Deangelo Peterson thrives at tight end

Entering the 2011 season, many Tiger fans questioned the ability of LSU's passing game, which finished 107th in the nation last year.

LSU graduated its leading receiver and lost its third-leading receiver and starting quarterback to off-field issues, leaving doubts lingering offensively.

Toss in the uncertainty of junior wide receiver Rueben Randle and his struggle with tendinitis, and LSU faced a real problem.

While many thought new additions like freshmen wide receivers Odell Beckham, Jr., and Jarvis Landry would receive the bulk of the looks, it was a familiar, yet somewhat forgotten face that found himself filling the void.

"Being an older guy, I see the young guys making plays, and I want to make plays too," said senior tight end Deangelo Peterson. "I know I can run routes better than receivers. I'm focused and I'm ready to show up for my senior year."

Peterson was the Tigers' leading receiver after the blockbuster season-opener against then-No. 3 Oregon, catching four of senior quarterback Jarrett Lee's 10 completed passes for 62 yards.

The tight end capped his hot start by hauling in a touchdown pass in the first quarter of Saturday's clash with Northwestern State.

"He did a great job for us," Lee said. "Sometimes we have other guys covered who have made plays for us in the past. You've got to find other guys, and [Peterson] is just the guy right now that's getting open for us, and he's doing a great job."

To Peterson, it's no surprise that he's thriving in the offense.

The 6-foot-4-inch senior spent most of his high school days at Desire Street Academy lined up as a receiver before making the switch to tight end at LSU.

Despite his past, Peterson has adjusted well to the move, saying he actually prefers playing tight end now.

"That's where I want to be better," said Peterson, who now has 71 receiving yards on the year. "By me moving to tight end, it gave me the opportunity to create mismatches. I feel like no linebacker or no safety can cover me, and mainly, if it's one-on-one, I don't think they can."

His most memorable contribution last season came in the fourth quarter against Alabama, when Peterson's number was called on a 4th and one reverse that he brought to the 3-yard line, setting up the go-ahead touchdown.

Peterson finished fourth on the team with 16 receptions and 198 yards last year despite missing the first three games with an ankle injury.

Watching from the sidelines, Peterson said he used his down time as motivation for his senior campaign.

"I think the motivation and what helped me was me having a year under my belt last year," Peterson said. "I was hurt the first three games, and having that experience only helped. Now I've just got to stay focused at practice and know what I've got to do and just come out and ball every game."

Peterson was recruited as a four-star athlete who chose LSU over a slew of offers including Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia.

He said he looked up to former Tiger standouts Demetrius Byrd and Brandon LaFell as role models entering LSU.

"I liked looking at guys before I got here, and I talked to a couple of them before I got here," Peterson said. "I still follow them now. I know what they did wrong and know what they did right. I tried to pick up the positive things and go forward."

If you ask his coach, Peterson has done just that. LSU coach Les Miles commended Peterson on his transformation as a tight end and called 2011 "his time."

"[Peterson] is bigger, stronger and faster than he has been," Miles said. "His team is counting on him more as a blocker and as a receiver, and he really is making the best of it. He goes to work and works hard every day. He's a great teammate."

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Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com