The One Player I Want to Add to LSU Football This Season

It seems Burfict is choosing Matt Barkley as his next victim
Photo: Norm Hall/ Getty Images

As much I as love Jarrett Lee's play as the starting quarterback, I would rather have Andrew Luck.


But of course that's the case. Luck, according to ESPN NFL Analyst Trent Dilfer, is the best pro quarterback prospect he has ever seen.


I'm not going down that route. It's too easy. 


I'm going to pick a player at a position of need for LSU. And as impressive as LSU as been, it comes to no surprise there is only one position where the Tigers have struggled.


The player I want to choose is Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict.


First, let's asses the LSU linebacking core. Senior Ryan Baker has been consistent for the Tigers this season. But everybody else hasn't been.


Because LSU has been playing spread offenses for a majority of this season, they have been able to play mainly Nickel and Mustang packages that feature five or six defensive backs. This has masked LSU's lack of depth at linebacker.


Alongside Baker, Kevin Minter, Lamin Barrow, Luke Muncie, Tahj Jones, Stefoin Francois and Karnell Hatcher have all seen snaps. None of these players have really shined for LSU yet even when LSU plays their base 4-3 formation that features three linebackers.


This is due to defensive backs Brandon Taylor, Eric Reid and, arguably the nations best defensive player, Tyrann Mathieu hogging tackles and big plays because of their speed. Plus it's early in the season to judge who can play alongside Baker.


But Burfict is perfect for LSU's defense.


The talent is there. Burfict, who becomes draft eligible this season, could be the highest linebacker taken in next year's NFL Draft. He is a sideline to sideline player whose instincts and athleticism is never in question. 


Watch as Burfict makes this spectacular fourth down stop versus Georgia as a freshman...



I can go on and on about Burfict's skills as a linebacker. I think he is "Ray Lewis" good. But another reason I love Burfict is because he loves to talk trash, which fits perfectly into the LSU defensive mind set this season. 


Burfict does commit a multitude of dumb penalties. But Les Miles can tame the craziest of athletic animals and Burfict would be no different. 


The only player who plays with a mean streak and talks more trash than Burfict on the field is Mathieu. Imagine having both of them whispering into the opponents ears between every play. 


I probably should have put a warning to put kids into bed before reading that last sentence. It would be that scary.  


LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis will never have Burfict on his roster. But I can dream he could or just switch up the rosters on popular video game NCAA Football '12. 


Because if Burfict was on LSU, offenses playing the Tigers defense would be like playing against a superstar video game team. 


That's only if the Bayou Bengals defense isn't video game material already.