The excitement in Jacobian Guillory’s voice began to build as an already enthusiastic player explained the possibilities within LSU’s defense.
Guillory, a fourth-year junior, detailed the different alignments he and his teammates can play at the front. Defensive ends aren’t limited to the far edges, he said, and defensive tackles like himself don’t get stuck in one spot on the inside.
Instead, their flexibility allows Defense Coordinator Matt House to use them in creative ways. Diversity defines House’s philosophy, and LSU created a roster that allows him to move characters.
“We can be really dangerous,” Guillory said.
It’s still spring training, a time of year when key players are unavailable and battles for position are undetermined. The Tigers brought back five starters. They must replace Star Edge rusher BJ Ojulari and settle an overhauled secondary.
But this much has become clear by mid-spring: House has a diverse staff.
“The diversity of defense is pretty exciting right now,” said coach Brian Kelly.
Start with nose tackle, a position House brought back when he implemented a three downlinemen base scheme. While LSU has to replace starter Jaquelin Roy, it improved its depth by signing Florida transfer Jalen Lee and West Virginia transfer Jordan Jefferson. She and Guillory have ranked primarily between the center and guard during their careers. But they can handle different shades of color within these spots.
Guillory, for example, learned more about playing on the guard’s inside and outside shoulder under former defensive line coach Jamar Cain. Then, as LSU was exhausted in the Citrus Bowl against Purdue, Guillory at times slipped over the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle, much further off the ball than ever before.
“You’ve never seen me out there,” Guillory said.
Farther down the line of defense, the options become even more fluid, making position designations a matter of semantics. Arizona transfer Paris Shand has a defensive finishing height of 267 pounds and has played tackle this spring. Mekhi Wingo, a preseason All-American from Walter Camp, was mostly indoors last season, but he can slide over the offensive tackles and tight ends like a defensive end.
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