LSU Football Recruiting: 5 Positions the Tigers Can Get Away Without Filling

The LSU Tigers seem to be falling behind when it comes to the top recruiting classes in the nation, but there are a few positions that the Tigers can avoid concentrating on.

Don't get me wrong, this is not intended to say that the Tigers don't need to add depth to these positions and build toward the future, but for the 2012 season, the Tigers could get away without filling these positions.

As the Tigers add Lorenzo Phillips to their list of commitments and continue to wait and hope for Mario Edwards to change his commitment from Florida State to LSU, Tiger fans can bank on being just fine at these five positions regardless of what happens this offseason.

Defensive Back

The Tigers will miss Mo Claiborne, but their depth in the defensive backfield is ridiculous.

Yes, it hurt when Landon Collins chose Alabama over LSU, but just stop and think about the talent returning for the Tigers.

The Tigers will have the 2011 Bednarik Award Recipient Tyrann Mathieu wreaking havoc. Tharold Simon will hold down the other cornerback slot with Eric Reid and Craig Loston holding down the safety positions.

Expect the Honey Badger to continue taking what he wants and this secondary to lead the Tigers to another SEC Championship.

Tailback

The Tigers four-way rushing attack is getting older, but they still have at least two years left at LSU should they choose to return as seniors.

Even with Jeremy Hill's potential, I don't see any running back getting playing time with future juniors Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Alfred Blue sharing the ball with freshman sensation Kenny Hilliard.

Basically, the Tigers are loaded at running back, and depth is not an issue whatsoever.

Offensive Line

After losing T-Bob Hebert and Will Blackwell, these Tigers are still fierce up front.

Led by P.J. Lonergan, Chris Faulk and Alex Hurst, the Tigers will have plenty of veterans returning on the offensive line. That, and if Josh Dworaczyk proves eligible for a medical redshirt, the Tigers will be stacked up front.

But just for the purpose of this article, should he not gain another year of eligibility, the Tigers are still in great shape.

They still have La'el Collins anxiously waiting to get playing time, and if he lives up to his potential, he's going to be another great.

Fullback

It's nice that the Tigers can lose a great fullback in James Stampley and replace him with a stud like J.C. Copeland.

Built like a truck, Copeland provides the physicality that a team needs at fullback. He's basically a battering ram.

Clearing everything in his path by trampling over defender after defender, Copeland protects the running backs and gives them alleys to break loose.

That, and the fact that the Tigers can give Hilliard playing time there as well, gives them more than enough at fullback.

Quarterback

The Tigers are set at the quarterback position for 2012.

Now before you go throwing a temper tantrum, hear me out on this one. I can understand getting upset after Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee failed to live up to their potential, but Zach Mettenberger will be different.

Mettenberger has a rocket for an arm, and before getting arrested on charges of two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery, he was most likely going to be the starter for the Georgia Bulldogs over Aaron Murray.

Mettenberger has what it takes to bring the Tigers offense to the next level, and Stephen Rivers will make for a nice backup.