College Football 2011: Top 10 LSU Players of 2011

Players that could have easily been in top 10

DT Anthony Johnson (FR)

Yes, the guy hasn’t played a down of college football, but there’s a reason his nickname is “The Freak.” Freshman defensive tackle Anthony Johnson was an Under Armour All-American and was named First-Team All-USA by USA Today. Many believe he will be a starter come September and be a force in the middle.

CB Tharold Simon (So.)

LSU really showed how deep the secondary was last year when sophomore cornerback Tharold Simon came in the game against Alabama and swatted a pass away from Julio Jones. I was super impressed with Simon at the spring game, as he made some fantastic plays breaking up passes and allowed no separation between the receivers.

RT Alex Hurst (Jr.)

Redshirt junior right tackle Alex Hurst is a returning starter, and he will be an important piece of the offensive line this fall.

SS Brandon Taylor (Sr.)

Senior safety Brandon Taylor had a good year last season before getting injured, and he had a good sophomore season as well. Taylor will provide experience to a young but very talented secondary.

RB Michael Ford (So.)

Redshirt sophomore running back Michael Ford came to LSU with the most hype at running back but isn’t getting the same attention after sophomore Spencer Ware’s brilliant Cotton Bowl performance. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Ford led the Tigers in rushing this season.

FS Craig Loston (So.)

Redshirt sophomore Craig Loston is a hard-hitting safety that has a great knack for finding the ball.

10. WR Russell Shepard (Jr.)

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BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 16: Russell Shepard #10 of the Louisiana State University Tigers is tackled by London Durham #10 of the McNeese State Cowboys at Tiger Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Cowboys 32-10

No one can deny that when junior wide receiver Russell Shepard has the ball, it’s something special to watch. Shepard is an elusive receiver with great speed and improved hands.

He could finally have that breakout season Tiger fans have been anticipating since he arrived on campus.

9. SS Eric Reid (So.)

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Luther Ambrose #22 of the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks is tackled by Eric Reid #1 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the

Sophomore safety Eric Reid made his presence known when he touched the ball in 2010, and I look for him to do the same this season. He is a great tackler and is great at covering as well.

8. LG Josh Dworaczyk (Sr.)

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 07: Deangelo Peterson #19 of the Louisiana State University Tigers celebrates his touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide with Josh Dworaczyk #68, Lyle Hitt #65 and Terrance Toliver #80 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 7,

Redshirt senior left guard Josh Dworaczyk started all 12 games last year and had a solid season. Look for Dworaczyk to continue that success he gained a year ago this season.

7. MLB Ryan Baker (Sr.)

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers against Ryan Baker #22 of the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

With the loss of Kelvin Sheppard, someone will have to fill the void at middle linebacker for the Tigers. Senior Ryan Baker is expected to fill this hole and fill it well.

Baker showed how tough he was last year when he played the first month of the season with his mouth wired shut after he broke his jaw. He finished second on the team in tackles last year and is expected to lead the Tigers this year.

6. DE Barkevious Mingo (So.)

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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

It’s really unfair to have a player that runs a 4.4 playing end, and LSU knows this is a huge advantage. Redshirt sophomore defensive end Barkevious Mingo is quick off the ball and is good at containing the edge.

Mingo had 2.5 sacks last year, and along with redshirt sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery, the Tigers should have an excellent pass rush this season.

5. C P.J. Lonergan (Jr.)

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: P.J. Lonergan #64 of the LSU Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Junior center P.J. Lonergan won the starting job at center when T-Bob Hebert got a DUI last offseason. Lonergan played outstanding for the Tigers and will continue to be the starter at center this year.

4. CB Morris Claiborne (Jr.)

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 06: Darius Hanks #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide avoids a tackle by Morris Claiborne #17 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty I

The media is extremely high on junior cornerback Morris Claiborne, and some believe he is the best player LSU has.

Claiborne is an extremely talented corner in an extremely talented secondary. Look for this LSU defense to pick off plenty of passes this fall.

3. RB Spencer Ware (So.)

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Spencer Ware #16 of the Louisiana State University Tigers is tackled by Michael Hodges #37 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythe

Sophomore running back Spencer Ware spent most of his freshman season catching the ball out of the backfield.

Ware showed that he’s just as good rushing the ball out of the backfield in the Cotton Bowl, and he’s the preseason starter. Ware is an explosive and elusive back with great hands and is poised for a breakout season.

2. WR Rueben Randle (Jr.)

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Rueben Randle #2 of the LSU Tigers pulls in this touchdown reception against Josh Bynes #17 of the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Junior wide receiver Rueben Randle is a stud. Randle has great hands, great speed and great route-running ability. If LSU can get him the ball, he’ll make big play after big play for the Tigers.

1. CB Tyrann Mathieu (So.)

Every two or three years, a player emerges from the pack that just stands out. Sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu is one of those guys.

He has that football instinct that every player wishes he possessed. Mathieu forced six fumbles and had one interception as a true freshman last season. He’s a natural playmaker, and the sky’s the limit for this cat.