Tag: Derek Stingley Jr.

Could LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr. wear No. 7 in 2020?

Stingley seems like the obvious choice for LSU to wear No. 7 in Chase’s absence.

Now that star wideout Ja’Marr Chase is expected to opt out of the 2020 season, there’s no shortage of speculation surrounding who will wear No. 7 for LSU football.

The jersey number bears significance, worn by the top playmaker for LSU that season on offense or defense.

Safety Grant Delpit wore it last season, following the likes of running back Leonard Fournette, wide receiver D.J. Chark, safety Tyrann Mathieu and cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Delpit had a solid season wearing the number, though he didn’t have the same type of dominance we saw from him in the previous year — which can mostly be blamed on injury.

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Making up for Chase’s absence will be no easy task, as the Tigers look to repeat last year’s success with a team that looks totally different now.

Thinking of options as to who deserves to wear No. 7 in 2020, sophomore cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. immediately comes to mind.

Stingley was a consensus All-American as a true freshman last season, totaling 38 combined tackles, 31 solo, 15 passes defensed, six interceptions and one fumble recovery.

If it weren’t for a matter of seniority, Stingley would be neck-and-neck with Chase to wear the jersey, even if he was playing this year.

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At least for now, it looks like Stingley is a lock to wear No. 24.

It will be interesting to see which player gets the honors ahead of the season, which begins for the Tigers on Sept. 26 against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Baton Rouge.

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Could graduate transfer CB Darren Evans be heading to LSU?

The defending national champion LSU Tigers could be adding a veteran to the secondary soon.

The defending national champion LSU Tigers be adding a veteran to the secondary soon — or at least it’s totally plausible.

On Thursday, Nicholls State defensive back Darren Evans entered his name into the transfer portal with the hopes of playing his final collegiate season at the FBS level.

A Baton Rouge native, Evans quickly received a 247Sports Crystal Ball pick once he entered the transfer portal.

A 6-foot-3, 180-pound cornerback, Evans was an All-Southland Conference performer in 2018 and finished tied for fifth in the FCS with 15 pass breakups in 2019.

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Evans would certainly bring plenty of experience to the Tigers having started 37 games at cornerback for Nicholls over the last three seasons.

With Kary Vincent Jr. deciding to opt out this season, LSU could use depth and experience in the secondary. Derek Stingley Jr. has one spot locked down but a host of young players will battle to start opposite of him.

Sophomore Cordale Flott and freshmen Eli Ricks and Dwight McGlothern all figure to see plenty of time at corner this fall. LSU has only one junior or senior at cornerback currently and that is senior Lloyd Cole.

Ricks may follow Stingley’s lead and start as a true freshman on the outside, while Flott is in line to start at the nickel.

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If Evans chooses the Tigers, head coach Ed Orgeron will have more flexibility with his lineup this fall.

As a graduate transfer, Evans would be eligible immediately.

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Ja’Marr Chase, Derek Stingley Jr. named to AP Preseason All-American Team

A pair of LSU Tigers was named to the AP Preseason All-American Team ahead of the 2020 season.

College football this fall is getting closer to reality for teams like LSU with each passing day.

While the COVID-19 pandemic could still alter the landscape in the near future, expectations are the season will begin in just over two weeks.

On Tuesday, the Associated Press released its All-American teams, and two members of the defending national champion LSU Tigers made the team in wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.

Chase, who was a unanimous All-American in 2019, also won the Biletnikoff Award after catching 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns last fall.

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The 6-foot, 208-pound junior from Harvey, La., is one of two SEC wide receivers on the first team.

Stingley was the nation’s top freshman in 2019. Stingley could also make the claim he was the nation’s top cornerback last season.

The 6-foot-1 sophomore from Baton Rouge started every game for the Tigers in 2019, was a consensus All-American and led the SEC in interceptions with six.

Chase and Stingley are two of the premier players in all of college football and if we have a season this fall, expect both players to live up to their preseason billing.

The pair will get their first chance to make an impact when LSU takes on the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Sept. 26.

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247Sports ranks Ja’Marr Chase, Derek Stingley Jr. as Top 5 players in 2020

The LSU Tigers won the national championship in 2019 with a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball.

The LSU Tigers won the national championship in 2019 with a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball, with quarterback Joe Burrow taking a good bit of the spotlight.

After the season, Burrow and a host of other former Tigers were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

While most teams couldn’t contend after losing so many stars, the Tigers can. A big reason why LSU is ranked inside the top 10 in 2020 is that the Tigers have superstars on both sides of the ball.

Junior wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged an unbelievable 21 yards per receptions and was named an All-American, in addition to winning the Biletnikoff Award.

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Defensively, one key player LSU returns is sophomore cornerback Derek Stingley.

Stingley, the most decorated freshman in LSU history, had a season to remember in 2019. Not only did he lead the SEC in interceptions, but he was also a first-team All-SEC pick and a consensus first-team All-American.

Chase and Stingley are, unquestionably, two of the best players in all of college football. 247Sports recently ranked all returning players across college football and had Chase ranked No. 4 and Stingley ranked No. 5.

It’s no surprise to see either player ranked so high.

Whether there is a college football season or not, you can expect to see Chase among the top picks in next year’s NFL Draft.

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LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, Derek Stingley Jr. named to Maxwell Award watch list

The preseason honors keep rolling in for the 2020 LSU Tigers.

The preseason honors keep rolling in for the 2020 LSU Tigers.

Junior wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and sophomore cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. were named to the 2020 Maxwell Award watch list on Friday.

The Maxwell Award is given annually to the top player in college football. Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was the program’s last player to win the award, earning it in 2019.

This is the second watch-list nomination for Chase, who was earlier named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The 6-foot-0, 208-pound Chase won the Biletnikoff Award last season and was also named a unanimous All-American.

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Stingley was college football’s top freshman one year ago. He was a first-team All-SEC selection and a consensus first-team All-American.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound sophomore has been named to the watch lists for the Nagurski, Jim Thorpe and Bednarik Awards.

The Maxwell Award dates all the way back to 1937 when Yale’s Clint Frank first won the award. Burrow became the first LSU player ever to win the award last season.

Chase and Stingley are considered by most to be the best at their respective positions.

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Two LSU football players named to Jim Thorpe Award watch list

LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety JaCoby Stevens were named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list on Monday.

LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety JaCoby Stevens were named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list on Monday.

The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football.

Stingley was arguably the best cornerback in the country last season as a freshman. Stevens will likely take over and fill the void at safety in place of former Tigers star Grant Delpit.

Delpit won the Jim Thorpe Award last season after he accounted for 65 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. He was a viable part of the Tigers’ success on defense that helped lead the way to the program’s fourth national championship in program history.

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Last season, Stingley had 38 tackles — 31 of which were solo tackles. He led the SEC and ranked fifth nationally in interceptions with six, and was a Consensus All-American and a First-Team All-American selection. Along with those awards, the rising sophomore was also a First and Second Team All-SEC selection and the 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year.

Stevens was a 2019 Second Team All-SEC selection and was named the SEC Defensive player of the week three times in 2019. He finished his junior season with 92 total tackles, which ranked second on the team behind Jacob Phillips. He had five sacks and three interceptions on the season last year.

Heading into the 2020 college football season, the Tigers are replacing a lot of talent, and are under new leadership with defensive coordinator Bo Pelini replacing Dave Aranda, who took the head coach position at Baylor.

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Both Stingley and Stevens will play crucial roles in holding down the secondary and keeping opposing receivers in check this season.

Though the Tigers’ schedule has yet to be realigned due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two Tigers defensive stars will be key players to keep an eye on once the season starts.

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LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.’s versatility could be especially important for 2020 college football season

Could we see Stingley on offense in 2020?

The coronavirus pandemic has already taken an extensive toll on college sports — one which has now extended into the fall to affect football.

Granted SEC teams do play, one thing programs will constantly have to monitor is new cases and a potential outbreak. If LSU sees a spike at some point in the season, it could mean that the roster slims down quickly.

In that case, LSU could be forced to have players come on the field to play both offense and defense.

One player to watch in that case is cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who is coming off of one of the most impressive true freshman seasons we’ve ever seen.

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In an a radio appearance with WWL back in May, Tigers coach Ed Orgeron hinted that we could see Stingley play both ways in the future.

“During recruiting, I promised him two years on defense and then the next year, the third year, I think you’re going to see Derek play both ways for us,” Orgeron said.

Regardless, Stingley is going to play a large role on the defense in several different aspects in 2020.

“I think this year you’re not going to see us just use Derek in man free coverage, I think you’re going to see him blitzing, I think you’re going to see him use his talents in some places where we need him on defense,” Orgeron said. “I think Bo’s going to mix it up where he’s going to have our corners doing different things.”

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Stingley was a steady factor in 2019, totaling 38 tackles, 31 solo, 15 passes defensed, six interceptions and one fumble recovery, also contributing on special teams with 17 punt returns for an average of 9.6 yards per return in 2019.

Based on Orgeron’s comments, it sounds like the 2021 season would be the ideal time to give Stingley a role on the offense.

But it’s reasonable to assume we could see that happen sooner rather than later depending upon how the Tigers fare through the pandemic.

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Three LSU football players named to Bednarik Award Watch List

If one member of the trio takes home the honors, they’ll be the first from LSU to do it since Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson.

LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. exceeded expectations as just a true freshman last year, and is expected to only continue to build off of that momentum in the 2020 college football season.

He led the league with six interceptions, ranked fifth nationally, and ranked second in the country with 21 passes defensed.

On Monday, Stingley, along with safety JaCoby Stevens and linebacker Jabril Cox were named to the Bednarik Award watch list for college football’s best defensive player.

Here’s a complete look at the list.

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In 2019, Stevens recorded 85 tackles, ranked second on the team with five sacks, ranked third on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and reeled in three interceptions.

Cox enters the team as a graduate transfer after being named a two-time All-American linebacker at North Dakota State, and recorded 258 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 14 sacks over his career with the Bison.

If any player from this trio takes home the honors, they’ll become the third member of the LSU football team to do so since Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson went back-to-back in 2010 and 2011.

Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young won the award last year. Other past recipients include Aaron Donald, Ndamunkong Suh, Charles Woodson, Julius Peppers and Minkah Fitzpatrick.

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Lindy’s Sports ranks LSU as college football’s top secondary in 2020

LSU lost a lot of talent to the 2020 NFL Draft, but returns with an elite secondary.

The LSU Tigers should have one of college football’s top secondaries again in 2020.

LSU did lose Kristian Fulton and Grant Delpit to the NFL, but sophomore Derek Stingley, Jr. is back and is the top cornerback in all of college football.

Another player joining Stingley in the defensive backfield is senior safety JaCoby Stevens.

Most preseason publications are out and think highly of LSU again in 2020. Lindy’s Sports ranked not only individual players by position, but also units.

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To no one’s surprise, Lindy’s ranked the defending national champions as having the No. 1 secondary.

For its individual rankings, Stingley was the No. 1 cornerback, while Stevens was the No. 5 safety.

Stingley had one of the best individual seasons by a freshman in LSU history in 2019. Not only was he a first-team All-SEC selection, but Stingley was also a consensus All-American.

Stevens, a second-team All-SEC pick one year ago, is a jack-of-all trades-type of defender.

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While he is listed as a safety, he can also play linebacker, too. New defensive coordinator Bo Pelini will likely move Stevens around to best maximize his athleticism and overall skill set.

LSU’s secondary isn’t just Stingley and Stevens.

The Tigers return veterans like Kary Vincent and Cordale Flott and welcome newcomers Elias Ricks and Dwight McGlothern.

Ricks has the talent be this season’s version of Stingley. All he needs is the opportunity.

The Tigers have many holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but there’s no doubt the secondary is full of elite playmakers.

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