LSU Football: Is It Rebuild or Reload for the Tigers' Defense in 2012?

The LSU Tigers' strength in 2012 will be the same as it was in 2011: ferocious defense.

That basically defines LSU football when you think about it. Season after season, it's the Tigers' defense that gets the most publicity, because nine times out of 10, it's the strength of the team.

However, the Tigers lost four big pieces on the defensive side of the football last year, and that warrants the question, will the Tigers be rebuilding or reloading on defense?

Of course, the Tigers have the likes of Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid, Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery returning, but this defense lost a lot too.

LSU's defense in 2011 was better than every other team not named Alabama, and it was because of guys like Michael Brockers on the defensive line, Ryan Baker at linebacker, Mo Claiborne at cornerback and Brandon Taylor at safety that they were as good as they were.

So, should Tiger fans be worried that they're no longer on the team?

If it was any other team losing four main pieces like that, they'd be in all sorts of trouble—but not LSU.

Allow me to introduce the Tigers incredibly athletic replacements.

The Freak

Replacing Brockers on the defensive line will be none other than Anthony "The Freak" Johnson.

Johnson was the consensus No. 1 defensive tackle coming out of high school, and in his freshman season last year, he earned a spot on Sporting News' 2011 Freshmen All-American Team.

In other words, don't expect production to drop down that much from that position. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see it go up with Johnson's potential.

Newcomers

Replacing Baker at linebacker will most likely be one of the Tigers' incoming freshmen. The Tigers recruited at linebacker very well, and I expect big things out of Kwon Alexander, Lorenzo Phillips and Ronny Feist.

Expect a good position battle out of these players, and you know what they say about iron sharpening iron.

Tharold Simon

Losing Claiborne is going to hurt, because not only was he a great lockdown corner, but he was extremely athletic and could intercept any throw off-target.

But fear not Tiger fans—Tharold Simon is going to be a good one.

LSU might as well be renamed to DBU (Defensive Back University) for its ability to produce high-level defensive backs. Simon showcased his abilities in 2011; he ranked third in the SEC in pass breakups and had two interceptions.

Craig Loston

Because of how great Taylor's play for the Tigers was last season, Craig Loston didn't receive as much playing time as fans thought he would receive.

Well, with Taylor gone, Loston will be called upon, and it's his time to shine. Loston is a fast and somewhat undersized safety, but he's known for delivering some brutal collisions on the field.

All in all, the Tigers are going to miss the production of those four fantastic defenders, but with how well the Tigers recruit and how deep they are on the bench, this defense could be even better than last year's.