Lonn Phillips Sullivan
Sep 18, 20203 min
Updated: Sep 22, 2020
#46
6'4
256
2019 STATS:
9 TACKLES (4 SOLO)
2 PD
1.0 TFL
1.0 SACKS
Anthony has become a celebrated name drop for Coach Orgeron or Bo Pelini, both meatball-rollers raving about the kid's abilities off the edge. This love for the senior includes a deep-rooted belief that he could start over freshman sensation B.J Ojulari, Phillip Webb, Glen Logan and Neil Farrell.
Andre was part of the title winning squad, although he'll be looking to finish his LSU career with a massive statement: becoming yet another Tiger who shocks the world.
2019 saw the metamorphosis of an irrational amount of "outsiders" transcending the boundaries and rising as legends, from Joe Burrow, Lloyd Cushenberry, Justin Jefferson & Ja'Marr Chase, Clyde Edwards-Helaire & Patrick Queen among a host of others...there were many astonishing transformations, and if we're to believe everything we hear outta the coaching staff, Andre Anthony is on the cusp of his own turnaround.
Before Bo Pelini or Coach Orgeron named Andre as one of their first choice 2020 defensive ends, or discussed his rapid development, there was no Twitter hype for Anthony, no clever photoshops, no certainty surrounding his inclusion...just doubts.
Now that Pelini has invoked his name, every LSU writer or commentator is blindly rushed to amend their list of players to watch, including #46 without reservation.
Will we see Andre Anthony starting for LSU beyond Week1?
Yes! From what we've seen during recent scrimmages, Anthony has solidified his talents, geauxing full beast mode.
Back in 2018 and 2019, Andre never lacked for speed, always able to catch tackles off guard...his deficiency was always his lack of girth and overwhelming physicality...Anthony was a total finesse edge-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker under Dave Aranda.
Thanks to Bo Pelini, Andre was instructed to bulk up, get more physical and violent on the outside, more deliberate in his movements and the first-choice DE has responded mightily: he gained 6 additional pounds over the past month and a half (a robust, though still rangy 256 currently) as well as dueling against Dare Rosenthal and Austin Deculus to a riveting degree during the two Tiger presesason games thus far (a third this evening).
Anthony could definitely become the breakout superstar edge-rusher 2020 LSU are screaming out for...and many fans are already believing in #46 due to Bo Pelini and Coach Ed Orgeron's unceasing, unwavering belief.
After his strength and leadership throughout the Tigers' protests and players' march (assuming a leading role alongside Jacoby Stevens), Anthony has grown as a teammate, an LSU captain and a man...becoming an extreme example of Tiger Greatness, no matter the outcome of his 2020 season.
But right now, he has a destiny to fulfill on the football field and Andre appears 100% ready to make the most of the chance.
PROJECTIONS:
5.5 Sacks, 44 Total Tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1 FF, Forced Safety
(at minimum, 10 game regular season stat projections only)
We Believe Andre is the improved talent Orgeron has hyped him to be: much is expected of Anthony, so much is to be delivered...thanks to opt outs and transfers, LSU has a depleted edge rush from this standpoint...but if Andre could explode for an even better campaign than we're projecting above, LSU would find themselves in fantastic fettle for the long haul against contending SEC teams (Florida, Bama, Georgia).
There's also every chance Andre's lack of mass could be exposed and we witness the rise of Ojulari / Webb straight up out of necessity; There's no doubt Orgeron & Johnson will find out whichever pass-rusher is best for the Tigers before the Florida game (in Week 4), that date must be the deadline for figuring out every position on the roster....most of all solidifying your starting pass-rusher
By Lonn Phillips Sullivan
@LonnPhillips
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