LSU Football: What You Need to Know About Tigers' Best Freshmen

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As always, LSU will have freshmen ready to contribute right away.

The Tigers have an uncanny ability to piece together great recruiting classes and have them geared up and ready to go for the season.

It was showcased in 2010 with Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Ware and Eric Reid, as well as the 2011 season with Odell Beckham, Kenny Hilliard and Anthony Johnson.

But seeing that these incoming freshmen are the new guys on campus, fans generally know very little about them. Let's change that. 

Jeremy Hill

Jeremy Hill could be the most talented running back on LSU's roster.

Considering the Tigers have the deepest backfield in the country, that's saying something. But Hill comes to LSU with a rough reputation.

In fact, he was supposed to be in the same recruiting class as fellow running back Kenny Hilliard, but after some issues with the law, he had to wait another year.

Hill was arrested on charges of oral sexual battery, but after getting his life back together, Les Miles and the Tigers have given this talented running back a second opportunity.

On any other roster he would definitely get playing time as a freshman, but because LSU has Spencer Ware, Alfred Blue, Michael Ford and Hilliard all ready to roll, he might not get an opportunity to prove himself until next season.   

Kwon Alexander

Kwon Alexander not only sports nice suspenders, he is a special talent. 

After the first day of Fall camp, Miles was already complimenting the skills of Alexander.

The Times-Picayune's Jim Kleinpeter tweeted that Miles was looking forward to seeing him compete.

#LSU Coach Les Miles: Freshman LB Kwon Alexander tested extremely well. Deion Jones, Trey Granier, mlook forward to seeing them compete.

— Jim Kleinpeter (@JimKleinpeter) August 1, 2012

So going off of Miles' comments, Alexander's highlight reels and multiple offers from notable SEC schools, Alexander is a desired talent—a talent that could start right away and fill in for the always-productive Ryan Baker. 

Ronnie Feist

Ronnie Feist had an amazing spring.

Feist was able to participate in spring practice because he enrolled early, and the freshman linebacker made his presence known right away.

Feist was an animal during LSU's Big Cat Drills, and he grabbed everyone's attention when he pancaked Hilliard in their showdown. 

Along with Alexander, Feist could very easily see playing time as a freshman at one of the linebacker positions. 

Reid Ferguson

Reid Ferguson is the only freshman listed in LSU's media guide as a starter. 

Even though he's a long snapper, that's still impressive. Before coming to LSU, he was rated as the No. 2 long snapper in the country.

Ferguson participated in spring practice, and obviously Les Miles and the coaching staff liked what they saw, which led them to naming him the starter. 

You never truly know how much a freshman will contribute to a team right away, but in Ferguson's case, he's a lock for handling long-snapping duties for the Tigers. 

Travin Dural

Travin Dural is a deep threat. 

Dural averaged 21.5 yards per reception as a senior at Breaux Bridge and caught 19 touchdown passes. In other words, he could serve as LSU's version of Robert Meachem. 

Furthermore, he could be a prominent weapon for the Tigers offense, and allow Zach Mettenberger to keep defenses from loading the box.

But with so many talented receivers at bay for LSU, it's uncertain if Dural will even touch the field in 2012.