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

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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Tre'Davious White
Oct 5, 2013; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver De’Runnya Wilson (81) makes a reception against LSU Tigers defensive back Tre’Davious White (16) at Davis Wade Stadium. LSU Tigers defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 59-26. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Tre’Davious White

After continuing LSU’s tradition of producing elite cornerbacks (à la Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu) by performing at a high level his first three seasons, many expected Tre’Davious White to enter the NFL Draft—especially after he received a draft grade of “late first-round” and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Despite being a likely draft pick, White joined several other players considered strong draft prospects when he announced in January that he would be returning to Death Valley.

The LSU pass defense (ranked 51st in the NCAA in terms of team passing efficiency defense) had a down year in 2015, and White will hope to be a catalyst in its improvement while beefing up his draft stock and upping his production from last year when he didn’t record an interception.

Despite not snagging any picks last season, White was an exceptional and physical DB for the Tigers, also making his mark via the punt return game. As the most veteran member of the secondary, the coaching staff will expect him to mentor up-and-coming corner backs like Saivion Smith and Kristian Fulton. As one of the best corner backs in the SEC last season, White’s talent propped up the LSU secondary, and he will hope to bring both his game, and the defense as a whole, to new heights in 2016.

Next: No. 7 Kendell Beckwith