LSU Football 2012: 5 Players That Need to Have Strong Outing in Spring Game

With the spring game approaching, the LSU Tigers need strong outings from five key players.

The amount of talent that the Tigers return on offense and defense is ridiculous, but they still have holes to fill at the quarterback, wide receiver, defensive line, linebacker and at defensive back.

Furthermore, the Tigers need to see strong performances by players that are stepping in to fill the shoes of previous greats like Rueben Randle, Michael Brockers, Mo Claiborne and Brandon Taylor.

These are the five LSU players that need to show or reassert their dominance in the spring game.

Zach Mettenberger

The quarterback position and Zach Mettenberger has been talked about so much, but after four seasons of Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson running the offense, it can't be talked about enough.

It is imperative for Mettenberger to come out in the spring game and dazzle LSU fans with his strong arm, especially after Louisiana football fans suffered from the news of the New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton being suspended for a year.

Actually, 2012 has not been too kind to Louisiana football fans whatsoever, but I don't need to go into the details about that. Back to Mettenberger, we know the tools are there, so it's time for him to show them.

Mettenberger plus Steve Kragthorpe should equal All-SEC quarterback play, and it all begins with the spring game.

Kenny Hilliard

I've said it once and I'll say it again—the Tigers have the deepest running back rotation in the country.

Sure there are other great ones like Oregon with DeAnthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner, but LSU's depth with Spencer Ware, Alfred Blue, Michael Ford, Terrance Magee, Jeremy Hill and Kenny Hilliard is unbelievable.

It's going to be hard to find reps with such a talented backfield, and that's why Hilliard needs to build off of his late-season success and have an impressive showing in the spring game.

Every one of those running backs is capable of being the starter, but Hilliard's the most physical back of the bunch. Hilliard needs to reassert his dominance and get himself the starting job for next season.

Jarvis Landry

The Tigers need someone to step up at wide receiver and fill Rueben Randle's shoes, and Jarvis Landry has the talent to do so.

Landry made a big impact on special teams last year by making the biggest hits, and now it's time for him to show his skills at wide receiver.

Landry had only four catches last season, but with Mettenberger slinging the rock, the Tigers should spread the ball around more.

He's a physical receiver that is very agile and has the moves to shake defenders in the secondary.

Anthony Johnson

It's a good thing that the Tigers have loads of talent on the defensive line.

Losing a player like Michael Brockers would certainly prove to be a major blow for any team, but LSU has so much talent there that it might go unnoticed.

This is where Anthony "The Freak" Johnson steps in. Johnson is like a ball of muscle that is extremely tough to block because he gets great leverage and has great technique.

Look for Johnson to have a coming out party this spring.

Tharold Simon

If anybody can fill Mo Claiborne's shoes, it's Tharold Simon.

Simon doesn't allow wide receivers a lot of separation and closes on the ball extremely quickly.

His abilities allowed him to rank third in the SEC in pass breakups with 10 all season, despite the fact that he saw limited playing time because he wasn't a starter.

Simon also had two interceptions last year, but Tiger fans can expect him to grab a lot more as the Tigers' top cornerback this season. They don't call LSU DBU (Defensive Back University) for nothing.