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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Oct 11, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) talks with running back Darrel Williams (34) prior to the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) talks with running back Darrel Williams (34) prior to the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Jamal Adams

Jamal Adams, a safety LSU star Tyrann Mathieu predicted to be “the best safety in college football,” enters his third year wearing purple and gold as a key cog in the Tiger defense. Adams started all 12 games at safety last season and earned second team All-SEC honors. A particular game of note for him came against Western Kentucky in which he racked up a forced fumble, 11 tackles, and a pick in an LSU rout.

Adams was ranked by Rivals as the second best safety in the 2014 recruiting class and adds to the long list of LSU players who have recently received preseason accolades (All-SEC second team defense, Jim Thorpe Award, and Bednarik Award watch lists). He is an athletic and physical safety with the ability to both soar for a pass defense on one play, while jumping the gap and forcing a fumble on the next.

The departure of reliable secondary star Jalen Mills gives Adams an important role in the defense to fill, and he will hope to use his elite talent and playmaking ability to play a Tyrann Mathieu-like role for next year’s squad.

Next: No. 3 Malachi Dupre