LSU Football: The 10 Most Important People in the Program

LSU Football has been an ongoing tradition of excellence, but it can be argued that if the Tigers cap this year with a National Championship, it will be the greatest season in LSU Football history.

Of course success can not come without having the right people in place to create that success.

From the athletic director, to the coaches, to the players, there is an ongoing list of people who are respisble for making this such a memorable season for LSU football.

Let's break down the 10 most important in the program.

Bleacher Report Style!

1. The 12th Man

Go ahead and call Texas A&M the home of the 12th man, but when you finish a season a perfect 13-0 and obviously go undefeated while playing in a place like Death Valley, there is no doubt that LSU is home to the REAL 12th man in college football.

Simply put, team's just don't go into Baton Rouge and expect to leave with a victory. It just doesn't happen.

LSU has always been known for having a great home field advantage and they have their exceptional fans to thank for that.

2. Les Miles

Les Miles had a tough act to follow when he took over the LSU football head coaching position once Nick Saban bolted to the NFL.

But in his time in Baton Rouge, Miles has been simply amazing.

He has posted a 75-17 in his seven seasons at LSU and will be going for his second BCS National Title in those seven years when LSU takes on Alabama on Jan. 9.

Miles in 5-1 in six bowl games while at LSU, but this one will be his biggest yet. The program simply would not be where it is today without Les Miles.

3. Joe Alleva

The school athletic director can often be the forgotten man on these lists, but let's not the mistake of forgetting how important LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva is to LSU's football program.

Alleva came over from Duke University in 2008 and has been an outstanding asset for LSU's athletic program, especially the football program.

A season opener against No. 3-ranked Oregon at Cowboys Stadium? 

You can't get better than that.

4. Tyrann Mathieu

Tyrann Mathieu isn't the highest player on this list because he was a Heisman Trophy finalist. He is the highest player on this list because of his ability change the momentum in a game at any given time.

Mathieu is electric out on the football field and when it comes to the most important people in LSU's Football Program, its hard not to go with a guy who can lead them to a victory with his defense, punt returns, fumble recoveries, interception returns, ect...

Mathieu is the best defensive playmaker in the country, which is so fitting that he plays for the best defense in the country as well.

There isn't a defensive player in all of college football that means as much to his team as Tyrann Mathieu does to this LSU team. And it isn't just his ability as a defensive back.

5. Morris Claiborne

Tyrann Mathieu might be the best player on this LSU defense because he is so multi-talented, but it when it comes to best shutdown corners on this LSU, Morris Claiborne wins in a landslide here.

Claiborne has been exceptional this season for LSU, consistently shutting down opposing team's best wide receivers.

Without Morris Claiborne this defense would be nowhere near as good as it is and we might not even be talking about LSU in the National Championship Game.

Yes, that's how good he is. 

6. John Chavis

John Chavis has come into LSU and made an immediate mark in LSU's football program guiding this top defense.

Chavis is now in his third season serving as LSU's defensive coordinator and he has been exceptional in all three seasons.

Last season, LSU led the nation in pass defense and they are right up near the top again this season. 

Chances are that Chavis could come up in the conversation about coordinators who could get offered head coaching positions in the offseason. But that has become common at a defensive powerhouse program like LSU.

Look at the numbers this season. If defense does indeed win Championships, then Chavis is a very important aspect in LSU's success this season.

7. Sam Montgomery

No defense can be successful without having a feared pass rush, and that is where Sam Montgomery has made his mark with this LSU Football team.

Montgomery has been the team's top pass rusher this season, making it his job to apply constant pressure on opposing quaretrbacks. 

He was voted to the AP All-SEC team as a defensive end, and is arguably the top defensive lineman in the SEC this season.

8. Tommy Moffitt

Moffitt is considered by many across the college football world to be the top strength and conditioning coach not only in the SEC, but throughout the entire country.

Moffitt has been with the LSU program for 12 years now, and in those 12 years, LSU has won 123 games. He was on the staff for both of the Tigers' National Championship seasons in 2003 and in 2007.

If you wonder how LSU is constantly so fast and so well conditioned out on the football field? This is your answer right here.

9. Will Blackwell

When it comes to the top offensive linemen in college football, it would be unfair to end the conversation without mentioning LSU's WIll Blackwell.

Offensive linemen never seem to get the credit they deserve, especially offensive guards.

But don't you ever wonder how LSU has such a successful ground game? Don't you ever wonder who that is creating those gaping holes for the likes of Michael Ford, Spencer Ware, Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard.

That man is Will Blackwell. And he is as good as they come when talking about top offensive guards in college football today.

10. Jordan Jefferson

Yes, we all know-- Jordan Jefferson isn't the best quarterback in college football.

He's not even the best quarterback in the SEC, which is filled with inexperience across the board this season.

But the bottom line is that Jordan Jefferson is the best quarterback on this LSU football team, and the quarterback position is the most important position out on the football field. 

Jefferson has been very good since taking over the starting role midway through the season from Jarrett Lee. While he doesn't put up flashy numbers like Aaron Murray at Georgia or Tyler Wilson at Arkansas, he simply knows how to manage a game, and he can attack opposing defense with his ability to run and throw the ball.

Because of his pedestrian numbers, Jefferson will continue to get critized for his quarterback play. But bottom line, the guy is the starting quaretrback on the only undefeated team in college football, which is about to play for a National Championship.

Still got an argument with this one?