LSU Football stars in the NFL on a Hall of Fame trajectory
Earlier this month, the NFL Hall of Fame enshrined seven new members into the illustrious group of the greatest to ever play in the NFL. The weekend peaked our interest as we began to think about when LSU may see it's next football player inducted. The LSU Football program has produced six NFL Hall of Famers but, these few players are building strong cases.
The Best Cases:
Patrick Peterson
At 34 years old, Patrick Peterson is nearing the end of his NFL career and if he doesn't play another snap he'll have a Hall of Fame Resumer. Peterson made the Pro-Bowl every year from his rookie season in 2011 through 2018 putting 8 Pro Bowls on his resume. In 2011, 2013, and 2015 Peterson was named a First-Team All-Pro cornerback. As a Rookie, he also led the NFL in punt return yards with 699 including a 99 yard return and holds the NFL record with four punts returned for a touchdown in one season.
If Peterson retires, he finishes with 652 tackles, 571 solo tackles, four sacks, 122 pass deflections, 36 interceptions, two forced fumbles, 12 fumbles recovered, and six touchdowns. Peterson has a resume worthy of entering Canton with three All-Pro nods and he was also named to the Hall of Fame's All-Decade Team. A few more seasons in the NFL could add to Peterson's interception totals further cementing his case.
Tyrann Mathieu
Tyrann Mathieu is entering his eleventh season in the NFL and he's building quite the case for the Hall of Fame. Mathieu has three First-Team All-Pro selections and a Second-Team All-Pro nod as well. Along with it, he has a Super Bowl ring and three Pro Bowl nods which will certainly help his case especially if he can add a few more. Like Peterson, Mathieu was named to the 2010's All Decade team which is a great indicator for his Hall of Fame chances.
As things currently stand, Mathieu has 776 tackles, 44 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, 93 pass deflections, 33 interceptions, and four touchdowns. If Mathieu can put together one more season worthy of All-Pro recognition he'll have one of the strongest cases among any active player.
Building a solid case
Danielle Hunter
On a yearly basis, Danielle Hunter is seemingly the most underrated defender in the NFL. Through eight seasons in the NFL, Hunter has racked up four Pro-Bowls and a Second-Team All-Pro nod. As things currently stand, Hunter has 462 tackles, 87.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns. This season, Hunter could hit the 100 sack mark joining a rare list before the age of thirty. Hunter now heads to Houston where he'll join a dominant defensive front with one of the NFL's best defensive minds which bodes well for his future.