LSU Football: 10 Players the Tigers Can’t Afford to Lose
By Andrey Burin
9. Davon Godchaux
Now jumping to the defensive line, this spot on the list belongs to a hard-working and powerful tackle who filled up the middle of the field and disrupted offenses to the tune of six sacks and nine tackles for loss last season. Godchaux finished last season on a strong note—picking up two sacks and a forced fumble in LSU’s rout of Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl.
Davon is a Louisiana native (Plaquemine) and has risen up from difficult circumstances. A feature story from The Advocate detailed Godchaux’s inspiring story of (as a youth) coming home to see his living room shot up by enemies of his uncle and the overwhelming resilience he showed in constantly improving himself in the classroom and on the field despite a twin brother in jail and a knee injury he suffered his senior year.
Godchaux is on the preseason watch lists for both the Nagurski and the Outland trophies and will be a central piece in the LSU defense. These pre-season accolades are a sharp contrast to the attention (or lack of it) that he received before his freshman year.
In 2014, Godchaux surprised many by overcoming injury and vaulting up the depth chart. His speed and fast-twitch athleticism have helped to make him a cornerstone of the D-line and new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will seek to utilize him often throughout the the upcoming season.
Next: No. 8 Tre'Davious White