Tag: Major Burns

Is LSU safety Jordan Allen on the verge of a breakout in 2024?

Can LSU safety Jordan Allen emerge in 2024?

LSU showcased a new look defense on its first day of fall camp. [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag] was back with the cornerbacks, opening up a spot at safety.

With a spot open at safety, [autotag]Jordan Allen[/autotag] slid in to take the first-team reps. Allen was a three-star in the class of 2022, Brian Kelly’s first signing class at LSU. The On3 Industry Rankings rated him as the No. 51 safety in the class and the No. 23 prospect in the state of Louisiana.

Allen didn’t play much as a freshman in 2022 and saw just 47 defensive snaps. That was enough to keep his redshirt. As a redshirt freshman last year, Allen saw a good bit action the back half of the season.

His 37 snaps against Florida in Week 11 were a career high. Allen struggled, posting a 50.4 PFF grade, but he continued to see time in November. Against Georgia State and Texas A&M, the results were better.

Allen rotated in against Wisconsin too, playing nine stops and notching a defensive stop.

LSU is thin in the secondary, especially at corner. That trickle down will affect will affect the safeties with Ryan needing to play corner.

Veteran safety [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] is moving to the star position, meaning LSU’s backend will have a different look this year. The Tigers landed former Texas A&M safety [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag] in the transfer portal, who brings starting SEC experience, but other than that, there are questions.

Allen could prove to be the answer. Even if he doesn’t assume a full time starting role, Allen looks to be factoring into Blake Baker’s defensive plans. LSU safety coach [autotag]Jake Olsen[/autotag] did good work with the safeties at Missouri and could be what this group needs to take a step forward.

Baker likes to play an aggressive style of defense. That will put pressure on the young secondary at times. If another safety emerges, that can help LSU limit the big plays allowed this fall.

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Could Major Burns be key piece in LSU’s 2024 defense?

LSU’s Major Burns could be the key to LSU’s defense taking a step forward.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] made wholesale changes to the defensive staff this offseason. The defense was among the worst in program history last year and it put a damper on LSU’s playoff hopes despite LSU owning the best offense in the country.

Enter [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] as defensive coordinator. Baker’s defense will look a lot different. One noticeable change you’ll notice is the deployment of hybrid safety [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag].

This is a young defense, but that’s where Burns stands out. He’s entering his fifth year of college football after playing 1,641 defensive snaps since 2020. He’s started 23 games for LSU despite battling injuries in 2021 and 2022.

Burns was a classic safety last year. According to PFF, he lined up as the FS spot more than any other, seeing 369 snaps there.

Now in Baker’s defense, Burns is moving to the STAR role. That’s the typical hybrid safety linebacker model you’ve seen emerge in college football this century.

Daylan Carnell played that role for Baker at Missouri last year, lining up as a free safety just 45 times. The majority of time was spent playing in the box or in the slot.

Burns isn’t a stranger to either spot. He played 308 in the box and 142 in the slot last year, but what he’s asked to do will change.

In coverage last year, Carnell was in man 34.8% of the time. Burns just 22.3%. When it came to rushing the passer, Carnell blitzed 10.5% of the time while Burns’ rate was less than half at 4.1%, which was among the lowest safety blitz rates in the SEC.

How Burns adjusts could play a big role in how much progress LSU’s defense makes Year 1 under Baker. So far, the reports are positive.

In spring practice, Kelly said Burns improved more than anyone else in coverage, noting he struggled some last year. Kelly said LSU didn’t put Burns in a position to succeed, saying there were occasions when the staff didn’t have Burns on the right guy at the right time.

Off the field, Kelly noted Burns’ development as a leader, something that’s critical given how young the defense is.

Another positive indicator: Burns was named preseason All-SEC at media days last week.

There are few certainties on this defense. The cornerback room is a big question mark. So is the interior defensive line. LSU needs an improved pass rush and more consistent play from its linebackers. There will be struggles, but with Burns’ versatility, Baker could alleviate weaknesses.

If the pass rush is struggling, send Burns on a blitz. Need help in coverage? Drop Burns back.

Burns doesn’t need to be elite, he just needs to be good at a little of everything and provide a steady veteran presence. Burns has the chance to make an impact at every level of the defense. If he lives up to those All-SEC expectations, this unit is in good shape.

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LSU’s Dashawn McBryde named a top freshman defensive back by Phil Steele

The highest-rated defensive back in LSU’s 2024 class could make an instant impact for the Tigers.

When it comes to LSU’s secondary in 2024, the name of the game will be development.

The Tigers have some proven pieces, to be sure. Veteran transfer cornerback [autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag] was a bright spot when healthy last season, while safety [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] is coming off a career year and will be playing alongside an experienced transfer addition in [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag].

But elsewhere, LSU is hoping second-year players like [autotag]Ashton Stamps[/autotag] and [autotag]Javien Toviano[/autotag] will take steps, and it could be relying on young players for depth as [autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag] seems to be pushing for a starting spot on the outside as a true freshman.

Woodland isn’t the only true freshman defensive back to watch out for, though. Safety [autotag]Dashawn McBryde[/autotag] was the top-rated defensive back in the Tigers’ class, and the Denham Springs native was named the No. 24 freshman defensive back in the country this season by Phil Steele.

McBryde was a top-100 prospect nationally and the No. 3 player in Louisiana coming out of high school. It remains to be seen if he can see the field early, but he could be part of the safety rotation as a true freshman.

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Brian Kelly praises Major Burns during spring practice

Major Burns, the LSU Tigers’ leading tackler from last season, was recently highlighted by head coach Brian Kelly.

[autotag]Major Burns[/autotag], the LSU Tigers’ leading tackler from last season, was recently highlighted by head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], who pointed out how well Burns is doing in coverage. Burns finished last season with 93 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception.

“The one guy that I really think has made more progress than any one individual player in coverage is Major Burns,” Kelly said. “Major was a bit sloppy last year in coverage. I know everyone would point to the interception against Missouri which is singularly a huge play but there were many times in coverage where we didn’t have him on the right guy at the right time. He’s been really really good. I’ve been happy with his off-the-field as well. In the classroom doing the right things, he’s really taken a step up in the program and put himself squarely in a position to be a leader.”

I am excited to see how Burns will look in the Tigers’ new look defense this fall.

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Major Burns announces return to LSU in 2024

Major Burns has started 23 of the 27 games he’s appeared in over the last three seasons.

LSU has seen some key players announce their decisions to enter the 2024 NFL draft, but it will be getting one of its key veterans in the secondary back.

On Thursday, safety [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] announced that he would be coming back to LSU for his final season of eligibility in 2024. A Baton Rouge native who began his career at Georgia but transferred back to his home state in 2021, Burns has appeared in 27 games for the Tigers over the last three seasons, starting 23 of them.

After he was limited by injuries in his first two seasons, he started all 13 games in 2023 while leading the team in total tackles with 93. He also had three tackles for loss, an interception and three pass breakups.

The defensive backfield will be a major question mark once again in 2024 after this year’s transfer portal haul didn’t work out, and the Tigers could be relying heavily on young players.

With that in mind, getting an experienced veteran like Burns back could prove to be valuable.

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Stock Up, Stock Down: Tigers are drowned out by the Tide

LSU took the lead when it scored on the first drive of the second half, but after that, it was all Alabama.

If LSU was going to win the SEC West and try to make a run for the College Football Playoff, they would have to win out. That starts with beating the Alabama Crimson Tide. LSU was unable to do that tonight as the Tide won 42-28 in Tuscaloosa.

If you are a fan of offense and watching teams score a lot of points, this first half was right up your alley. LSU and Alabama traded blows and entered halftime tied at 21. LSU took the lead when they scored on the first drive of the second half but after that, it was all Alabama.

Here’s how things are trending after the loss.

PHOTOS: LSU bounces back on the road against Missouri with 49-39 win

The Tigers got back on track with a hard-fought win over Missouri on Saturday.

LSU’s defense was shaky once again, but it made enough plays to go with another excellent performance from the Tigers offense as coach Brian Kelly’s team bounced back with a 49-39 win over Missouri on Saturday.

LSU faced an early 22-7 deficit but fought back, and after a second half that featured five lead changes, a [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] pick-six sealed the win. [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] had another 100-yard day, while [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] combined for more than 260 yards on the ground.

The Tigers now sit at 4-2 on the year and 3-1 in SEC play as they prepare to host Auburn next week. For now, at least, this team remains a factor in the SEC West race.

Here are the best photos from the win on Saturday.

Reactions as LSU survives to win shootout over Missouri

The Tigers faced another high-scoring game on Saturday, but this time, they did enough to win.

LSU faced another shootout on Saturday, but this time, it came out on the winning side in a 49-39 barnburner.

The Tigers’ defense had similar struggles this week against Brady Cook, Luther Burden and a talented Missouri passing offense, but it made just enough plays. [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] had an interception that set up a touchdown, while [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] had a game-clinching pick-six in the final minute.

The Tigers are 4-2 and stay alive in the SEC West. While there’s a lot to improve on from Saturday’s win, there’s also plenty to build on. Here’s how social media reacted to LSU’s ranked win over a previously unbeaten Mizzou team.

Stock Up, Stock Down: LSU takes down Missouri on the road

When LSU needed a play the most, Major Burns and the LSU defense stepped up and got the job done.

When LSU needed a play the most, [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] and the LSU defense stepped up and got the job done. With less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, LSU led the game 42-39 but Missouri had the ball. Brady Cook dropped back to pass and threw an interception to Burns, who took it back to the house for six.

That play secured a 49-39 win for the Tigers over Missouri.

It wasn’t pretty, but LSU escaped with a big win against the 5-0 Missouri Tigers on the road. [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] played his heart out, [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag] played well and [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] had another stellar day.

Here’s how things are trending as the Tigers get back on track.

Instant Analysis: LSU survives against Missouri thanks to late Major Burns pick-six

The Tigers held on in another shootout to move to 4-2 on the season.

Once again, LSU found itself in a high-scoring thriller on Saturday against the Missouri Tigers. But unlike in Week 5’s loss to Ole Miss, the defense did just enough with the game on the line as a [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] interception returned for a touchdown in the final minutes clinched a 49-39 win.

LSU fell behind early, trailing 22-7 in the second quarter, but it cut that deficit to 25-17 at halftime. The second half featured dueling touchdowns with the lead changing hands five times.

Trailing 39-35, the Tigers took the lead for good thanks to a 29-yard passing touchdown to [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag]. On Missouri’s final chance, quarterback Brady Cook threw a 17-yard pick-six to Burns with 34 seconds to play.

The turnovers helped, but it still wasn’t an ideal performance for LSU’s defense. While it wasn’t the 706-yard-allowing game we saw last week, the Tigers gave up 527 yards to Missouri, 395 through the air and 132 on the ground.

LSU had predictable struggles against star receiver Luther Burden, who had 11 catches for 149 yards but was held out of the end zone. Cody Schrader had quite a bit of success on the ground, as well, totaling 114 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries.

It was, however, another fantastic performance from LSU’s offense. Despite a slow start, [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] finished with 259 yards and three touchdowns on 15 of 21 passing. Nabers finished with 146 yards on six catches, while [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] caught a touchdown, as well, with 66 yards.

LSU’s rushing game had one of its best outings of the year as [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag] went for 134 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, while Daniels added 130 of his own despite exiting the game briefly with an injury.

This win didn’t alleviate all of LSU’s concerns, but it was certainly a welcome win as the team moves to 4-2 on the season and 3-1 in SEC play.

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