How Odell Beckham Jr helped LSU’s defense excel in 2013 against Texas A&M

Former LSU football wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr had a defensive impact for the Tigers in 2013.

Odell Beckham Jr’s five receptions for 50 yards helped LSU football beat Texas A&M in 2013, but that wasn’t his biggest impact on the matchup.

OBJ’s biggest impact came on defense……despite not playing a down on the defensive side of the ball.

That’s because, during the week of practice leading up to the game, Beckham worked as the scout team quarterback, mimicking Johnny Manziel.

OBJ didn’t take it easy on his teammates, either. The star wide receiver reportedly “tore up the defense” while playing on the scout team.

“I think that simulated a little faster version of Johnny to get our defense ready for him,” said wide receiver Jarvis Landry in 2013 (via Yahoo Sports).

The prep work obviously worked for the Tigers’ defense. LSU beat Texas A&M 34-10 while holding Manziel to 224 passing yards and only 54 rushing yards (it broke Manziel’s nine-game streak of having at least 300 total yards).

Odell Beckham was still impressed by Johnny Manziel

Beckham’s scout team work may have helped keep Manziel in check, but that doesn’t mean the Baton Rouge native wasn’t impressed by Johnny Football.

“Watching film on him and watching him roll out left and roll out right then throw back across his body making these incredible plays, it just shows how deserving of a Heisman and potential back-to-back Heisman he’s up for,” said OBJ to reporters.

Manziel, of course, ended up not winning the Heisman Trophy in 2013. That honor went to Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston.

Maybe OBJ’s excellent work on the scout team preparing LSU’s defense for Manziel cost the Texas A&M signal-caller his second consecutive Heisman Trophy.

We know it certainly didn’t help Manziel’s case.