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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3a7e66d6e86d1cc955db9ce1686cb944a3fb4e7852c2bb853f52e515dd0a7db3.jpg)
No. 7 Kendell Beckwith
The amount of unexpectedly returning talent is a good sign. LSU has been an NFL draft pick factory for a long time, and with that territory comes players declaring early. Continuing the theme of valuable veterans declining a seven-figure signing bonus to stick with the team for another year, LSU will be retaining its star linebacker and defensive captain, Kendall Beckwith.
Recently selected as a member of the preseason All-SEC team, Beckwith is one the most reliable tacklers on the roster and pairs a solid build with a skilled understanding of the pace of the game and a rare speed (for a 252-pound LB) that enables him to burst through hopeful blockers to make the needed tackle. One of the few seniors on the defensive side of the ball, Beckwith joins together with a freshman, a sophomore, and a converted safety to make up the incoming linebacker corps.
He finished second on the team in tackles last year, and strung together several double-digit tackle games in the middle of the season and finished the year off with a staggering four tackles for loss in the Texas Bowl. Prior to joining the Tigers, Beckwith was the No.1 prospect in all of Louisiana and will be hoping to grow his NFL Draft stock to that same upper echelon.
Next: No. 6 Travin Dural