LSU football report card: Midseason grades

Sep 12, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) and cornerback Tre’Davious White (18) fail to stop a touchdown reception by Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver De’Runnya Wilson (1) during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium. LSU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Backs: C

Of all the areas for the LSU football team to take a step back in 2015, the secondary was certainly not expected to be one of them.

The unit features a combination of promising young talent and veteran leaders, both of which have NFL potential. Even with teams like the Florida Gators threatening the Tigers’ stronghold on the title of ‘best secondary in the SEC’, the unit was still expected to remain among the best in the country.

That has failed to occur up to this point in the season.

LSU finds itself in the middle of the pack nationally in several major categories when it comes to defending the pass, with big plays coming few and far between.

The Bayou Bengals rank 49th in the nation in passing efficiency against, 46th in interceptions and 45th in passing yards allowed. Sophomore safety Jamal Adams is the only defensive back on the team to record more than one interception.

Perhaps most troubling, though, is the Tigers’ tendency to give up big plays through the air. It nearly cost them last week’s contest with Florida, and is something that will come back them if it continues throughout the home stretch of the season.

Despite these glaring issues, the LSU secondary has the talent to shut down some of the best passing attacks in the country. With senior safety Jalen Mills returning from injury last week, the defensive backfield could be primed for a turnaround in the second half.

Next: Special Teams