LSU Football: Why fans shouldn’t expect to see Derek Stingley Jr on offense
By Zach Ragan
LSU football’s Derek Stingley Jr is already the best cornerback in the nation.
LSU football‘s Derek Stingley Jr probably would’ve been a first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft had he been eligible.
But fortunately for the Tigers, Stingley will be in Baton Rouge for two more seasons.
Stingley’s impact as a true freshman was truly insane.
The Louisiana native had a Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 91.9 in 2019. That grade led ALL FBS cornerbacks.
PFF also described Stingley as the top returning non-quarterback in college football.
Stingley is such a gifted athlete that it’s certainly possible he could make a big impact on the offensive side of the ball for LSU.
As a senior in high school, Stingley played on both sides of the ball. As a receiver, he caught 24 passes for 678 yards (a ridiculous 28 yards per catch).
With his 4.30 speed, it’s understandable why some fans would be interested in seeing Stingley at wide receiver in Baton Rouge.
But I wouldn’t expect it to actually happen.
Why Stingley likely won’t be playing on the offensive side of the ball for the Tigers
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron was asked on Wednesday during an appearance on 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge about the idea of Stingley playing offense.
Coach O responded that Stingley’s dad preferred him to focus on defense for at least his first two years at LSU.
Went back and listened again. Ed Orgeron said he talked with Derek Stingley’s dad about playing both ways. His dad said he wanted Stingley to play only defense in his first two years, and he could play offense in his third year. #LSU
— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) May 27, 2020
Stingley’s dad seems open to the idea of his son playing offense as a junior.
But I would be shocked if that actually happens.
By the time Stingley is a junior at LSU, he might be the hottest NFL prospect in the country.
In other words, Stingley will be on the verge of making a LOT of money in the NFL.
He won’t have anything to gain by playing wide receiver. And honestly, LSU probably won’t have that much to gain either.
The Tigers will need Stingley to be at his best on every defensive snap. Putting him at wide receiver will mean he’s taking more of a beating during the course of the game.
LSU has plenty of talent at the skill positions. And they have plenty of talent on the way, too. It just doesn’t make sense for the Tigers to risk losing their best defensive player by playing him regularly on offense.
Could Stingley end up on the field for a gadget play or as a decoy?
Sure. Anything could happen.
Next. True freshman could be an offensive monster for LSU. dark
But does he end up being a key part of LSU’s offense?
I just don’t see that being the case for the best cornerback in the nation.