With so many new faces on this year’s LSU roster, there are a number of positions of concern entering into the season. Defensive line is not among them.
The Tigers have a talented group that features veterans [autotag]Jaquelin Roy[/autotag] and [autotag]Ali Gaye[/autotag], as well as edge rusher [autotag]BJ Ojulari[/autotag], who is expected to be one of the SEC’s best pass rushers.
But perhaps the most intriguing member of the group is [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag], a sophomore and former five-star recruit who appeared in nine games and started four during an impressive true freshman campaign in 2021. Smith is expected to have a breakout season, and he was listed by Athlon as one of 50 breakout candidates in college football this fall.
Smith may not post huge statistics as the anchor in the middle of LSU’s defensive line, but the trajectory of his career in Baton Rouge is clearly pointing up. The Louisiana native impressed with 19 stops (five for a loss) and four sacks in nine games as a true freshman last fall.
As mentioned above, Smith may not rake in the stats this season. But his 6-foot-5, 300-pound frame makes him an absolute menace up front that should hinder opponents’ rushing attacks while also wreaking havoc on passing downs.
LSU expects big things from Smith this year, and after the season he turned in last year, he should take a major leap in Year 1 with [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] as his defensive coordinator.
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