LSU Football: 10 Young Players Who Could Become Legends

Many Tiger football players have come and gone, and many have left a lasting impact on Tiger fans.

LSU has a young team that has the potential to compete for multiple BCS national championships in the next few years and several players that could make a big impact on the field as well as the hearts of the fans.

As we head into the summer, here is a preview of players that I feel could be the next group of Tiger legends.

Michael Brockers: Defensive Tackle

Photo by TigerRag.com

Michael Brockers had good showings at the Tigers’ spring game, with a couple of really explosive plays that drew notice from head coach Les Miles.

Brockers is one of many explosive defensive tackles on the LSU roster, and with such depth, they will most likely rotate in and out to allow them to stay fresh.

With fresh legs and tons of talent, Brockers should make a big impact and garner notice from Tiger fans in 2011.

An under-the-radar player like Brockers could become the next stud to come off of the Tiger defensive line.

Brad Wing: Punter

Australian punter Brad Wing had a great spring game as well, with punts having hang-time and distance. 

Wing’s bad punts were still over 50 yards, and he dropped a couple of punts inside the 20-yard line for good measure.

Having a punter that can pin opposing offenses back and change field position when the Tiger offense stalls will be a huge advantage for LSU, especially the defense. 

As crazy and wild as Tiger fans get on Saturday nights, key punts in big SEC games could make the crowd erupt and earn Wing a spot in the Tiger fans’ hearts.

Jarvis Landry: Wide Receiver

Jarvis Landry may only be 5’11”, 178 lbs, but he plays much bigger.  An elite route-runner, Landry could make a major impact for the Tigers.

Though many scouts rate him as mediocre in speed, size and strength, Landry showed that he has the tools to be effective on the field in the Under Armour All-America Game as he led all receivers with eight catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.  

Landry proved time after time that he could be a reliable go-to receiver when his quarterback needed to get rid of the ball.

With a little more size and some college-level coaching, Landry has the tools and ability to be an elite receiver in the SEC.

Odell Beckham Jr: Wide Receiver

At 5’10”, 165 lbs, Odell Beckham Jr. is an undersized athlete who explosive with the ball in his hands.

Very similar to Russell Shepard, Beckham Jr. is dangerous in space but not much of a threat against the large defensive backs in the SEC. 

Getting him the ball in space to let him use his speed against the larger defensive players will be the key to his success at LSU.

With new offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe at LSU, Tiger fans will have to wait and see how Beckham Jr. will be utilized, but with his speed and ability he is likely to be used as a situational wide receiver getting the ball on short, quick routes that allow him to use his speed in space.

Jarrett Fobbs: Wide Receiver

Photo by TigerRag.com

Freshman Jarrett Fobbs had a strong showing in the spring game displaying good route running and great ability to find open spots in the defense.

Fobbs found the gaps in the defense and made some nice catches while working with the first team.

Fobbs will probably be fairly deep on the depth chart but should draw single coverage by opposing teams’ weaker cornerbacks allowing him to make some big plays.

Once he works his way into the starting lineup, Fobbs could prove to be an elite SEC wide receiver.

Eric Reid: Safety

Photo by weeklycitizen.com

Sophomore Eric Reid, who had a phenomenal performance in the 2010 Cotton Bowl, will lead the LSU safeties in 2011.

Reid has the luxury of playing behind some great cover cornerbacks which allows him to take extra chances and make big plays.

Although he is not really an unknown player after making a name for himself in 2010, Reid will emerge in 2011 as one of the leaders on a young, talented defense and will likely go on to become one of the best safeties to ever play at LSU.

Drew Alleman: Kicker

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State University Tigers reacts to a field goal during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo b

Despite losing one of the best kickers in the nation in Josh Jasper, the Tigers will come into the 2011 season with little or no drop off in performance from their kicker. 

The kicking game vacated by Jasper is in good hands as junior Drew Alleman replaces him. 

Alleman had a good performance in the spring game despite missing a field goal but more importantly has had a very solid spring as a whole.

Head coach Les Miles is really high on Alleman and has had nothing but good to say about him throughout this spring.

Anthony Johnson: Defensive Tackle

Incoming freshman Anthony Johnson, who took advantage of early enrollment to get on the field quicker, had two tackles and a sack in the Tigers’ spring game to let his coaches and Tiger fans know that he is ready to live up to his recruitment hype and step in to make an immediate impact.

Johnson has the potential to be the next superstar defensive tackle for the Tigers following in the footsteps of Drake Nevis, Tyson Jackson, Glenn Dorsey and Marcus Spears.

Spencer Ware: Running Back

Spencer Ware dominated the Tigers’ spring game, scoring two touchdowns and showing great patience and vision on his runs. 

Ware also ran great routes in the passing game and looked like a seasoned veteran. 

2011 should present Ware with more opportunities to really emerge as a starter and become a leader on this young team.

If he continues his great play from both the Cotton Bowl and the spring game, Ware has the chance to have a season that will rank among the best the Tigers have ever seen and quickly put himself in the Tiger football history books.

Kenny Hilliard: Running Back

Photo by SI.com

Spencer Ware is going to be at the top of the LSU depth chart, but with very little success by the rest of the Tiger running backs in the spring game, freshman Kenny Hilliard may get more opportunities than expected.

Hilliard, the nephew of former LSU and New Orleans Saints superstar running back Dalton Hilliard, will be looking to surpass his uncle on the LSU all-time rushing list. 

Dalton rushed for 4,050 yards as a Tiger, second best in LSU history. 

Kenny Hilliard set the Louisiana High School record with 8,603 yards and comes into college with high expectations.

In Les Miles' system that tends to use many running backs, Hilliard could get opportunities early in his career and prove to everyone that he can live up to the hype.