LSU’s had difficulty managing the cornerback position during Brian Kelly’s tenure. The Tigers have relied on the transfers to fill the room out the past three offseasons.
LSU defensive back [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag] doesn’t fit that description. Entering his fourth year with the program, Ryan is an LSU veteran. That’s a rare occurrence on this rebuilding defense.
Ryan struggled to settle into one position during his first few years on campus. He bounced around from corner to safety, never quite finding that consistency in the starting lineup.
That changed at the end of last year when Ryan emerged as LSU’s best corner. Only three returning SEC corners posted a better PFF coverage grade last year. Ryan didn’t allow the big plays that plagued the secondary with zero touchdowns to his name. He was disruptive too, with four pass breakups.
Despite those numbers, Ryan played at safety in the spring as new defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] got a feel for the roster,
But as fall camp opened, Ryan was back at corner, playing with the first team.
The #LSU Practice Report:
– Sage Ryan + Ashton Stamps ran as the 1st Team CBs.
– Jardin Gilbert + Jordan Allen as the 1st Team safeties. Major Burns at STAR.
– Shelton Sampson started off the day with a pair of heavily contested catches.
– Stamps was sharp.Big day for the DBs. pic.twitter.com/FsmbpYEv1u
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) August 1, 2024
After practice, Kelly said the staff wants Ryan to be a guy who can play multiple positions.
On Sage Ryan being back at corner, Brian Kelly says that was the plan. LSU wants him to be the "one player that can play both positions," so he spent the spring at safety and will play more corner in camp.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) August 1, 2024
With the issues LSU had at corner last year, Ryan being back at that spot is a good thing. He was one of the few bright spots on LSU’s defense last November.
A former five-star, Ryan’s as talented as any DB in the SEC. He looked like he was starting to put it all together in 2023.
LSU needs someone to emerge at defensive back. This defense needs to take a massive step forward if LSU hopes to compete for the SEC and a playoff spot. Part of that recipe likely involves Ryan.
Ryan’s moved around his entire college career, so he’s used to playing multiple positions, but allowing Ryan to settle in as a starter at cornerback could be the best possible scenario for this unit.
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