LSU WR Travin Dural Has Been Tigers' MVP Through 2 Games

LSU wide receiver Travin Dural has been the Tigers' best player in 2014. 

Dural has caught six passes for 291 yards and four touchdowns in only two games. Last season, Dural only caught seven passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. 

But in Dural's defense, passes were not thrown to him for good reason. 

Former Tigers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. were arguably the two best receivers in the Les Miles era. Landry and Beckham Jr. were the third duo in SEC history to each eclipse 1,000 yards in a season. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger rarely had to throw the ball to anyone else. 

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The pair of pass-catchers shredded SEC secondaries in 2013. Dural was the No. 3 receiver, but he was mainly a non-factor. He never had more than one catch in a game.

Dural rarely created separation from defensive backs last season. Most, if not all, of his catches were a byproduct of pinpoint passes from Mettenberger and the opposition's respect for Landry and Beckham Jr.

Dural's most memorable catch was a 49-yard game-winning score against Arkansas. He got the glory, but Landry called the play and created the opportunity, per the Daily Reveille.  

Now Dural is making plays with defenses knowing he is the No. 1 option. LSU's first touchdown against Sam Houston State was a record-breaking 94-yard touchdown catch. He would go on to catch two more passes, both for touchdowns.

Wisconsin had no answer for Dural either. His 151 yards in the season opener were more yards than what he accumulated in all of 2013. 

Dural's 291 receiving yards this season have come on only six receptions, which averages out to 48.5 yards per catch. That is more than 21 yards better than any other receiver in the SEC.

LSU has not played an elite secondary yet. But Dural's numbers thus far are representative of how dangerous he has been on deep passes. This will force safeties to respect his ability to make game-breaking plays, which will open up more options for LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. 

Dural has had some help. Freshmen John Diarse, Trey Quinn and Malachi Dupre have all shown flashes of brilliance. Expect those four to continue to grow as a unit no matter if Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings is at quarterback. 

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LSU's receivers need to continue their high level of play to keep pace with the rest of the SEC. Auburn's Sammie Coates and D'Haquille Williams, Alabama's Amari Cooper and Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell are just a few of the fantastic playmakers out wide in the division. 

The only thing stopping Dural could be himself. He was at fault in a car accident last Sunday that required him to have stitches on his forehead, per The Advocate. Miles said his star receiver "should be fine" to play on Saturday against UL-Monroe. 

If the super sophomore can remain healthy, he could be on his way to a first-team All-SEC season. This would be an impressive feat considering he did not make preseason third-team All-SEC in either the coaches or media polls, per SECSports.com. 

It is hard to predict how Dural finishes the season. But as of right now, he has unquestionably been LSU's Most Valuable Player. 

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com and LSU Sports Information. Recruiting ratings courtesy of 247Sports. Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow me on Twitter@CarterthePower.