LSU Football: Key player grades through Week 4 of college football
By John Fye
Zy Alexander
Position: Cornerback
Class: Junior
Defense Grade: 65.9 (372nd of 721 CB)
Coverage Grade: 65.3 (368th of 772 CB)
Run Defense Grade: 66.7 (340th of 699 CB)
Zy Alexander is LSU’s highest-graded cornerback, but the grades aren’t anything to brag about. One cannot question the Southeastern Louisiana transfer’s effort; he brings it every game. However, Alexander is often in matchups against more physically gifted receivers.
Alexander leads the LSU cornerback depth chart in snaps (215) through four games.
Denver Harris
Position: Cornerback
Class: Sophomore
Defense Grade: 65.0 (408th of 721 CB)
Coverage Grade: 63.6 (431st of 772 CB)
Run Defense Grade: 69.1 (273rd of 699 CB)
Denver Harris is expected to emerge as LSU’s best cornerback, but it probably won’t happen any sooner than the end of the current season.
Harris is the most athletically gifted defensive back on the LSU Football roster, but he’s only 6’0″ tall. As such, taller, lengthier receivers present mismatch opportunities for opposing offenses.
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Andre’ Sam
Position: Free Safety
Class: Senior
Defense Grade: 64.2 (425th of 750 S)
Coverage Grade: 60.2 (489th of 724 S)
Run Defense Grade: 75.6 (146th of 740 S)
Andre’ Sam played a heck of a game last week against Arkansas. He did get juked out of his jockstrap on a KJ Jefferson run, but the senior transfer from Marshall accumulated seven tackles, a tackle for loss, and an interception. There’s not too many bright spots in the LSU Football secondary to this point, but Sam is one of them.
Major Burns
Position: Strong Safety
Class: Junior
Defense Grade: 57.9 (604th of 750 S)
Coverage Grade: 55.9 (582ndh of 724 S)
Run Defense Grade: 56.5 (587h of 740 S)
Major Burns also played an excellent game last Saturday in the Battle for the Boot. He led the team in tackles (12) including seven solo tackles. Even more impressive is that Burns is in the upper tier of PFF’s pass rush grades at 75.5. Safeties that are effective in blitz packages is nice to have in the SEC.
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Ultimately, the LSU Football secondary PFF grades indicate we’re a long way from “DBU.” As such, the onus is on the Tigers’ pass rush to get opposing quarterbacks to throw the ball before they want to. Or better yet, get to the quarterback before he can throw the ball.