LSU Tigers: True Freshmen To Watch in 2020

Every February (and now December) college football teams sign a new class of football players to join their program. It’s exciting to dream about what a prospect can become in the future but come September, some of those freshman will redshirt and wait for their opportunity to shine, while a few will be given the chance to make an immediate impact this season. In this series we will take a team by team look at the true freshman who could be given the opportunity to make a name for themselves in 2020. Today we will look at a few of the true freshmen LSU Tigers to watch in 2020.

We already featured Arik Gilbert in the freshman spotlight so we will not discuss him in this article though we obviously expect him to play in 2020. You can read about him in the freshman spotlight by clicking here.

Jaquelin Roy – DL

Neil Farrell Jr and Glen Logan are the presumptive starters at defensive end for the Tigers. They are both experienced players who were productive a year ago for LSU. Gone are Rashard Lawrence and Breiden Feheko, Lawrence was a starter last year and Feheko was a key reserve on the 2019 championship team. Justin Thomas and Travez Moore were reserves last year but played in only 7 combined games. They will be in the mix to provide depth at defensive end as will Jarell Cherry and T.K. Mclendon, but none of these players is a proven commodity yet. Roy is a big time recruit who is physically impressive and should be able to compete at defensive end immediately.

Jaquelin Roy was a standout at University Lab High School in Louisiana. Roy has the size to play on the interior of the line and the strength to hold up at the point of attack. He also has good burst off the snap and gets into the backfield quickly. He uses his hands well when taking on blockers and can be a menace for the opposing offense to deal with. Roy has good athleticism and moves well in pursuit of the play. He has the versatility to play tackle in a four man front or depending on where his body takes him any of the three defensive line positions in a three man front. Roy is an advanced player with excellent strength and athleticism, he will be in the mix to play as a true freshmen and should find himself in the rotation on the defensive line for the Tigers.

Eli Ricks – CB

Star cornerback Kristian Fulton has moved on to the NFL but stud freshmen Derek Stingley returns and will be a lockdown corner on one side of the field. Kary Vincent was listed as a safety on the depth chart but basically played the nickel position for the Tigers, he will either continue to man that position or slide outside in 2020. The reserves at cornerback last season were Coradale Flott, Jay Ward and Raydarious Jones. All three players will compete for the open cornerback spot but Ricks who arrived this winter will also be in the mix. Ricks is a talented athlete whose rare ability gives him a chance to win that spot, but at the least he will provide quality depth and be a key reserve in 2020.

Eli Ricks was a superstar in his one season at IMG Academy in Florida. Ricks has excellent height and length at the cornerback position but still has the flexibility and quick feet needed to play the position. His physical play helps him excel in press man coverage but he also has the speed and quickness to mirror receivers downfield. Ricks has the ball skills and instincts to be a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. He is a capable tackler and does not shy away from contact in run support. He is an elite talent who has the ability to be a star as a true freshman. The Tigers showed just this past season that they are willing to play a true freshman if he has the ability to perform. Ricks has the ability to be the next star corner at LSU and it could start as soon as this season. Ricks will provide depth and definitely get some playing time this season, but he has the ability to be a starter this year.

BJ Ojulari – DE/LB

K’Lavon Chaisson was an excellent pass rusher for the Tigers in 2019, he was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft and leaves the Tigers needing a new pass rusher at the outside linebacker spot. Marcel Brooks was likely to start on one side but has entered the transfer portal. Ray Thornton and Andre Anthony got playing time last year and will compete for the outside linebacker spots. Neither player had double digit tackles in 2019 and there is an opportunity for newcomers to crack the rotation if they can produce. Ojulari enrolled early and got a head start on his career, him and fellow freshman Phillip Webb will attempt to get playing time at outside linebacker for the Tigers in 2020.

BJ Ojulari was a star for Marietta High School in Georgia. Ojulari excels as an edge rusher, he has excellent burst and quickness. He is able to dip his shoulder and turn the corner to get to the quarterback. He has excellent athleticism and great closing speed, allowing him to chase down ball carriers. He does a good job of shooting gaps and getting into the backfield quickly to disrupt the offense. He will need to get bigger and stronger in college but he does a good job of disengaging blockers to pursue the ball carrier. Ojulari has a very high ceiling and he is already a productive pass rusher who should be able to get on the field quickly, especially in pass rushing situations.

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