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30 college football players with big shoes to fill in 2017

By Brad Weiss

Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Arden Key (49) and safety John Battle (26) celebrate after a defensive stop against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Arden Key (49) and safety John Battle (26) celebrate after a defensive stop against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
8

John Battle

Safety, LSU

For the LSU Tigers, the 2017 season will be one where they replace some of the biggest names on their roster from a year ago. None is bigger than Jamal Adams, who many believed to be the best football player in the 2017 NFL Draft class. Adams was an absolute beast at safety during his time with the Tigers, and will now be patrolling the middle of the New York Jets secondary, after being selected as the No. 6 overall pick in the draft.

In the secondary, the Tigers will not only be replacing an All-American in Adams, but also a first-round talent at cornerback in Tre’Davious White. Head coach Ed Orgeron does have the talent he needs on the roster to be solid in the defensive backfield once again in 2017, and John Battle is a name you are going to be hearing a lot. Battle is ready to take the mantle as the next great safety at LSU, and after playing behind Adams the last few seasons, he knows what lies ahead of him.

Battle came into LSU as a cornerback, which shows you the kind of versatility he has. Last season, Battle got to get some serious action, as he came in as a replacement when Rickey Jefferson was injured. He started seven games for the Tigers, playing very well, cementing his place as the next in line to lead the safety spot at LSU.

As a senior, Battle has been through plenty of wars during his time at LSU, and was not that surprised when Adams decided to leave school a year early. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, and has the size and speed to be an impact player for the Tigers this season. The SEC is going to be loaded once again in 2017, but if Orgeron can get this defense to play the way they did down the stretch in 2016, they could be a team to beat.

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