Barkevious Mingo- Defensive end
If the name isn’t intimidating enough, Mingo’s two-year career at LSU has been nothing short of remarkable. The 6-foot-5-inch, 240-pound junior appeared in all 13 of LSU’s as a freshman, racking up 35 tackles. He earned 2010 Freshman All-Southeastern Conference honors and made one season start against National Champion Auburn. Mingo was one of the SEC’s most feared pass-rushers as a sophomore, and ranked third in the conference with 15 tackles for loss. He garnered 2011 second Team All-SEC honors.
Zach Mettenberger- Quarterback
Mettenberger earned the starting spot a year after a controversial situation arose with starters Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson. The former Georgia signee made five game appearances last season and was 8-11 with 92 yards and a touchdown against Northwestern State. With LSU’s ability to establish the run game thus far, Mettenberger hasn’t been relied upon heavily. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t impressed in his first two starts. In wins against North Texas and Washington, Mettenberger’s thrown at a 70 percent completion rate with two touchdowns.
Jalen Mills- Cornerback
When Tyrann Mathieu was indefinitely suspended from the program, questions about who would replace the “Honey Badger” arose. Mills, a freshman from the greater Dallas area wasted no time answering those questions. In high school, Mills was ranked the No. 33 cornerback in the nation but proved in his first two games, he could be much better than that. Mills recorded four tackles against North Texas and seven more against Washington. He intercepted a pass and has another pass break-up against the Huskies. A breakout game against UW earned Mills SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
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