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 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Jalen Tabor (31) tackles LSU Tigers wide receiver Malachi Dupre (15) on an incomplete pass in 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; Florida Gators defensive back Jalen Tabor (31) tackles LSU Tigers wide receiver Malachi Dupre (15) on an incomplete pass in the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 Malachi Dupre

Third-year star WR Malachi Dupre is a playmaker. Ranked as the No.2 receiver in the 2014 national recruiting class, his signing was a coup for the Tiger offense, and he has largely lived up to the hype so far.

Death Valley has typically played home to an elite-level running game, and Leonard Fournette has even further deepened the Tigers’ reliance on the run game. This is great when Fournette is ripping off three 200+ yard games in a row and making headlines as one of the best college RBs of all time. However, in addition to shaky play for the quarterback position over the last few years, this can lead to decreased production and roles for elite wide receivers.

Dupre led the team in all major receiving categories last year, and showed his great ability to make big plays against Florida when he racked up 115 yards and two TDs on only four catches in a dramatic victory. The former Louisiana state champion in the triple, long, and high jump is expected to contend for the title of best WR in the nation next year, and along with Travin Dural could make up a very formidable receiving corps next year.

Next: No. 2 Brandon Harris