7 Players the Tigers Will Miss the Most

The LSU Tigers are a young football team, but there are a few players that this team will miss next season.

For this article, I’m assuming Mo Claiborne leaves for the 2012 NFL draft and Rueben Randle returns to the team. While I’m hearing that Randle’s draft stock has been rising, I think he will benefit from the gunslinging Zach Mettenberger next season and develop into a first-round pick.

With that said, what players will the 2011 SEC Champions miss the most?

Well, if anything, this article might make LSU fans more confident for years to come, because the Tigers' most dynamic playmakers are freshmen and sophomores, with the exception of Claiborne.

However, these players have made a tremendous impact on this season, and Tigers fans will miss their presence on the field.

Brandon Taylor

While Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu enjoyed most of the print and rewards this season, Brandon Taylor was the leader of this secondary.

He was the glue that kept this group together, and Tigers fans will miss his presence in the secondary undoubtedly.

Obviously, the Tigers are deep at that position, and I expect Craig Loston to fill his spot next season, but it’s going to be tough to do as good a job as Taylor did.

Taylor is second on the team in tackles with 67, and he had a sack and two interceptions this year, as well.

Taylor’s leadership and big plays this season have helped the Tigers become such an undefeated juggernaut this season.

Ryan Baker

Pretty soon you’ll start noticing a pattern with these upperclassmen, and that’s their great leadership skills.

I had the chance to talk to Ryan Baker at SEC Media Days this past summer, and he was upbeat and strictly business.

I could tell that he knew his football and that he was itching to get back out there this fall, and his handiwork on the field proves it.

Baker was fourth on the team in tackles with 58, and he’s done a fantastic job of covering backs coming out of the backfield.

The Tigers will have a tough time filling that void at linebacker next year.

James Stampley

I’m going to miss this guy a lot.

Fortunately for the Tigers, they have a sophomore in J.C. Copeland who acts like his twin.

I’m old school, so my favorite formation in football is the I-formation, and I absolutely love when teams line up in it and pound the ball behind their physical fullback.

That’s exactly what the Tigers did this year with Stampley and Copeland.

I remember when Dominique Allen was kicked off the team last year, I started reading more about Stampley in practice. The thing Stampley was notorious for was breaking helmets because of his punishing blocks.

Then we saw him in action, and he blocked like a bulldozer. I’m going to miss Stampley’s physicality.

Ron Brooks

Ron Brooks has always been a guy that I’ve questioned for getting as much playing time as he did, but Brooks quieted any critics he may have had this season.

Brooks' playing time was limited this season because of the great players at secondary, but when he got the opportunity, he certainly made the most of it.

This season, Brooks had two forced fumbles, two interceptions and 29 tackles.

Brooks certainly had a great season and provided that secondary with the depth that’s been a game-changer all season.

Will Blackwell

Will Blackwell has had a great career at LSU.

When looking forward to next season, the thing I worry about the most is the offensive line.

The reason for that is because the Tigers will be losing Blackwell, T-Bob Hebert and Josh Dworaczyk.

They have young talent, but this offensive line has been so dominant this season that it’s only natural to wonder if these young up-and-comers can do the same.

Blackwell was named first team All-SEC for his outstanding play this season, and he will be missed.

T-Bob Hebert

Love him or hate him, T-Bob Hebert has been there when the Tigers have needed him the most.

Whether it was P.J. Lonergan or Dworaczyk going down with injuries this season, Hebert stepped up to the plate and filled those positions.

He not only filled the positions, but he did a great job this season for the Tigers.

Hebert is what LSU football is all about.

Mo Claiborne

Every LSU fan will miss this guy.

Mo Claiborne made huge interceptions all season long in important games.

His interception in the Alabama game turned the tide—no pun intended—and his interception against Mississippi State was amazing.

Claiborne won the Jim Thorpe Award this season for the nation’s top defensive back, and he’s considered to be a Top 10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

It’s not hard to see why. All you have to do is play a short highlight reel of Claiborne this season, and it’s sure to wow anybody at the next level.

Claiborne reminded me of Corey Webster this season with the way he intercepted passes and was able to lock down guys.

I have no doubts he’ll have a magnificent NFL career.