Many expected 2020 to be a bit of a rebuilding year for LSU, considering it lost a large part of its roster and notable names within the coaching staff after the 2019 national championship season.
But the bar was still set much higher than the underwhelming 5-5 finish the Tigers ended the year with.
In 2021, LSU has the ability to bounce back and has the pieces in place with a strong battle at the quarterback position, having returned the starting offensive line and with a deep defensive line to accomplish that goal.
Tigers edge rusher Ali Gaye could have been selected in the 2021 NFL Draft at a decent position this year after playing just one season in Baton Rouge, but he elected to come back.
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The bond he felt with the group and his personal goals were the primary factors in that decision.
“The closeness we had last year and the way we ended, I felt we could have a better season,” he told reporters. “I didn’t want that to be my year, the only year I had here at LSU. I had a bigger vision for being here, which was to win games and build a strong bond with my teammates and guys I’ve gotten close with.”
The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder was one of the Tigers’ most steady players on defense last season, totaling 32 tackles (19 solo), two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception.
It will be interesting to see how things shake out for Gaye and the LSU defense in 2021, now led by defensive coordinator Daronte Jones after the departure of Bo Pelini earlier this offseason.
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