LSU football: 10 best players of the Les Miles Era

Aug 29, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) on the bench during the second half against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Morris Claiborne

Morris Claiborne was an integral part of the 2011 LSU defense that carried the Tigers all the way to an SEC Championship and the BCS National Championship Game.

Teammate and Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu may have have been the focus of the national media that season with his six forced fumbles, four recoveries, two interceptions and four total touchdowns. But Claiborne still made a tremendous impact on his way to winning the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back.

Claiborne would also earn first team All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors that season. He recorded six interceptions and finished the year with the most interception return yards in the country. He also had an impressive sophomore campaign, grabbing 5 interceptions. His career total of 11 is tied for the sixth-most in school history.

He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Although he has not quite lived up to the billing of a Top-10 draft pick, Claiborne’s collegiate career remains among the best in the LSU football program’s storied history.

Next: Patrick Peterson