LSU Football: Ranking Best Tigers from 2014 Regular Season

LSU did not have the season it wanted. 

The Tigers finished 8-4, which is their worst mark since 2008. But it could have been even worse. 

Credit must be given to LSU for salvaging a season that was met with an 0-2 conference start. The Tigers would win four of their remaining six conference games, finishing with an impressive 23-17 win on the road against Texas A&M.

LSU head coach Les Miles and the rest of the coaching staff deserve credit for making some changes after the slow start. The players responded with a three-game winning streak and a valiant effort against Alabama. 

Here are the six Tigers that stuck out above the rest this season.

6. Travin Dural

Wide receiver Travin Dural was the most surprising Tiger of 2014. 

LSU's receivers were expected to have a massive drop-off with the departures of Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Dural eased the pain with 37 catches for 758 yards and seven touchdowns, all of which led the team. The sophomore also served as a reliable blocker in the running game.  

LSU would not have beaten Wisconsin or Florida without Dural's heroics. For a guy that only caught seven passes last year, there is no telling how much better he can get in 2015. 

5. Danielle Hunter

USA TODAY Sports

LSU defensive end Danielle Hunter (right) chases down Kentucky receiver Ryan Timmons (left).

Danielle Hunter proved in 2014 why he is one of the most athletic defensive ends Miles has ever coached. 

Hunter's 64 tackles ranked third among defensive linemen in the SEC. He also accumulated six pass deflections, six pass breakups and a team-leading 12 tackles for loss.

Hunter's hustle had a contagious quality to the LSU defense. He was rewarded with a fumble recovery for a touchdown against Mississippi State. 

The only criticism of Hunter's season was his pass rushing. He struggled to generate pressure on the quarterback, as he raked in only 1.5 sacks. 

Nevertheless, Hunter was LSU's best defensive lineman this season. 

4. Leonard Fournette

It is hard to evaluate Leonard Fournette's freshman season. 

No LSU player has ever entered a season with the expectations Fournette had. He showed flashes of brilliance at times—and he has looked rather ordinary at others. 

Fournette welcomed the praise.

"For my freshman year—1,000-yard rusher, All-American, All-SEC and hopefully Heisman candidate," Fournette said before the season, per Glenn Guilbeau of The Shreveport Times. 

Fournette's debut year has left fans wanting more. He got off to a slow start and struggled throughout the season to break tackles for long runs. 

With that said, Fournette's 891 yards and eight touchdowns are both good for the team lead. He needs 111 yards in the bowl game to break the LSU freshman record, per Ross Dellenger of The Advocate.

There is no doubt Fournette is progressing. He has the talent to eventually be an All-SEC-caliber running back. This season was a good start.

3. La'el Collins

John Raoux/Associated Press

LSU left tackle La'el Collins (No. 70) blocks two Florida defenders.

LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins deserves respect from everyone in Baton Rouge. 

Collins would have likely been an early round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, but he turned down potential millions to come back to LSU for his senior season. 

The LSU offensive line was inconsistent at times, but the group eventually came together to form a formidable front. Collins was the biggest reason why. 

Most of Fournette's best runs this season came behind the left side. Collins often paved the way for him and the rest of the running game. 

"

That is an NFL block right there RT @Goldkamp247 LSU's La'el Collins blows Jon Bullard 5 yards off LOS https://t.co/DLlDuSo0S2

— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) October 13, 2014"

Collins was the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2011 class. It is safe to say he lived up to that potential during his LSU career.

2. Tre'Davious White

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

LSU cornerback Tre'Davious White (No. 16) breaks up a pass against Alabama's DeAndrew White.

LSU's cornerback Tre'Davious White quietly had a fantastic season. 

White was the Tigers' most reliable defensive back in coverage. He faced off against future NFL receivers like Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell and held his own.

Defensive coordinator John Chavis desperately needed White to play big this season. Chavis' defensive playbook was able to be more creative defensively because he trusted No. 16 in man coverage.  

White finished tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. He also had 32 tackles and three tackles for loss.

The highlight of White's season, though, came on special teams. He returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown against Kentucky. 

"

Watch 2013 #ArmyBowl alum Tre'Davious White return a punt for a TD, 67 yards untouched http://t.co/sdFELI3DRH #GeauxTigers

— #ArmyBowl (@ArmyAllAmerican) October 19, 2014"

LSU's secondary had numerous players worthy of recognition. Jalen Mills, Ronald Martin and Jamal Adams all had a case to make the list. But White had the hardest job of them all, and he performed admirably.

1. Kwon Alexander

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

LSU linebacker Kwon Alexander (No. 4) celebrates a big play against Texas A&M.

LSU's most versatile player was linebacker Kwon Alexander. 

Alexander led the Tigers with 79 tackles, which was 11 more than any other Tigers defender. He also raked in 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. 

Chavis' pass defense was able to do so many different things with Alexander. He showed he had the speed to keep up with slot receivers, tight ends and running backs in man coverage. Offenses also had to fear him blitzing at any moment. 

Alexander covered up so many holes on the LSU defense early in the season. He finally got some help when linebacker Kendell Beckwith and safety Adams were inserted into the lineup alongside him.

"

Proud of our guys for fighting back this year! #1 defense in the #SEC . #GeauxTigers #LSU pic.twitter.com/lhO8rL2Oeo

— John Chavis (@LSUCoachChavis) December 5, 2014"

LSU would not have finished as the No. 1 defense in the SEC without Alexander. The Tigers will be lucky to get him back for his senior season. 

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com, ESPN.com and LSU Sports Information. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.