Tag: LSU Draft

Jay Ward happy to rejoin Daronte Jones, Jaquelin Roy with Vikings

Ward will be greeted by some familiar faces in Minneapolis.

Former LSU safety [autotag]Jay Ward[/autotag] is heading up to the frigid north after he was taken by the Minnesota Vikings, who took him in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft on Saturday.

Ward won’t be alone in Minneapolis, though. When he arrives, he’ll be greeted by a pair of familiar faces. His selection pairs him up with his college teammate [autotag]Jaquelin Roy[/autotag], who was selected by the team just seven picks after Ward.

“I heard somebody say J-Roy just got picked, so to reunite with him, we’re back,” Ward told the media after the draft. “I played with him for three years. I know what he can bring to the table, and he definitely isn’t going to let you down. He’s a great player.”

The move also reunites him with his former defensive coordinator in [autotag]Daronte Jones[/autotag], who was hired by the Vikings as a defensive backs coach after one season in Baton Rouge. Things have now come full circle as Jones will serve as Ward’s position coach at the next level.

“First of all, I’d like to thank God for putting me in this position and thank [General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah] for taking a chance with me and reuniting me with Coach Jones,” Ward said. “This is a decision he won’t regret.

“I love Coach Jones. It’s always bigger than on the field with him, and we had a close relationship at LSU. We were tight. I’m glad I can reunite with him and he can keep molding me to be a better player.”

He’ll join a team that features veteran safety Harrison Smith, and he’ll be rejoining another former teammate from the 2019 squad in [autotag]Justin Jefferson[/autotag].

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Jets pick LSU CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse

Bernard-Converse became the sixth LSU player selected this weekend and the fifth on Day 3.

[autotag]Jarrick Bernard-Converse[/autotag] has found a home in New York.

The Jets selected the LSU corner in the sixth round of the NFL draft on Saturday. Bernard-Converse transferred to LSU after four years at Oklahoma State. He was all-conference in 2021 and impressed in Baton Rouge last year.

He’s a tall and physical corner that also played safety last year.

His biggest moment as a Tiger came against Alabama: He intercepted Bryce Young on the opening drive to shift momentum in LSU’s favor.

LSU needed corners entering last year and Bernard-Converse proved a valuable asset from the portal. Bernard-Converse was the sixth LSU player drafted this weekend and the fifth on Saturday.

Bernard-Converse benefited from a strong draft process that saw him play in the Hula Bowl and impress at LSU pro day.

He’ll join a good secondary that features Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. It’s unlikely he’ll get a chance to start early in his career, but he has the talent to battle for time down the road.

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Tracking every LSU player selected in the 2023 NFL draft

Keep up with every former Tiger whose dream of being drafted came true this weekend.

With LSU returning much of its production from the 2022 season, this year’s Tigers draft class wasn’t as star-studded as past classes have.

For the first time since 2018, no Tiger was drafted during the first round on Thursday night. However, that drought didn’t last much longer. Edge rusher [autotag]BJ Ojulari[/autotag] was selected early in the second. However, he was LSU’s only pick across the first two days of the draft.

A number of LSU players heard their names called on Saturday during the final four rounds, however. Here’s every former Tiger who achieved their dream of being drafted into the NFL.

Kayshon Boutte’s draft slide finally ends in the 6th round

Once seen as a likely first-round pick, Boutte was finally picked in the sixth round by the Patriots on Saturday.

Former LSU wide receiver [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag] had to wait longer to hear his name called than he likely expected when he declared for the 2023 NFL draft. His slide ended on Saturday when he was picked by the New England Patriots with the 187th overall pick in the sixth round.

Boutte was considered a likely first-round pick entering the 2022 season. Coming off an ankle injury that ended what was shaping up to be a fantastic 2021 campaign, he struggled more than many anticipated.

He struggled to develop chemistry with quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and finished the year with just 538 yards on 48 catches. He also scored just two touchdowns. Though he initially decided to return for another year, he reversed course and declared for the draft.

Boutte’s stock dropped considerably after poor test results at the combine and reported struggles in interviews during the pre-draft process. There was even speculation he could go unselected.

While he likely hoped to be at least a Day 2 pick, he’ll go to a Patriots team looking for weapons with a good chance to earn a roster spot. New England hasn’t drafted a quarterback, meaning Mac Jones will presumably be throwing balls to Boutte as a rookie.

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Vikings select LSU DT Jaquelin Roy on Day 3

The Vikings doubled up on LSU players, taking Roy in the fifth round.

A short time after taking defensive back [autotag]Jay Ward[/autotag], the Minnesota Vikings turned to Baton Rouge again to pick LSU defensive tackle [autotag]Jaquelin Roy[/autotag] in the fifth round with the 141st pick.

The Vikings traded up 17 spots to take Roy.

Both Ward and Roy will be reunited with former LSU defensive coordinator [autotag]Daronte Jones[/autotag], who coaches defensive backs in Minnesota. Roy was LSU’s fourth selection of the draft.

The Vikings are betting on Roy’s size and athleticism, which continually flashed in college even if there was a lack of consistency.

Roy declared early after arriving at LSU as a blue-chip recruit in 2020. He’s been a fixture on the defensive line the last two years and was one of the SEC’s most productive defensive tackles last fall.

Roy has drawn a few comparisons to Dalvin Tomlinson.

Despite being a fifth-round pick, being on the defensive line gives Roy a chance to earn a spot in a rotation.

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Jay Ward drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 4th round

Ward is heading up north after he was picked near the bottom of the fourth round, becoming the third LSU player selected.

The Tigers’ third draft pick has come off the board. Safety [autotag]Jay Ward[/autotag] was selected by the Minnesota Vikings at pick No. 134 in the fourth round.

Ward played in 46 games during his four-year career at LSU. He finished with 164 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and six interceptions.

His best game last season was at home against Mississippi State. Ward finished with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception.

He will fit in well with a Vikings secondary that needed help. Minnesota no longer has Aaron Rodgers in its division, but it still has to stop Jared Goff, Jordan Love and Justin Fields. The Lions drafted Hendon Hooker to be their possible future starting quarterback.

Harrison Smith is entering his 13th season in the NFL, so he will have a wealth of knowledge he can pass on to Ward.

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Anthony Bradford drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 4th round

The second LSU player has been taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The second LSU player has been taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. [autotag]Anthony Bradford[/autotag] was drafted in the fourth round at pick No. 108 by the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.

Bradford played in 29 games during his four-year career on the Bayou. He can play almost anywhere on the offensive line. In 17 starts for the Tigers, Bradford made 10 starts at right guard, five starts at left tackle and two starts at right guard.

He will be a great addition to the Seahawks’ offensive line as he gets to block for a plethora of weapons. (Geno Smith, Kenneth Walker, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba)

Moving all the way to Seattle will be a culture shock for sure, but he will be in great hands in front of the 12th man at Lumen Field.

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1 LSU player projected as a top 20 draft prospect in 2024

It’s never too early to start talking about the 2024 draft, right?

It’s never too early to start talking about the 2024 draft, right? On3 has released a list of its top 20 prospects for next year’s draft, and one LSU Tiger made the list.

Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] was ranked as one of the top 20 players for the 2024 NFL draft.

Smith had a phenomenal freshman campaign, playing in nine games and totaling 19 tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks. Those stats had him poised to have a breakout year in 2022, but that fell apart in the season-opening game as Smith suffered a season-ending injury in the second quarter against Florida State.

Hopefully, we will get to see a full season of Smith this fall as he has a chance to be one of the best defensive linemen in next year’s class. He will be a huge part of the LSU defense and will play a major role in the Tigers’ success in 2023.

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BJ Ojulari drafted by Arizona Cardinals in 2nd round

The first LSU Tiger has been selected in the 2023 NFL draft.

The first LSU Tiger has been selected in the 2023 NFL draft. [autotag]BJ Ojulari[/autotag] was selected on Friday night in the second round with pick No. 41 to the Arizona Cardinals.

Ojulari was an outstanding linebacker and leader at LSU. He wore the famed No. 18 for the Tigers as he embodied what it means to be a Tiger during his career.

Last season, Ojulari had 58 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He played in 34 games during his LSU career and finished with 129 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in his career.

He will be a great edge rusher at the next level for the Arizona Cardinals as they will likely use him on long third downs to get after opposing quarterbacks. That was one of his best traits going into the draft and that is a big reason why he was drafted this high.

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Where does LSU edge rusher BJ Ojulari rank among available players entering Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft?

Ojulari didn’t hear his name called on Day 1, but he likely won’t have to wait too long on Friday.

The first round of the 2023 NFL draft is in the books, and LSU edge rusher [autotag]BJ Ojulari[/autotag] is still waiting to hear his name called.

It’s not exactly surprising to see Ojulari still on the board here. Most mock drafts had him going in the second round, though some had him as a first-rounder. In total, five edge rushers were selected in the first 31 picks on Thursday night, and Ojulari wasn’t among them.

However, his wait is likely to come to an end on Friday night. Ojulari currently ranks as the No. 17 prospect available, per the latest big board from ESPN.

Some players who were expected to be picked Thursday night slid including quarterback Will Levis, defensive backs Brian Branch and Joey Porter Jr. as well as tight end Michael Mayer. These players likely won’t last long on Day 2, but Ojulari could also find himself being an early pick as one of the draft’s best remaining pure pass rushers.

LSU didn’t have a player selected in the first round for the first time since 2018, but with players like Ojulari, [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaquelin Roy[/autotag], there are several players who have the potential to become Day 2 picks.

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