After having an Award filled week, can Bradyn Swinson emerge for LSU's Defense
This past weekend, Bradyn Swinson was the most impactful player for LSU on either side of the football and may have posted the best single game performance of any player this season. Last season, Swinson totaled two sacks for the entire season albeit in a limited role. His career high for a single season in sacks was three in 2021 back at Oregon.
Against the Gamecocks, Swinson matched his career high in one game bringing LaNorris Sellers and Robbie Ashford down a total of three times. The performance earned Swinson some incredible honors including the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, the SEC Defensive Player of the Week, and the Lott Trophy Player of the Week Award.
Bradyn Swinson locks up the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week 🔒@OfficialSwintt logged 5 TOT (4 SOLO), 3 sacks, and 1 FF to help @LSUfootball defeat South Carolina 36-33 in Week 3 pic.twitter.com/2Ns9omYi5W
— Lott IMPACT Trophy (@TheLottTrophy) September 18, 2024
In 2023, LSU hardly had a presence at Edge Rusher as most of LSU's pressure came from its three NFL caliber defensive tackles and from blitzing Harold Perkins. After Brian Kelly brought in Kevin Peoples to coach the edge rushers, it was expected that the edge rushers would rake the next step.
In three games, LSU has now gotten a solid multi-sack game out of Bradyn Swinson against South Carolina and a two-sack game out of Sai'vion Jones against the USC Trojans.
The two have delivered their breakout performances but, we'll now need to see them turn into consistent players for this defense to get better. When Jones and Swinson are playing their best, LSU's pass defense becomes a solid unit as the younger developing cornerbacks don't have to stick with their man all too long. When LSU struggles to get after a passer or struggles to set a solid edge we see massive plays like we did from Raheim Sanders and LaNorris Sellers on big runs.
Have another solid weekend this weekend
The best way to prove these weren't fluke performances is to go out and repeat it if you're Jones or Swinson. While UCLA has only allowed three sacks in two games, putting pressure on Ethan Garbers has made some bad decisions with just one touchdown to three interceptions. This weekend if LSU is going to play its most complete game of the season, it starts with the defense putting a ton of pressure on Ethan Garbers.
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