It wasn’t all bad news for LSU football on Wednesday
By Zach Ragan
LSU football lost several key players on Wednesday to the NFL draft, but they also kept a couple.
LSU football suffered a mass exodus on Wednesday, with several key players announcing their intentions to head to the NFL.
I guess that’s one downside of winning the national championship?
(Just kidding, there’s no downside to winning the national championship.)
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, safety Grant Delpit, linebacker Patrick Queen, linebacker Jacob Phillips, center Lloyd Cushenberry and left tackle Saahdiq Charles have all announced they’re declaring early for the 2020 NFL Draft.
That’s a lot of talent leaving Baton Rouge (especially at the linebacker position).
But it wasn’t all bad news on Wednesday.
Two key Tigers announced they’ll be returning to LSU next season.
Safety Jacoby Stevens and nose tackle Tyler Shelvin are coming back for one more season.
With Stevens, the Tigers will get a key leader back in a secondary that should still be very solid in 2020 (despite the loss of Delpit).
In Shelvin, LSU is getting one of the best defensive lineman in the nation back.
Clemson coaches told some folks that #LSU NT Tyler Shelvin was the best DL they’ve seen since Terrance Cody.
— Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) January 16, 2020
He’s returning to LSU in 2020. Huge news. https://t.co/rkgICIQzrW
It’s obviously going to be tough to replace all of the talent that’s leaving LSU, but that’s where recruiting comes into play.
The Tigers have some talent. Ed Orgeron’s first three recruiting classes as LSU’s head coach were ranked No. 7, No. 15 and No. 5. Their 2020 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 5.
And recruiting is only going to improve from here (you know, the national championship effect).
dark. Next. Losing Joe Brady isn't a death sentence
LSU might not be as good in 2020 as they were in 2019, but they’ll still be among the top teams in the nation.