safeties in like 6 years. Shocking for a state like Louisiana with all of our athletes

I like Spears..true freshman with playing time last year....that's hard.

He's stronger and should be more comfortable this year in the SEC. I think next year he could be competing for recognition for SEC awards.

I've always like the tall guys at Safety...as long as they can break down on tackles and lay the occasional monster legal hit to scare WRs.

He's a keeper..

Unfortunately he transferred out for me in EA CFB26

Not a single mention of Toviono in this entire thread. Am I missing something?

Haulcy, Spears/Toviano, Cooley, Gilbert. Hopefully they'll all stay healthy, and we'll have experience, talent and depth for the first time in a while. Now it's up to coaching! Along with Rogers and the talented freshmen, Jimcoily.

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spears outperformed him in spring camp. I think he’s a better fit at nickel than FS imo

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I highly doubt this. 2024 stats:

Cooley: 3 INTs, 6 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 Sack
Spears: 0 INTs, 1 PD, 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 sack

I don't think many people here will understand how big 6 turnovers and 6 PDs are. That is easily a difference in going 11-1 or 9-3 from just that alone.

Cooley starts over Spears.

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highly doubt this. 2024 stats: Cooley: 3 INTs, 6 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 Sack Spears: 0 INTs, 1 PD, 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 sack I don't think many people here will understand how big 6 turnovers and 6 PDs are. That is easily a difference in going 11-1 or 9-3 from just that alone. Cooley starts over Spears.

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Respectfully the stats you just said are completely pointless. For one he put up those stats in the ACC, SEC is a whole other ballgame have to see if he can translate that production to here . Two, your comparing a 2nd year player in the ACC to a true freshmen who was just getting comfortable to the college game.


Three, have you watched his film our just read the box score ? He put up those stats at mainly nickel he didn’t have many snaps at all as a FS so goin from a nickel to a SEC fs is a gigantic jump spears actually has more experience as a FS in the SEC than Cooley. Not to mention the year 1 to year 2 jump is real spears was a top 60 recruit in the country it would not surpsie anyone if he puts it all together and earns a spot this year. You don’t just Guarentee guys spots because of ACC production did you learn nothing from the Syracuse corner we got a couple years back ? He had great stats in the ACC and proceeded to look overwhelmed by SEC athletes.

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Top 20 would almost be historic. From the worse in the NCAA to below average last year, an average LSU defense this year would be a blessing.

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I agree, but I will provide my rationale. 2023 the D was somewhere north of 100th under House. I'm not definite, but I did hear one of the sports analysts say we finished somewhere around 54th last season with a lot of questionable starters and limited depth.

I'll start with FR contributors on DL. 3 of our best were Dom, Reliford and Breaux so it's not hard to anticipate improvement from FR to Soph. Our best DT going into 24' was Guillory who was lost in the 1st game. Now he's back and has one last chance to show scouts how good he is.

DT depth: We now add some big boys to help vs run with Zion and Mitchell at 350+lbs.

DE: Pyburn for Savion. Payton for Swinson. Add Butler and Reliford returns. Swinson did well last season, but was not a very productive transfer compared to Payton who has day 1-2 draft potential. Pyburn is a TFL machine compared to Savion.

LB: Whit back and Perk at a better position at Star. I'm also very high on Keys. I think becomes a Devin White type player before he leaves LSU. He has very similar size and athleticism

Safety: Haulcy is better than anything LSU has had since BK took over. Cooley provides either a starter or insurance if Spears doesn't step up. Toviano back at his natural position. Gilbert played hurt most of the seasonand is healthy now. Regardless, our options are much better than Sage, Burns and a gimpy Gilbert.

CB: We'll miss ZY Alexander, but we return a seasoned Stamps and Woodland with additions of Delaine, Jackson and Pickett. There's no way CB isn't better.

Summary: With an infusion of talent, experience and depth expect Baker to play a much more aggressive, attacking style defense that yields more TFLs and turnovers.