LSU football positional breakdown for the 2015 season

Aug 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jalen Mills (28) is congratulated after making an interception during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at NRG Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Badgers 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Despite what Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves may think, LSU is still the true owner to the title of ‘Defensive Back University’. This year’s group could be the most talented to take the field for the Tigers since the 2011 secondary that carried them to an SEC Championship.

That unit featured five future NFL Draft picks. It would be a little premature to state that the 2015 LSU secondary will equal that number, but the talent is certainly there. Senior safety Jalen Mills is easily NFL worthy, as he nearly entered the draft this offseason. His counterpart, Jamal Adams, is poised for a breakout season following an impressive freshman campaign.

Junior starter Tre’Davious White has elite cornerback written all over him, and it would not surprise me if he bolted for the NFL following the season. Ed Paris, a highly-touted recruit a year ago, is expected to start alongside him. Paris’ sample size in 2014 was rather small, but his potential is unquestioned.

Dwayne Thomas’ suspension will be a big loss for the nickel and dime packages until he returns. Thomas has served as a jack-of-all-trades for the Tigers, seeing action in essentially every role in the secondary.

His absence will, however, opens the door for a pair of talented true freshmen to make an immediate impact. Donte Jackson and Kevin Tolliver II were among the most sought after defensive back recruits of 2015, and both will have the opportunity to emerge as potential stars from Day 1.

Next: Special Teams