LSU’s defensive line in 2022 has the potential to be one of the program’s best of the last decade.
With edge rushers [autotag]BJ Ojulari[/autotag] — the most hyped member of the group — and [autotag]Ali Gaye[/autotag], who has battled injuries but has been great when healthy, the Tigers should have no issues getting pressure on the quarterback.
Meanwhile, former five-star recruit [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] is expected to make a name for himself as a big interior defensive end after an impressive true freshman campaign in 2021.
With all this talent, the fourth projected starter in the group has been a bit overshadowed. Junior [autotag]Jaquelin Roy[/autotag] appeared in nine games as a true freshman in 2020 and played in all 13 games last season, when he notched the only start of his career thus far.
His production has been limited in those two seasons, but after moving from the three-technique position to nose tackle this offseason — and gaining 15 pounds — the 6-foot-4, 315-pound player could be set to take a big leap this fall.
“I don’t know too many centers that are just going to block me one-on-one,” Roy told The Advocate’s Sheldon Mickles. “When I was playing the three-technique (as a tackle), I struggled with taking the inside step before I got out vertically.
“I’m in an even stance in the nose, so I can step right in and lift whatever the offensive lineman is doing. I can make a play fast. I can be a disturbance.”
Roy is a Baton Rouge native who played his high school ball for University Lab High School in the literal shadow of Tiger Stadium. He told Mickles that transferring following two lackluster seasons was not on his radar.
He’s intent on making an impact with his hometown team, and his change in approach this offseason has been noticed by his teammates on the defensive line.
“For Jaquelin, everything is clicking right now on and off the field,” Ojulari said. “He’s going to be a very dominant interior lineman for us this year.
“The sky’s the limit … I expect him to have a very dominant season.”
LSU has a lot of talent up front on defense, and if Roy can take the kind of leap that his teammates and coaches expect, it could be enough to take this unit from very good to elite.
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