The biggest reason why LSU’s secondary struggled so much in 2023 is also the simplest: they just weren’t that talented.
I don’t mean to diminish the college kids from last year’s roster. They are of course exceptional athletes and far be it from me to suggest I could do better. But when I look at the guys LSU rolled out in the secondary last fall, there wasn’t a single draftable player and I’m not sure how many future pros are this year.
The 2020 LSU defense was just as bad as last year’s, but that 2020 secondary at least had pros on it like Derek Stingley, Eli Ricks, Cordale Flott, and Jay Ward.