Should LSU Fans Be Worried about the Cornerbacks?

Article Courtesy of SEC Sports Hub

LSU fans are very worried about the cornerback position heading into the 2008 season. Both starting corners from last year, Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon, are gone. The simple fact is, LSU fans probably should not be that worried. 

They have some very talented youngsters ready to fill those starting roles and the guys who will be doing so already have some valuable experience.

This experience will give them a much-needed edge heading into the season and they will be much better off because of it. 

Few high school players are able to step straight into the college game and play at the SEC level without committing a slew of mistakes. 

Thanks to LSU’s great depth recruiting over the past few years, LSU will not need to call on any of them to do so. 

However, Pompano Beach cornerback Patrick Peterson is one of those players that can start straight out of high school, and many Tiger fans expect him to. 

Despite this expectation, Peterson probably will not fill a starting role this season, though he will almost definitely avoid a redshirt this year. 

Sophomore Jai Eugene, who looked great in limited action last year, likely has a starting spot locked up already, and redshirt freshman Phelon Jones will probably snag the second spot. 

This is good news for Tiger fans, because Eugene was a lockdown corner in high school and flashed that same potential last year. 

Phelon Jones should also be more than able to handle most SEC receivers. 

Chris Hawkins is the third candidate for the starting spot at corner, but he is likely on the outside looking in heading into fall practice. 

While many LSU fans feel that their cornerbacks may suffer a similar fate to that of the Florida Gators last year, that should not be the case. LSU’s corners have much more experience at this point and should have much more support. 

The defensive line should make it relatively easy on the corners. With good pressure the DBs will not have to cover the receivers for more than three seconds on most plays.

Florida’s corners were forced to cover receivers anywhere from four to six seconds due to an ineffective pass rush. 

LSU’s corners will also be supported by fairly strong safeties, a luxury Florida did not have for most of the season. 

In all probability, Eugene and Jones will likely continue the recent success of LSU cornerbacks, even if it does take them a few games to adjust.

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