LSU Football: SEC WRs, Get Ready for Tyranny on the Bayou

Most teams losing an All-American cornerback that is being compared to Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and widely considered the best player in the NFL draft would be uneasy about the task of replacing him in the upcoming season.

That should be the case with the LSU Tigers as they lose Patrick Peterson, one of the greatest players in school history, to the 2011 NFL draft.

However, the daunting task of replacing the superstar is a lot easier when you have a replacement that may ultimately end up being better.

As a Tiger fan, it is hard to imagine someone replacing Peterson and actually being better, but if anyone has a chance to do such a thing, it’s sophomore sensation Tyrann Mathieu.

As a freshman in 2010, Mathieu put up numbers that most coaches would expect to see from a veteran leader, not a situational nickel defender.

Mathieu ranked fifth on the team in tackles, with 50, 7.5 of which were for loss and added 3.5 sacks for good measure.

He also forced three fumbles and recovered two of them.

Mathieu received many praises from Peterson in 2010 and Peterson even stated at one point that he felt that Mathieu was further along in his development as a freshman that he was at the same point in his career.

Going into the 2011 season, Mathieu is not only taking Peterson’s position, but his jersey as well. 

Mathieu will make the switch from No. 14 to No. 7 and Tiger fans hope that he fills that jersey and those enormous shoes well.

There is no doubt that Tyrann Mathieu will be a sensational cornerback in the SEC, but only time will tell if he can truly replace his legendary predecessor and dominate wide receivers on a weekly basis.

He'll get a big opportunity to prove himself against a speedy and pass-happy offense, as the Tigers take on the Oregon Ducks on September 3 in front of a national audience on ESPN.