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3 LSU football players that must step up for Tigers to have a chance at SEC title

By Shayne Nissen

Oct 10, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Myles Brennan (15) throws a pass against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Myles Brennan (15) throws a pass against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

These LSU football players need to have All-SEC seasons for the Tigers to contend for the SEC title.

Last year was a shock to the system for LSU football. It was a reminder that if you want to be considered an elite program, you have to figure out how to reload.

The Tigers were certainly elite in 2019, winning the program’s first national championship since 2007 behind a team that many consider being one of the best in college football history.

But head coach Ed Orgeron still has some things to learn before he can get LSU to be a consistent power. This year, the Tigers will be looking to bounce back from a 5-5 season and if the end of last season is any indication, they have a chance to do just that.

The last two games that the Tigers played last season were wins, one against a No. 6 ranked Florida team and the other against Lane Kiffin’s Mississippi squad.

The Tigers are definitely trending upward but it will take a lot for them to just get back to the top of the SEC. If the Tigers want to do that, here are the players that need to step up.

LSU needs their stars to play like stars to have a chance at the SEC crown

3. Derek Stingley Jr.

If an LSU fan were to read Derek Stingley on this list after 2019, they would probably have a lot of questions, and for good reason.

Stingley was fantastic alongside Grant Delpit in 2019 and finished as a second-team All-American. He led the SEC in interceptions with six and passes defended with 15 while also adding 38 tackles.

He took a severe step back last year though in 10 games. He failed to record an interception and had just six passes defended.

Part of this is attributed to the rest of the defense being so inexperienced as they returned just three starters from the 2019 team. On top of that Bo Pelini came in as a first-year defensive coordinator and switched to a 4-3 defense.

The team will be in the same defense this year, but under a new defensive coordinator in Daronte Jones and returning nine starters.

The Tigers need a rebirth on defense to compete in the SEC this season and that will start with Stingely getting back to his 2019 form and locking down opposing receivers.

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