LSU football has a top 10 safety in the SEC, according to PFF

The LSU defensive backfield has plenty to prove in 2023. The team will be welcoming 11 new members to the group this coming season. That’s a hard thing to do, but luckily, they have a couple of crucial returners at the safety position. In fact, LSU football has a top 10 safety in the SEC, according to Pro Football Focus, with senior safety Greg Brooks Jr.

LSU football has a top 10 safety in the SEC with 5th-year senior Greg Brooks Jr

Despite all the new pieces joining the LSU football defensive backfield in 2023, there’s plenty to be confident about regarding that group. One of the biggest reasons is the safety tandem returning to the team.

Safeties Major Burns and Greg Brooks Jr are both returning. When healthy, this can easily be one of the best duos in the SEC.

Recently, PFF recognized Brooks Jr as one of the top 10 returning safeties for the 2023 season. He was listed at No. 8 overall, but there’s plenty of argument for him to be rated even higher.

Highest graded returning SEC Safeties🔥 pic.twitter.com/18BQhFQtWO

— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 29, 2023

Through the 2022 season, Brooks Jr recorded 63 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two interceptions. It was also his first season with the team, as he spent his first three seasons at Arkansas before transferring to the Tigers.

With an entire season under his belt now, he is a seasoned veteran with the LSU football program. Does this mean he’ll take a jump in 2023? It’s hard to say for sure, but he certainly has the pieces around him to make it happen.

Brooks Jr made plenty of big-time plays for the Tigers’ defensive backfield in 2022

In his first season with LSU football, Greg Brooks Jr was as good as advertised, if not better. It was by far the best season of his career, with the next best season likely coming in 2020 when he recorded 39 tackles.

He proved to be the kind of safety who could cover downfield, as well as charge into the backfield to try and make a big hit.

Listen to Tiger Stadium when Greg Brooks Jr makes this hit🔥#LSU pic.twitter.com/m6khii2Tia

— Mik’d Up (@Mikdup_8) September 18, 2022

Overall, he was electric for the Tigers. Through a season in which there was plenty of unknown on defense, he was exactly what coach Brian Kelly needed for his first season.

Brooks Jr was truly the kind of player who wasn’t afraid to make a big play when needed. Considering that, it just makes things all the more exciting for 2023.

Greg Brooks Jr. did his best Honey Badger impression to secure the dub 😤 @LSUfootball

🎥 𝗦𝗘𝗖 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 pic.twitter.com/ELDm3JWzLE

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 5, 2022

As mentioned before, there is plenty of work left to do in the Tigers’ secondary. Still, safety Greg Brooks Jr should provide some much-needed stability throughout the season.

Barring any injury, the LSU football defensive backfield could be one of the best in the SEC. Who knows, it might even be one of the best in the country. They just need to put the pieces together and rely on the veterans to help lead the charge.

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