Evaluating every LSU defensive back through seven games

LSU’s secondary was one of its biggest question marks entering the year.

Brian Kelly hit the transfer portal hard, adding Mekhi Garner, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Sevyn Banks, Colby Richardson, Joe Foucha and Greg Brooks Jr.

LSU also had some significant returners in Jay Ward, Major Burns and Sage Ryan.

Garner, Bernard-Converse, Richardson, Brooks and Ward have played the majority of the snaps. Prior to his injury, Burns played as much as anyone, and Foucha missed the first four games, but his working his way into a sizeable role.

For the most part, the results have exceeded expectations, but there have been issues when it comes to giving up explosive plays. Here’s how each has performed to this point, per the advanced statistics from Pro Football Focus.

Mekhi Garner

(AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

After transferring from Louisiana, Garner has been LSU’s best defensive back. According to PFF, only three corners in the SEC have had a better coverage grade than Garner. He’s coming off one of his best games in Florida.

Garner has only allowed 11 catches on the year, breaking up three passes. He’s exceled in man coverage, allowing just two catches. Receivers are only catching 44% of the balls thrown his way.

It’s hard to find anything to criticize about Garner’s performance through seven games.

Jarrick Bernard-Converse

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Coming from Oklahoma State, Bernard-Converse was one of LSU’s most heralded transfers. The veteran DB was all-conference with the Cowboys in 2021.

He’s proven to be a versatile piece for LSU in 2022, seeing time at cornerback and safety. 126 of his 289 snaps have come at corner, and that’s where he’s been his best.

He’s been in man coverage 42 snaps and has only been targeted three times, allowing just one catch. He’s been a good tackler too, missing just one tackle on the year.

Despite the need at safety, LSU will get the most out of Bernard-Converse by letting him play man coverage on the outside. Although, against an Ole Miss team with an explosive run game, his tackling ability at safety could be of use.

Jay Ward

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Ward has had some big moments this year. Against Auburn, he returned a fumble for a touchdown to put LSU on the board. It would prove to be the moment that kickstarted LSU’s comeback.

In LSU’s week three win over Mississippi State, Jay Ward had a career day and was a critical part in LSU’s grounding of the air raid offense.

In coverage in the slot, he’s allowing just 0.57 yards/snap, which is one of the best numbers in the conference. He’s contributed rushing the passer, too, with six pressures on the year.

It hasn’t all been great, though. Ward has had some issues tackling and recorded some bad unnecessary roughness penalties in the last couple of weeks. He’s been called for four penalties on the year.

Ward has played 300 snaps in six games and is one of the veterans in the group. Despite it being a mixed bag, there’s been more good than bad and his versatility is a major plus for the Tigers.

Greg Brooks Jr.

[Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

No defensive back on LSU has played more snaps than Brooks. The transfer from Arkansas was expected to be a heavy contributor and he has been.

Brooks spends a lot of time in the box and has four pressures and two sacks on the year. He’s been up and down in slot coverage but hasn’t really allowed any big plays.

Defending the run, he’s made some big plays but missed some tackles, as well. Brooks is a veteran player and I’d expect him to continue to make big plays as we enter the backend of the schedule, but a tad more consistency would make him one of LSU’s best defenders.

Colby Richardson

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The emergence of Richardson has been a surprised. The McNeese transfer didn’t generate the same buzz as Garner or Bernard-Converse, but he’s been a critical piece of the LSU secondary.

Richardson ranks fifth among SEC corners in snaps/reception. Opposing teams aren’t completing many passes against him. However, when teams have found success, it’s often been down the field.

He’s allowing 16.4 yards per catches and has one of the deepest average target depths in the conference. All things considered, Richardson has been a good player and likely has some room to get better too.

Major Burns

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Burns only played in three games before an injury caused him to miss some time, but there’s a chance LSU has him back after the bye week. Burns is a do-it-all safety. He can line up anywhere on the back end and make his presence felt in the box as well.

Coaches have praised his ability as a communicator and when he’s on the field, he’s one of the leaders of that defense. Getting Burns back will allow LSU some more flexibility at other spots.

He’s the type of player LSU really wishes they could have out there against Ole Miss.

Sage Ryan

(AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

The five-star is one of the most talented players on LSU’s roster, but is stuck behind some veterans. Ryan sees most of his time in the slot or in the box and Ward and Brooks have a pretty good handle on that spot right now.

Ryan is a good tackler but has struggled in pass coverage. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] has said LSU needs to get better at tackling, so maybe we’ll see more of Ryan against Ole Miss.

But you could also see a scenario where LSU would want to let the older guys handle a Lane Kiffin offense that requires a lot of discipline from nickel backs and safeties.

I’d bet Ryan has a good career ahead of him and is a solid piece, but next year will be his breakout year.

Joe Foucha

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Like Brooks, Foucha arrived at LSU from Arkansas with plenty of experience.

Foucha was suspended the first four games of the season and has only appeared in three games, seeing 88 snaps over that span. He’s struggled a little but hasn’t had a full chance to settle in.

It’ll be interesting to see what LSU gets out of Foucha down the stretch.

Story originally appeared on LSU Tigers Wire