The LSU Tigers are no stranger to having big shoes to fill. After all, the Tigers routinely lose top threats to the NFL, with nine drafted this year alone. Although there is still quite a bit of cultivated talent on the roster, there are many uncertainties and questions left to be answered. One thing, however, is known for sure; LSU recruiting classes have no shortage on talent. Rivals.com ranked the Tigers' 2014 group second in the nation, only behind Alabama.
Quarterback
Sophomore quarterback Anthony Jennings got a taste of LSU's demanding nature under center late last season against Arkansas, taking over in the fourth quarter for Zach Mettenberger. Mettenberger was taken out of the game after a Razorback defender swept him to the ground - and tore his ACL, effectively cutting his collegiate career short by little more than a bowl game.
Jennings eased into his position quicker than some might have imagined. Despite a less-than-impressive start, the Marietta, Georgia native shook off the true freshman stiffness and early jitters to march the Bayou Bengals 99 yards down the field in less than two minutes. The drive that was capped off by a 49-yard bomb to Travin Dural, a play that is in both the minds of awed Tiger fans and with infamy in the gaze of the red-draped Razorback faithful.
Jennings found himself back in the proverbial hot seat over a month later, during his first career start, which happened to be in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day. An Iowa Hawkeyes squad proved to bring what was one of the closer matchups of the 2013 season.
He finished the game with 82 passing yards, accomplished with only seven passes complete out of the 19 launched from the nineteen-year-old's arm. While he had nearly equaled that yardage during his short tenure in the regular season finale, it was obviously an off night for the true freshman, despite the Tigers' close 21-14 victory.
This season, he will most likely end up sharing snaps at one point or another. There is a looming threat in the form of Brandon Harris, a true freshman from Boisser City, Louisiana's Parkway High School, who passed for nearly 200 yards in LSU's spring game.
"We're so far away from making a decision like that, I can't tell you," Les Miles remarked in a late July speech, with the latter comment referring to specifics about how the quarterback decision will be handled.
Wide Receivers
The Tigers bid adieu to top receiving threats such as Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham, Jr., and Kadron Boone while welcoming new faces like New Orleans' Malachi Dupre, who was ESPN.com's nationwide number-one wide receiver of the 2014 recruiting class, along with four other true freshmen. Those four freshmen are Abraham Wallace, D.J. Chark, Trey Quinn, and Tony Upchurch.
Travin Dural led this year's returners with seven receptions for 145 yards, including the aforementioned 49-yard grab against Arkansas.
Running Backs
Fans have seen loads of ground talent from the Tigers in recent years and last year's rushing leader, Jeremy Hill, could easily be used as a prime example. Senior Kenny Hilliard will be available, but Terrance Magee returns with over 600 rushing yards accumulated last season, a number second only to Hill's beast of a year with over 1,400 yards gained.
Youth abounds here as well. Leonard Fournette will open some eyes this season. The highly acclaimed true freshman out of Saint Augustine High School in New Orleans racked up over 7,600 career rushing yards in high school.
Offensive Line
This season's offensive line is mostly young, although it does include three seniors in La'el Collins, Evan Washington, and Hoko Fanaika, as well two juniors in Jonah Austin and Vadal Alexander. That mainly lists who to look for this season, but sophomore Jerald Hawkins is a notable threat.
Defense
LSU is returning seven defensive starters this season, which will still make for a strong front, with the newcomers included.
On the defensive line, senior end Jermauria Rasco stands out specifically. Rasco led last year's squad with four sacks for a combined total loss of twenty-five yards. At tackle, junior Quentin Thomas is a seasoned starter as well, as he recorded nine tackles in 2013.
Kwon Alexander, whose sixty-five tackles last season was fourth best on the team, will be the biggest threat at linebacker, while cornerback Jalen Mills, who was just recently reinstated following a suspension, could be a game changer. Mills tied Craig Loston for best on the year with three interceptions.
Specialists
Placekicker Colby Delahoussaye returns for his sophomore season and Jamie Keehn, the junior from Australia, is expected to take up the punting duties once more.
Terrance Magee is the kick returner with the most recorded returns last season (two) behind Odell Beckham, Jr., who dominated with 32 returns. In addition, Travin Dural added four punt returns.
Conclusion
This is a strong group; one filled with untapped talent, fresh skills, yet still bound together with strength and experience. Yes, this team will definitely be one to look this season, and although the Tigers endured some heavy losses and tougher competition, do not expect the winning ways of Les Miles' crew to sway anytime soon.