A closer look at LSU football for August 9, 2012
CONDITIONS
WEDNESDAY’S WEATHER: 91 and partly cloudy.
THURSDAY’S FORECAST: 90 degrees with a 40 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Conditions at practice are expected to be about 82 degrees with partly cloudy skies.
COMING UP
The Tigers will have one morning practice at 9:15 a.m. as the team works toward Saturday’s first preseason scrimmage. Practices are closed to the public.
IN FOCUS
Kevin Minter
NO.: 46
POSITION: MLB
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 242
CLASS: Jr.
WHAT HE’S DONE: Stepped into the void left by former MLB Kelvin Sheppard last season and played in all 14 games, ranking fifth on the team (third among returning players) with 61 tackles and one fumble recovery.
AT HIS BEST: LSU’s most experienced linebacker, Minter has grown into his position and appears poised to be an even more productive tackler in 2012.CAUSE FOR CONCERN: Not so much about Minter, but LSU’s linebacker depth in general. The Tigers will be counting big time on true freshmen at all three spots, including Trey Granier at middle linebacker behind Minter and sophomore D.J. Welter.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
14 LSU’s winning streak from 2011 Cotton Bowl through 2011 SEC Championship Game, second longest in school history (Record: 19, 1957-59).
116 Number of
tackles Sheppard had as a senior in 2010.
118 Combined total tackles for LSU’s top four returning linebackers (Minter, Tahj Jones, Lamin Barrow and Luke Muncie).
WORTH REPEATING
“(Kevin) Minter played half the time last year. He did a very adequate job, he has improved his game. He is becoming a leader for us. He’s a physical guy that can run.”
— LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis
MINGO HONORED
Junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo has been named a nominee for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works team, according to a news release.
A total of 117 players will be nominated nationwide for the Good Works team.
DIGITAL FOOTBALL
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