AU FOOTBALL 2008: With Perrilloux gone, LSU looks for answers at quarterback

Following the dismissal of presumptive starting quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, defending national champion LSU comes into the 2008 season with three unproven quarterbacks.

By: OANOW STAFF | OANow.com
Published: May 30, 2008

Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a series previewing Auburn’s 2008 football opponents. This week: LSU (Sept. 20). The series will run weekly.

No 2008 national-title contender had a worse offseason than LSU.

The Bayou Bengals ended 2007 with a national championship and high hopes for a repeat in ’08. But the early-May dismissal of troubled quarterback Ryan Perrilloux changed everything.

Perrilloux, who backed up senior Matt Flynn last season, played well in spot duty in 2007 and was poised for a big 2008. But after he was dismissed May 2 for violating team rules, eventually winding up at Jacksonville State, LSU’s quarterback situation became much less clear.

Fortunately, head coach Les Miles spent spring practice getting a good look at Perrilloux’s potential replacements. Perrilloux was suspended for spring practice for an unrelated violation of team rules, leaving the practice reps to junior Andrew Hatch and redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee.

Hatch, a walk-on who transferred from Harvard, reminds some observers of Flynn, though he lacks Flynn’s experience or running ability. Lee is considered more talented, but his inexperience could make him a tough sell.

True freshman Jordan Jefferson could get a look later in the season.

Whoever wins the quarterback job — Miles expects it to be settled in preseason practice — gets the controls of one of the nation’s highest-powered offenses.

It starts with the offensive line, which returns four starters. Tackle Ciron Black, guards Herman Johnson and Lyle Hitt and center Brett Helms are all back; Black and Johnson are big-time NFL prospects. Right tackle Joseph Barksdale, a former defensive tackle, is the lone new starter, and LSU coaches are excited about his potential.

Protecting the quarterback will be the No. 1 mission for LSU’s linemen, but clearing holes for the run game is also a high priority. Though the Bayou Bengals will miss fullback Jacob Hester, there’s plenty of ball-carrying talent.

Junior Keiland Williams leads the tailback committee, which also features speedsters Richard Murphy and Trindon Holliday and power runner Charles Scott. Williams ran for 478 yards and six touchdowns last season despite averaging just five carries per game.

Every year, LSU boasts one of the SEC’s top receiving corps; this season is no different.

Senior Demetrius Byrd, who caught the game-winning touchdown last season against Auburn, and junior Brandon LaFell both return. Depth is a question: Reserves Terrance Tolliver, Ricky Dixon and Jared Mitchell combined for 23 catches last season, less than half LaFell’s total of 50.

LSU’s trademark over the past decade has been a tough, physical and speedy defense.

This season’s edition is short on experience but long on talent. Though coordinator Bo Pelini and stars Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith, Jonathan Zenon, Chevis Jackson and Craig Steltz have all moved on, the defense has a bright future.

The defensive line will miss Dorsey, of course. But veterans Ricky Jean-Francois, Kirston Pittman and Tyson Jackson are solid players, and senior Marlon Favorite is poised for a big year.

If juniors Rahim Allen and Al Woods can provide a pass-rush punch, the Bayou Bengals will once again have one of the Southeastern Conference’s top defensive lines.

At linebacker, Darry Beckwith finally has a chance to step out of Highsmith’s shadow.

Beckwith, a second-team All-SEC selection last season, could be a star this year. He’s the leader of a solid linebacking corps that also includes talented youngsters Kelvin Sheppard, Perry Riley, Shomari Clemens and Kellen Theriot.

The defensive backfield will miss Steltz, Zenon and Jackson, who combined for 87 career starts. But senior safety Curtis Taylor, a reliable center fielder, is back. He’s joined by junior safety Harry Coleman, a special-teams standout last season.

There are questions at cornerback, where redshirt freshmen Ron Brooks and Phelon Jones are pushing junior Chris Hawkins and sophomore Jai Eugene. The veterans’ experience kept them atop the depth chart in spring practice, but Brooks and Jones could be in the starting lineup soon.

cmickle@oanow.com | 737-2561