LSUDad Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Quarters position allows LSU to highlight versatile safeties JaCoby Stevens and Grant Delpit BY WILSON ALEXANDER | STAFF WRITER JUN 24, 2019 - 8:30 PM Buy Now LSU safety JaCoby Stevens (3) is picked up by LSU safety Grant Delpit (9) after Stevens recovered a fumbled and ran it back for 64 yards before tripping up in the second half of LSU's 31-0 shutout win over Southeastern, Saturday, September 8, 2018, at LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Advocate staff photo by HILARY Wilson Alexander Ed Orgeron leaned back in his chair and smiled. Making the final stop of the LSU coaches caravan Monday afternoon, Orgeron chuckled as he discussed how much defensive coordinator Dave Aranda has enjoyed planning LSU’s defense with so many versatile players at his disposal. “He loves it,” Orgeron said. “Look at all the speed we got. I'm telling you we have more speed in our defense then we've had since we've been here. Dave's going to use it.” With one month left before the beginning of preseason practice, LSU’s coaches believe they have dynamic players across the second level of the defense. Aranda can move the Tigers around the field, particularly safeties Grant Delpit, JaCoby Stevens and Marcel Brooks. Delpit established himself as one of the premier defensive backs in college football; Stevens played well at the end of last season; and Brooks, a freshman, has impressed the coaching staff. Aranda mentioned all three players when he broke down the “quarters” position, one of the most fluid and versatile within LSU’s defense. Aranda used it for the first time last season. Delpit started the year there, John Battle mixed in, and by the final game, Stevens had emerged in the role. Stevens played there during spring practice. “When they stuck me in there and I began to make plays and make a name for myself, it wasn't hard for them to find a place for Grant to play because he can play the quarter, he can blitz, he can cover and he can play the middle of the field,” Stevens said. “To have both of us on the field, I don't think that was a hard decision.” Can't see video below? Click here. Play Video Aranda called the quarters position a “glorified linebacker.” It takes a safety, one who's physical enough to play near the line of scrimmage, and moves him around the field. The quarters position can play man defense on tight ends or blitz off the edge. “You have to be a smart player to play it,” Stevens said, “or you expose the defense a lot.” Stevens, who played offense early in his career, started the last four games of the 2018 season after an injury sidelined Battle. Stevens has worked on his pass rush, and Aranda said he understands the intricacies of the defense. “Having JaCoby on the field is an absolute plus for us,” Aranda said. “We'll continue to build to highlight him and put him in spots where he can really excel.” LSU will use Delpit, a unanimous All-American safety who led the Southeastern Conference in interceptions, all over the field. His instincts have allowed him to attack run plays, and he moved further back in the defense when Stevens took over the quarters position. Delpit can rush the passer or drop into coverage in obvious passing situations, but Aranda said LSU wants to “be selective” when it uses Delpit in the deep. The junior does so many things well, Aranda has the ability to use him in different ways, depending on the situation. “When we're expecting pass, there's a lot of merit to Grant rushing, but if he isn't rushing, there's a lot of merit to having him in the middle of the field,” Aranda said. “His ability to do both and move around I think will feature him. I think it will show his value.” As LSU’s coaches take a brief vacation before Southeastern Conference media days and the beginning of preseason practice, they continue to scheme for ways to use their best players at the same time. The quarters position has helped. “We're continuing to add to that (quarters) position,” Aranda said. “It tests the creativity to find plays where we can play with a lot of those guys at the same time.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSUDad Posted July 3, 2019 Author Share Posted July 3, 2019 Delpit Named Sporting News Preseason All-America July 03, 2019, 09:22 AM (CT)Updated: July 03, 2019, 10:17 AM (CT) Michael Bonnette (@LSUBonnette) Assoc. Athletic Director/Communications BATON ROUGE – Grant Delpit, one of only nine unanimous All-America selections in LSU history, has been tabbed as a preseason All-America by Sporting News, the publication announced on Wednesday. Delpit, who was a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy last year, is coming off one of the most impressive seasons for a LSU defender in school history. The first team All-Southeastern Conference selection, racked up 74 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and led the league in interceptions with five in helping the Tigers to a No. 6 final ranking and a 10-3 overall record. Of Delpit, the Sporting News said, “he is more than just numbers. He's a team leader and great ambassador for the college game. He will compete for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award this season.” 2019 Sporting News Preseason All-America Teams First-Team Offense QB: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson RB: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson RB: Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin WR: Jerry Jeudy, Alabama WR: Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State TE: Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt OT: Andrew Thomas, Georgia OG: Shane Lemieux, Oregon Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin OG: Tommy Kraemer, Notre Dame OT: Walker Little, Stanford ATH: Rondale Moore, Purdue Defense DL: A.J. Epenesa, Iowa DL: Derrick Brown, Auburn DL: Kenny Willekes, Michigan State DL: Chase Young, Ohio State LB: Dylan Moses, Alabama LB: Paddy Fisher, Northwestern LB: Isaiah Simmons, Clemson CB: CJ Henderson, Florida CB: Bryce Hall, Virginia CB: Andre Cisco, Syracuse S: Grant Delpit, LSU Specialists PK: Andre Szmyt, Syracuse P: Braden Mann, Texas A&M RS: Isaiah Wright, Temple Second-team Offense QB: Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama RB: D'Andre Swift, Georgia RB: J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State WR: CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma WR: Justyn Ross, Clemson TE: Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri OT: Mekhi Becton, Louisville OT: Alex Leatherwood, Alabama Nick Harris, Washington OG: Logan Stenberg, Kentucky OG: Ben Bredeson, Michigan ATH: Tra Minter, South Alabama Defense DL: Raekwon Davis, Alabama DL: Nick Coe, Auburn DL: Xavier Thomas, Clemson DL: Curtis Weaver, Boise State LB: Shaquille Quarterman, Miami LB: Joe Bachie, Michigan State LB: Anfernee Jennings, Alabama CB: Lavert Hill, Michigan CB: Jaylon Johnson, Utah S: Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame S: Xavier McKinney, Alabama Specialists PK: Cooper Rothe, Wyoming P: Ryan Stonehouse, Colorado State RS: Savon Scarver, Utah State Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.