The LSU football team is ranked No. 6 in the USA Today coaches’ poll released today, behind Ohio State, Florida State, Oklahoma, Clemson and—you guessed it—defending champion Alabama.
As 225 magazine details in its new cover story and special section on LSU football, a number of Tiger seniors have opted to remain in college for one more year with a singular goal in mind: bringing the championship trophy back to Baton Rouge.
“That’s something that I told myself when I first came here that I wanted to get,” says senior defensive lineman Christian LaCouture, who chose to forgo the NFL draft along with players such as defensive standouts Kendell Beckwith and Tre’Davious White. “Coming to LSU, with a team like this, and playing in the conference that we are … you’re always going to have a chance to compete for a national championship. This is my last go-round, and I want to make sure that happens. There’s not going to be any regrets whatsoever.”
This group of seniors has helped build what might be the most highly anticipated season in the Les Miles era. They also may have changed the culture of a program that proudly puts players into the NFL—despite suffering consequences on the collegiate level because of it.
Read the complete 225 cover story, “Ready to Roar,” and check out other stories from the LSU Tigers special section, including a look at some new Tigers to watch this season; a look at some of the notable Tigers in the NFL; and a rundown of what the sports pundits are saying about the Tigers’ chances of winning the national championship.
