We'll start with Rahim Alem. Alem led the team in sacks last season with eight and also in tackles for a loss with 11.5. He ranked among the best in those categories in the SEC, and he is expected to have a breakout year as a full-time starter this season. Alem was one of the few that played with a motor that would run nonstop last season, and that's exactly what we need from a defensive end. I'd say he's the best defensive lineman we have coming back. Charles Alexander has been bothered by injuries since he arrived on campus; Al Woods is a big space filler, but not much of a force inside like Dorsey was; and Levingston hasn't had an opportunity to show us what he's got. Of course, when you've got guys like Tyson Jackson, Tremaine Johnson, Kirston Pittman, and Rahim Alem to compete with as a sophomore, the cards are stacked against you.
Ciron Black is rated as the nation's top tackle by several preseason magazines, and he's the only preseason All-American the Tigers have to boast. Alongside Herman Johnson last season, the Tigers' left side of the offensive line was one of the most powerful in the country. Factor in Quinn Johnson at fullback, and you can see why Charles Scott enjoyed running to that side so much. Both Johnsons will be missed this season, but hopefully Dworaczyk and Dugas come along rather swiftly. Miles already has high praise for the offensive line, and word is that Dworaczyk is coming along rather nicely, and Charles Scott says he's never seen a big man run that fast when talking about Richard Dugas. It'll be interesting to see just how well the line performs this season. I know Black has the leadership abilities to pick guys up and boost their morale in tough situations, so Dworaczyk, playing next to one of the nation's elite tackles, couldn't be in a better position. He'll learn the ropes quickly, and I'm confident that Scott or Williams will be able to run behind these two and carve up opposing defenses week after week.
Finally, there's Brandon LaFell. The infamous "LaDrop" from 2007 has turned into one of the nations's top receivers. Who would've thought this scenario would play out. After declaring for the draft, then backing out at the last minute, LaFell enters his senior season with a lot to play for. Another SEC championship would be nice, and of course another national title would be as well, but he's also got some individual hardware that he can earn. Josh Reed was the last LSU wide receiver to win the Biletnikoff Award (2001), and LaFell would love to become the second winner in school history. This would be a tremendous honor for LaFell, as he has overcome immense adversity from both fans and the media. After his "assist" to the Auburn defender in the 2007 game, he didn't see the field much more that game. If he did, he was a non-factor, and nothing was thrown his way. After that game, however, we began to see a new LaFell. The Alabama game, he dropped only one pass, but made at least four catches I can recall that were huge at the time. He looked great down the stretch, including the BCS National Championship Game. Last season, he was the most reliable target, leading the team in receptions (63), yards (929), average (14.7), and touchdown receptions (8). Along with many other Tiger fans, I hope we can find reliable third and fourth targets this season to compliment the passing game and take some the pressure off Richard Dickson and Brandon LaFell. Hopefully Terrance Toliver and Chris Mitchell will finally evolve into sure-handed receivers and emerge as quality deep threats, and Rueben Randle and Russell Shepard may find themselves contributing a great deal as receivers.
Not much longer, Tiger fans. We're almost there.
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