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LSU Football: 10 Players the Tigers Can’t Afford to Lose

By Andrey Burin

Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) carries the ball past Florida Gators defensive back Keanu Neal (42) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) carries the ball past Florida Gators defensive back Keanu Neal (42) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) celebrates with guard Ethan Pocic (77) after a touchdown run against the Florida Gators during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) celebrates with guard Ethan Pocic (77) after a touchdown run against the Florida Gators during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Ethan Pocic

Though the Tigers saw the departure of Vadal Alexander and Jerald Hawkins—key members of last season’s O-line—the big and burly gentleman who delivered the ball into QB Brandon Harris’ hands last season will stay one and the same.

Center Ethan Pocic received a second-round draft grade from the NFL College Advisory Committee, he’s returning to the Tigers in 2016 to pave the way for Leonard Fournette and finish out his career at LSU. Standing at 6-foot-7 and 309 pounds and having racked up an outstanding 200+ knockdown blocks in his first three seasons, Pocic’s leadership (“A leader on the field and in the meeting rooms” according to coaches) is the proverbial icing on a (massive) cake.

A quiet leader of the Tigers’ line and offense in general, Pocic’s mentoring of younger linemen and resiliency in coming back from injury show that he brings strong intangible skills in addition to his great size and undisputed acumen as a blocker. The likely high-round 2017 NFL Draft pick aims to anchor a young offensive line and should help lead this squad to a successful season.

Next: No. 9 Davon Godchaux

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