Today, LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker visited with the media to give an update on fall camp and how the defense is progressing through a couple of weeks.
Before diving into the Tigers defense, Baker was asked about why he decided to come back for another year as the defensive coordinator after being pursued head coaching offers. The opportunity to team up with Lane Kiffin was something he certainly did not want to pass up.
“Honestly, you know, it all came down to making those big-time decisions. I had a couple of great opportunities. You know, it starts with my family. I think being able to have that conversation with them, my kids are getting older now, and they’re a part of that conversation as well. But we’re extremely happy here in Baton Rouge. And then the second part, you know, talking to Coach Kiffin, I truly believe with what he does on offense and what we do on defense, you know, the ultimate goal is to bring a national championship to LSU. And I kind of want to see that through. So those are probably the two biggest reasons.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
Baker highlighted the relationship and how Kiffin’s goals align right with his.
“Yeah, I think Coach Kiffin and I, you know, like any relationship, you try to feel each other out. And it’s been outstanding. You know, I think he’s been really, really good to me. There’s times as a head coach he wants to see certain things, but a lot of times he suggests, and it’s a true suggestion, and a lot of times they’re really good ideas. He’s a really smart football coach, regardless of what side of the ball it is. But I’ve really enjoyed my time with Coach Kiffin, and he’s been really, really good to me. And, you know, I really appreciate him for that.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
Up front, the Tigers’ defensive line has to replace two starters from last season. Despite having a veteran like Gabriel Reliford go down with a torn ACL in the spring, Coach Baker likes with what he has seen from some other veterans, transfers, and even some incoming freshmen.
“I think I’ve seen a lot of growth out of some guys. When you look at Jordan Ross, when you look at P-Will (Princewill Umanmielen), they just got here in the spring, how much they’ve already grown. Dylan Carpenter is a guy that, I mean, he’s absolutely been outstanding. When you talk about where he came in as a freshman to where he is now, you know, you don’t see that much anymore, because a lot of times they’ll leave before that. But, man, I can’t be more complimentary to him, and Lamar Brown. And we, you know, Kolaj Cobbins is another guy. I feel good about our depth. We have some really good explosion off the edge as well. And they’re all complimentary of each other. You know, some guys have really good strengths in one area compared to another. So we’re going to be able to play around with those weapons.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
After originally working with the linebackers, redshirt freshman Jaiden Braker is now working with the EDGE group. Coach Baker discussed with what he has seen from Braker and also what played in the decision to move him playing off the edge.
“One of the biggest things we saw is he’s super explosive. You know, he was a 10.6 guy out of high school. But to be honest with you, you know, whenever we lost Gabe in the spring, I wouldn’t say it was a dire necessity to move him, but he’s got 34 and a half inch arms. He has the skill set when you look at these edge rushes nowadays that even in the NFL, speed, length, quickness. And we put him in towards the end of the spring in some third down packages. And he’s just got a really good feel for it. And he’s one of those guys, you talk about weapons that can do different things. He brings a unique skill set. And he’s hard to handle off the edge because of his speed.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
A big development over fall practice has been the emergence of freshmen defensive linemen Deuce Geralds, Richard Anderson, and Lamar Brown. This highly touted freshman class has certainly lived up to the hype thus far in fall camp.
“Yeah, they’re as good as I’ve been around, especially when you talk about a trio of freshmen. I mean, we’ve thrown more install at this group than I ever have in my career. And those guys are repping with the ones in the two, so they’re getting the full install. And there’s been growing pains. You know, we’re going to have to fight through the freshman wall at some point. I think all three of them are doing a good job fighting it right now. But I am proud of where they’re at now and where they’ve come from. They work at it. They all love football. They got really, really bright futures. But you’ll see all three of those guys on the field.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
A familiar face is helping those players develop on the defensive line and that is former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron. Having him back with the program has been a huge boost for the Tigers’ defense.
He’s really loud still. No, he’s done a good job. You know, he kind of looks at it from a big picture point of view, obviously. You know, his bread and butter is the defensive line. And just, you know, giving a different set of eyes. But, you know, I think all those guys work really well together. When you look at Kevin Peoples and Sterling Lucas and Lou Spanos and De’Andre Williams, we have a really, really good group of defensive line coaches. And he’s done a good job, you know, kind of feeling his way in there.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
The linebacking corps are one of the team’s most proven strengths as the Tigers not only return proven starters like Whit Weeks and Davhon Keys, but they also add Ole Miss transfer TJ Dottery, who is the SEC’s leading tackler.
“I think he brings a lot of leadership. Obviously, having Whit in there, he’s complemented that really well. An unbelievable work ethic. And really, it’s a great example to show the young guys. He came in, really studied his tail off and is able to pick up the playbook very, very quickly. And he’s just another voice, you know. I always say players, man, they get sick and tired of hearing the coach all the time. But when it comes from the players, again, Whit and him especially, he brings a little bit in their ears a little bit louder. So he’s not afraid to say something when it needs to be said. And not necessarily in a negative way. A lot of times, he’s trying to build the guys up. So I’m as appreciative of his leadership, especially on the defense, but especially in the linebacker room as much as I am about his play.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
Along with Ole Miss transfers in Umanmielen and Dottery, Boise State transfer Ty Benefield is expected to play a huge role in LSU’s secondary. At 6’3, 208 pounds, Benefield has the makings of being the next great safety. The Tigers had plenty of success in acquiring AJ Haulcy last year and the staff believes that Benefield can make that same type of impact.
“I think whenever the portal hits, you kind of have an idea. The personnel staff department does a really good job of bringing you a list of names. And you’re going through them all, and you kind of just look for the best available player that fits your scheme. And in our opinion, there wasn’t a better one out there. And that’s where it starts. Now you start diving into them. You call their former coaches. You know, you start picking their brain, seeing if they want to come here for the right reasons. And Ty Benefield checked all the boxes. He’s been a blessing so far, for sure.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
Everybody knows that Benefield and Tamarcus Cooley will be the starting safeties once Clemson arrives, but what was a question mark heading into fall camp was the depth at safety. Coach Baker believes that the weakness is now turning into a strength.
“Yeah, I’ll be honest. Going into fall camp, it was a concern. And not to say we don’t have room to grow there, but again, a lot of credit to Jake Olsen and Noah Joseph and the players in that room. Jhase Thomas has been one of the biggest surprises to me in camp. He’s played outstanding. Tamarcus Cooley has picked up where he left off. Same with Ty Benefield. And you look at the growth that Faheem Delane’s had. Dashawn Spears, CJ Jimcoily. I mean, I feel really, really good about a lot of those guys, if not all of those guys I just mentioned. And I probably wouldn’t have said that two weeks ago or whenever we started camp. It feels like two weeks. It might have been a week ago. Who knows at this point? But I think that group is playing. And they’re all young. That was one of my biggest concerns. When you talk about the depth pieces, with Jhase and CJ I mean, Dashawn Spears really hasn’t played. Faheem Delane is a redshirt for whatever, second year guy now. So to see those guys kind of step up and handle game-like situations, they’ve been really good. So I’m happy with where they’re at right now.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
On social media yesterday, Tamarcus Cooley posted that this has been the toughest camp he has been a part of, but because of that, Coach Baker believes it will help elevate this defensive even more.
“I think the way they work, y’all go out to practice. There’s nobody standing around. We two-spot everything. We practice with tempo. There’s a sense of urgency between drills. So especially with as fast as our offense goes, you know, on defense it weighs on you. So it’s been really good from our mental toughness. I think we’ve done a much better job handling that than we did in the spring defensively. But, I mean, it is. It’s been in a good way. I mean, it’s a lot of football. It’s been a lot of fun, but I could see where he’s coming from.”
LSU Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker
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