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What would LSU's top players be rated if NCAA Football 20 existed?
For those young men and women who were raised on college football the way so many of us were, there remains but one fantasy that allows us to continue living our childhood: NCAA Football ‘14.
Arguably the greatest sports video game of all time (NFL 2k5 is wildly overrated), the last installation into the legendary series left us six years ago when our interest and love of the sport was peaking.
Perhaps tainted only by Denard Robinson’s legacy smack on the front cover, the game did not miss on much. Great gameplay combined with a nearly overwhelming amount of game modes create the most immersive college football experience ever.
Sure, the politics underneath the end of “NCAA Football” might make our memories of the game particularly rosey, due in no small part to the general ineptitude of the namesake organization; but the game gave us an opportunity to see how our favorite players, like QB#2 for Texas A&M or RE#7 for South Carolina, would stack up against the rest of the nation.
This begs the question, what would LSU’s current best players’ rating be if there were an NCAA Football 20?
Joe Burrow (QB#9) - 87 OVR
Key Stats:
THP - 94
TGH - 98
SPD - 79
In 2013, EA decided to give A.J. McCarron a 97 OVR. Joe deserves at least this much. Since transferring from Ohio State two years ago, the QB1 for the Fighting Tigers has shown nothing if not his toughness. His game has improved nearly every week, slotting his accuracy somewhere in the 80s to go along with his big arm. While maybe not the most athletic or most complete quarterback, QB#9’s spirit makes him the perfect leader for this team.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB#22) - 85 OVR
Key Stats:
SPD - 89
TRK - 93
AGI - 92
His name sounds like some sort of luxury car, but his running style is more similar to a dune buggy than a McLaren.
Every now and then when he gets the ball, you’d swear Derrius Guice was back on the field. Edwards-Helaire’s low center of gravity makes him a hassle to bring down, and his strength and vision allow him to hit holes in the line at full speed.
John Emery, Jr. (RB#4) - 79 OVR
Key Stats:
SPD - 90
TRK - 85
ELU - 88
Freshman running backs are typically rated below what their actual skills may suggest, probably in order to account for any bust potential in a highly touted recruit. The 6’0”, 203 lb. halfback from Destrehan High School will not have to worry about that. Emery has the power, wiggle and speed to get through tough holes and make tacklers miss or just run them over.
Justin Jefferson (WR#2) - 86 OVR
Key Stats:
SPD - 95
CTH - 90
JKM - 89
Would you believe that both Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry were 89 overalls in NCAA 14? And Kadron Boone was an 84?
Justin Jefferson is one of a group of LSU receivers who can make men miss in the open field and get open against even the stickiest corners. His namesake also runs deep in the annals of Tiger Stadium, with his brothers both being successful LSU Football Tigers, one more famous than the other.
Ja’Marr Chase (WR #1) & Terrace Marshall Jr (WR #6) - 84 OVR
Key Stats: (Chase & Marshall Jr.)
CTH - 93 & 92
CIT - 87 & 90
AGI - 91 & 88
These receivers are players you should be targeting in your franchise mode draft.
With their incredible hands and route running, you would think you were going back in time to the days of Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.
Not only are they skilled, but their big frames allow them to out-muscle smaller corners off the line or down the field on their way to a reception.
Good luck trying to play three flies in with these two on the playground.
Lloyd Cushenberry III (C#79) - 88 OVR
Key Stats:
STR - 94
AWR - 93
RBK - 92
Football teams love to say that the team is built around the offensive line. For most of LSU history, offensive lines do almost directly predict overall success. This year, the Tigers have a good one. Cushenberry comes in as one of LSU’s most experienced offensive linemen. Starting at center, he will be responsible for a plethora of calls at the line as well as handling snaps with Joe Burrow. Cushenberry carries a significant load of the offense on his shoulders, more than any other lineman in the Tiger’s revamped offense. Luckily for Joe Burrow and the Tigers, Cushenberry has enough strength and smarts for the whole line.
Saahdiq Charles (LT #77) - 85 OVR
Adrian Magee (LG #73) - 80 OVR
Damien Lewis (RG #68) - 86 OVR
Austin Deculus (RT #76) - 79 OVR
Key Stats:
STR - 88, 87, 90, 86
AWR - 88, 84, 93, 81
RBK - 91, 87, 94, 85
The monsters in the trenches, the Tigers offensive line are bruisers and maulers. Paving the way for 2 consecutive 1000 yard rushers, this crew excels in run blocking, along with center Lloyd Cushenberry III of course.
A team’s quarterback, defensive line, and offensive line are often regarded as the most important positions in football. Luckily for the Tigers, we have a fortified unit leading us into battle every game.
Breiden Fehoko (DT#91) & Rashard Lawrence (LE#90) - 87 OVR
Key Stats (Fehoko & Lawrence):
STR - 93 & 92
BSH - 90 & 94
SPD - 61 & 65
The big men in the middle of the defense, neither Fehoko nor Lawrence technically play nosetackle. Though they probably could, Dave Aranda prefers to deploy his two swiss army knives everywhere along the defensive line. Both are less suited for the edge than inside the tackles but are versatile enough with more than enough muscle to win anywhere along the line of scrimmage.
K’Lavon Chaisson (OLB#18) - 95 OVR
Key Stats:
SPD - 89
STR - 92
POW - 99
The defensive line for LSU in NCAA 14 bore names like Anthony “The Freak” Johnson, Ego Ferguson, and Jermauria Rasco. All 86 OVR or higher.
What a time…
Closer to a Barkevious Mingo or Dion Jordan, Chaisson has speed off the edge and more power than most players his size, enabling him to bring down quarterbacks by the handful.
Oh, he can hit too.
Michael Divinity, Jr. (OLB#45) - 90 OVR
Key Stats:
SPD - 87
TAK - 93
PUR - 89
He’s been in the wings for years now, waiting for his opportunity to strike and show his talent. Coming in with Devin White, Divinity was overshadowed off the bat. Originally used as an edge rusher, Divinity is one of the most versatile linebackers in the country, able to rush the passer, play in space and stop the run. Similar to the ‘backers who played in Death Valley before him, Divinity has sideline to sideline speed and an infectious energy that can hype up the defense and frighten opponents.
Jacob Phillips (MLB #6) - 85 OVR
Key Stats:
TAK - 94
PRC - 90
PUR - 93
Learning from Devin White as so many have, Phillips started 11 of 12 games last season, finishing with 87 tackles last season.
A pure physical and technical athlete, Phillips is poised for a large role in LSU’s defense.
Always around the ball, you would think he had a sixth sense on the opposing offense’s play calling. Phillips is also built like an artificially-created player. With his 6’4” height, 233 pound weight, he has the body of the perfect linebacker.
Kristian Fulton (CB#1) - 92 OVR
Key Stats:
SPD - 93
MCV - 94
PRC - 92
It took him a while to get onto the field; but when he did, he showed the SEC why he was so highly touted out of New Orleans. Playing behind Greedy Williams, Kevin Tolliver and Tre’Davious White will teach a corner just about all he needs to know. Fulton backs up his smarts with an incredible physical ability to run with and adjust to receivers. Starting slow does not always guarantee a slow career. Just ask Tre White and Deion Jones, both of whom were ranked 78 in 2013; I think they turned out just fine.
Derek Stingley, Jr. (CB#24) - 82 OVR
Key Stats:
SPD - 94
ZCV - 85
RET - 92
Stingley comes into LSU with higher expectations as a cornerback than perhaps anyone since Kevin Tolliver. He should be able to back it up if spring and fall camp were any indications. Tiger fans should be prepared to see Stingley dominate for the next three years, then continue to do so at the next level.
Grant Delpit (FS#7) - 97 OVR
Key Stats:
SPD - 93
POW - 95
ZCV - 97
He wears number 7 for a reason. Simply the best safety in the nation, Delpit continues in the tradition of highly rated DBs on LSU. His game has no weak spots; he is fast, hits hard, sticks to his man and shuts down his zone. Delpit is reminiscent of a young Taylor Mays. You would be hard pressed to find a better DB.
JaCoby Stevens (SS #3) - 83 OVR
Key Stats:
ZCV - 82
TAK - 90
PRC - 84
The versatile safety finished his sophomore season starting the final 4 games. Racking up 35 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks during that season.
His versatile nature allowed him to play somewhat of a hybrid linebacker, able to control the zone around tight ends and big bodied receivers.
Resembling former Crimson Tide and current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker/safety Mark Barron, Stevens looks to make his mark for the Tigers this coming season.
