Like the Ducks, the LSU Tigers are loaded in the secondary. Head coach Les Miles graduated the Jim Thorpe Award Winner in Patrick Peterson, a shutdown corner who also excelled in the return game, but Miles says, “I don’t want to say that I think Mo Claiborne is faster than Patrick Peterson…..but I think Mo Claiborne is faster than Patrick Peterson.” Claiborne will cover the Ducks’ best pass receiver, and he may also take over from Peterson returning kicks and punts. The Ducks special teams have to contain him. Think Cliff Harris with better driving habits.
#17 on your program and #1 in the hearts of the Bayou Bengal faithful, Claiborne is 6-0, 185, a physical corner who had 44 tackles, six pass breakups and five interceptions last year, earning second team All-SEC in a conference loaded with cornerbacks. The Louisiana native ran the 100 meters in 10.76 in high school, making him a shade slower than Duck speedsters like LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and Dior Mathis. He can only catch them if he has an angle.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis has a bit of uncertainty at linebacker this season, and against the Ducks he’s likely to use his depth in the secondary to compensate, often employing five and six defensive backs to get more speed and mobility on the field. Oregon likes that matchup, having plenty of speed and mobility of their own.
At the other starting cornerback, it’s been a battle in camp between 6-3, 187-lb. sophomore Tharold Simon (#24) and last year’s nickleback, #7 Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu is 5-9, 175, and a fan favorite for his hustling, alert play. Last season coming off the bench he was fourth on the team in tackles with 57. Saturday Night Slant’s Kris Brauner adds, “He had 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 9 passes defended, 3 fumble recoveries and 5 forced fumbles. He was a difference maker, plain and simple.”
Brandon Taylor and Craig Loston start at the safeties. Taylor is a steady senior at strong safety. #18, 6-0, 194, Taylor is a two-year starter who had 44 tackles last season despite missing the last four games with a foot injury. According to the official Tiger website, “One of the new traditions at LSU is for the player that best represents what it means to be a Tiger – on and off the field – to wear No. 18 … He was selected by Coach Miles and former No. 18s – Matt Mauck, Jacob Hester, Richard Dickson and Richard Murphy – to inherit that number this season.” If Oregon had a special number, what would it be?
Loston, from the Houston area, was rated the number one safety coming out of high school in his recruiting year of 2009, a consensus 5-star recruit and a Parade All-American. Now a sophomore, he’s only just starting to realize his potential. He started in last year’s Cotton Bowl as a redshirt freshman, recording 22 tackles on the year. Loston too is big and physical, 6-2, 208, good size for a free safety.
The Tiger defensive backs are ball hawks. Darron Thomas must read them well, look them off, and make good choices with the football. They’ll fly to the football and be very opportunistic if he makes unforced errors. To beat LSU, Thomas and his receivers need to have a productive game through the air. As much as any other unit, they have to rise to the level of competition.
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