Brian Kelly shares secret behind Blake Baker's transformation of LSU Tigers defense ahead of Texas A&M game
The LSU defense has been completely transformed this season. When Brian Kelly completely blew up his defensive coaching staff this offseason and brought Blake Baker in nobody knew exactly how that would go.LSU ranked outside the Top 100 in yards per play allowed, total yards, and most key rate stats on defense in 2023. But heading […]
The LSU defense has been completely transformed this season. When Brian Kelly completely blew up his defensive coaching staff this offseason and brought Blake Baker in nobody knew exactly how that would go.
LSU ranked outside the Top 100 in yards per play allowed, total yards, and most key rate stats on defense in 2023. But heading into Week 9 against Texas A&M? LSU is now a top half defense in all of college football in terms of yards allowed, the pass rush ranks seventh nationally in sacks per game, and the linebacker room has been completely changed for the better despite Harold Perkins (the team's best player) going down with injury!
Brian Kelly was asked about Blake Baker's unique defensive schemes and pass rush tactics displayed over the past few weeks and coach had this to say:
"The little nuances of pressures in those situations are what make it difficult for protection schemes. Those little tweaks–if you will–to our pressures are things that Blake [Baker] has carried with him and have been effective. We wanted something that gave us the opportunity to attack their protections, but also have a runner in a position that could really spy the quarterback. And so that was something that [Blake Baker] had used in certain situations before and felt like this was the week against that particular quarterback would be effective."
Baker has been adding layers to his defense all season long, and it's finally begun being the game-changing force it needs to be for LSU. One great example that fits Brian Kelly's description in his post above perfectly is the tip and interception play by linebacker Whit Weeks against Arkansas last week.
LSU brought a six-man pressure with a linebacker spy over the middle (who played to run-fit initially off the play action), and the pressure got there too quickly for Arkansas to do anything. Weeks leaped up, batted the ball up in the air and finished with an interception. LSU immediately scored a touchdown on the next play.
The ascension of Whit Weeks and the entire linebacker room this year under Blake Baker's coaching has been remarkable. Coach Kelly was asked about the linebacker room specifically, and what's made that entire group step up this year:
"As it relates to Blake [Baker] and the linebacker room, you know, there's clearly a connection there through belief, trust, and the ability to build relationships with the players that fosters [player development]. Relationships require time, and Blake puts in the time with them. He's around the building all the time. During the summer he's around here. He takes the time to be around the players. And that's the only way you can build relationships. You can't just show up on Saturday and say, 'Hey I'd like you to do these things for me.' So, I think it's the time that he puts in, and because of that he has built really good relationships and a lot of it on trust."
Baker's relationships and development of linebackers Whit Weeks and Greg Penn have completely revolutionized the LSU offense. Both players have 50+ tackles on the year, 21 pass rush pressures and five sacks between them, and continually contain the short passing game.
It seems that on top of Blake Baker's unique defensive schemes and shifts to fit certain opponents, the one secret that sets him apart has been his relational development. And that shows up across the entire defense. How the team communicates, makes the right checks, and consistently comes up with big plays together; that all comes from strong relationships and the cohesiveness that makes any defense great.
The LSU defense is going to have to be on top of their game yet again this week as they're set to play Texas A&M in College Statio. But unlike last season, there's really no worry that LSU fans need to be feeling this time around. The entire defensive unit is at a great place thanks to Blake Baker and his superstar linebackers.
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