re: Who is/was the best to ever play football at LSU???

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Please give your list and your reasons why.

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These discussions are always interesting, as you will see some posters not mention a player who was at LSU prior to 2000, and others who won't name a player who played after Bert Jones.

Invariably, the discussion gravitates (although not exclusively) towards offensive skill players, predominantly running backs, notably Billy Cannon (and lets not forget that, while an incredibly gifted running back, he was also an excellent defender, during the days where football was played by men), and Kevin Faulk. Both were tremendous athletes who produced on offense and in the return game. Both could have excelled at a number of positions, exclusively. Cannon won the Heisman, and if there were a specific award for "All-Purpose" back, Faulk might have won it twice.

Having said that, football is primarily a game of violence. I enjoy defensive football. So to break from some of the more cliche choices, I will start with Tommy Casanova, but many others have listed him. There really isn't another player in LSU history with his credentials. Certainly LSU has some outstanding DBs, just recently, Landry, Webster, Steltz, and in the 1970s, Mike Williams and Chris Williams were also outstanding (All but Chris Williams made someone's All-American team, and Chris Williams is still the career interception leader for LSU).

As for LBs, LSU has had a slew of great ones. The best are Michael Brooks, literally born to play the position, George Bevan, Mike Anderson and Bradie James. Same for defensive linemen, particularly DTs, LSU has had so very many outstanding ones over the years. However, Dorsey and McFarland stand out. Dorsey won nearly every award for which he was eligible as a senior, except the Heisman. There were stretches of games where McFarland was even better than a healthy Dorsey.

Offensively, the skill players have been done to death. Going back to my theme of violence, LSU has produced some truly outstanding offensive guards (we have had more trouble with tackles). Roy Winston, Eric Andolsek, and Alan Faneca are the three that stand out the most. As for centers, LSU has been blessed as well. Probably Nacho Albergamo, Ben Wilkerson, and Max Fuglar, and in that order. Todd McClure gets an honorable mention. I believe that McClure was one of the most underrated players, at least by LSU fans, during his time here.