The Tigers defense is now under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones and improvements between last season and now are already being shown following Saturday’s spring game.
Head coach Ed Orgeron hired Jones in February, and it was clear he was taking on a major reconstruction project.
Last season LSU’s defense recorded some historic lows in defensive scoring and total defense under former defensive coordinator Bo Pelini following many instances of missed assignments and miscommunication. Many of those plays resulted in huge first downs for the opposing team and big yard gains that ultimately hurt the Tigers down the stretch.
Even though starting safety Todd Harris and cornerback Eli Ricks were on the sideline Saturday with injury, the secondary defense already looked much improved. During the scrimmage, the defense came up with five interceptions, three of those made by defensive backs.
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On the second-team defense, sophomore Raydarious Jones intercepted TJ Finley’s target pass and responded with a 39-yard return. Starting cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. also fielded a deep range pass from Finley and recorded an interception of his own.
But who really shined defensively on Saturday was sophomore Dwight McGlothern. Filling in for Ricks, he shined on his one-on-one coverage against
Tigers top receiver Kayshon Boutte and almost grabbed an interception against Myles Brennan.
The sophomore also knocked a pass loose with a big hit Jaray Jenkins in the second half.
This spring, Oregon and several others have been buzzing about Jay Ward’s move from corner to free safety, and he appeared to look extremely comfortable in his new position. He too nearly intercepted a pass — this time from Garrett Nussmeier.
Although it’s still too early to tell, Oregon seems to have made the right decision hiring Jones.
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