Don't Forget Chevis

The 2008 LSU Tigers football team will miss Glenn Dorsey. Claiming the Nagurski, Outland, Lott and Lombardi Awards along with being named to more All-American teams than G.I. Joe, Dorsey is easily the most decorated player in LSU history. His leadership is irreplaceable. His impact is unmistakable. The void left is immeasurable.

Next year's Tigers will also miss Jacob Hester. While fan favorites like Keiland Williams and Charles Scott watched from the sidelines, all Hester did was pace LSU's 11th ranked rushing offense with more than 1,100 yards during the '07 season. Les Miles has received mad props for shunning punts in fourth down situations five times against Florida. On four of those plays, Hester carried the ball along with his coach's reputation and his team's national title hopes, converting each time. Matt Flynn's pass to Demetrius Byrd in the final seconds against Auburn will be remembered as on of the greatest plays in LSU history, but it was Hester who picked up the blitzing linebacker, giving Flynn time to loft the final pass.

Ali Highsmith led the team in tackles. Matt Flynn waited his turn then gutted out an injury-plagued senior campaign to lead his team to the national title. Jonathan Zenon's interception return for a touchdown against Tennessee in the SEC Championship Game may be the catalyst that propelled LSU into the BCS National Championship Game. Craig Steltz was an All-American who had a knack for making big plays. They will all be missed as well.

None of them, however, will be missed as much as Chevis Jackson.

Seriously.

The LSU fans who are fretting about replacing Dorsey are likely the same purple-and-gold-clad worry warts who pondered how the Tigers would replace All-American Chad Lavalais after the 2003 season. Claude Wroten would do so nicely, becoming an All-American in his own right. Don't forget about All-SEC tackle Kyle Williams either. They both gave way to Dorsey. And Dorsey will give way to an uber-talented group featuring BCS Title Game defensive MVP, Ricky Jean-Francois, Marlon Favorite, Al Woods, Charles Alexander and a slew of others desperate to show what they can do.

While Hester was ultra-reliable during his four seasons in Baton Rouge (it still shocks me that Hester did not lose a fumble while Les Miles was coach), his numbers are replaceable. Even if Gary Crowton operates another running back by committee system, the aforementioned Williams and Scott along with speedsters Trindon Holliday and Richard Murphy will maintain the pace set by Hester. Remember, the O-Line will be even better next season with Carnell Stewart departing and likely giving way to talented freshman Joe Barksdale.

Headhunter Perry Riley, who impressed coaches with his motor on special teams, will replace Highsmith. A healthy Ryan Perrilloux will replace an injured Matt Flynn. Zenon should change his name to "picked-on" after QBs consistently threw his way. And Harry Coleman showed his promise when subbing for Steltz in the title game.

Which leaves Jackson. He served LSU with distinction as a three-year starter and even contributed in all twelve games as a true freshman. Jackson entered the 2007 season eighth in LSU history with 23 passes defended. He added 16 this season. That explains why Zenon became the target of so many offensive coordinator's game plans. They were all going away from Jackson. When they didn't he made them pay. His five interceptions in '07 were second only to Steltz's six. His most crucial INT coming in the national title game which set up Hester's 1 yard TD plunge giving LSU a 24-10 halftime lead.

True, LSU was faced with the same situation of replacing two NFL-caliber starting cornerbacks when Jackson and Zenon took over for Corey Webster and Travis Daniels, but they were a seasoned duo. Jackson played in each game as a true freshman while Zenon earned three starts before becoming the full-time starter in 2006. A talented crowd is waiting patiently for their turn to man the corners, but it's a green crowd as well.

Jai Eugene signed with LSU out of Destrehan but redshirted in 2006. Unfortunately, Euguene is better known for his towel-waving ability on the sidelines than for his play on the field. Most Tiger fans will remember a pass interference penalty that allowed Ohio State their "make it look good late" score in the title game. Eugene was covering (or mugging) Brian Robiskie on the play.

Chris Hawkins, Phelon Jonen, Stefon Francois and true freshman Patrick Johnson will all battle it out for playing time, but only Hawkins has earned a Letter.

The truth is, the '08 Tigers could mirror the '07 Florida Gators. After rising from the dead to win the national title with a senior quarterback and an experienced defense, Florida scored points in '07, but struggled to defend modest offenses. Even Troy hung 31 on the Gators in Gainesville. And guess who pays a visit to Baton Rouge this Sept. 6? Those same Trojans.

With running/passing phenom Ryan Perrilloux finally set to take the reins a-la Tim Tebow, with a developing group of talented receivers and thrilling skill players, LSU will score points. But when team drop back to pass against the Tigers, who will stop them?

The old saying goes, "You don't know what you've got until it's gone." Well, good ole reliable No. 21 is gone. And in 2008, LSU doesn't know what it's got.

So, thank you, Chevis. You may have been under appreciated while you were in Baton Rouge, but Tiger fans will be singing your praises in 2008. Too bad you'll be defending passes in the NFL instead of in Tiger Stadium.

The truth is, no one knows who will be doing that.