LSU Football Depth Chart: Evaluating the Safety Position

The Tigers bring back returning talent, several newcomers to add depth.

The LSU secondary has been the talk of the town during Fall Camp when it comes to a piece of the defense that needs improvement.

With several fresh faces, continuity is forming, but it’s been a work in progress as preseason practice reaches the finish line.

At the safety position, the Tigers bring in a few newcomers, but who will make the biggest impact in 2023?

The Safety Depth Chart

Major Burns

Burns returns to Baton Rouge for another season with the chance to take his game to another level. A seasoned veteran, Burns has taken on more of a leadership role for the Tigers during Fall Camp.

There have been concerns surrounding the LSU secondary when it comes to talent level and depth, but Burns returns as a player who’s showcased his abilities at the highest level. 

When healthy, he’s a versatile weapon defensive coordinator Matt House utilizes well.

Burns has worked with the safeties all offseason and even saw a few reps at linebacker during drills during preseason practice. Pencil in the returning Tiger as a starter.

Taking That Step

🫡 @majorburns6 pic.twitter.com/IH5N3WRm06

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) August 17, 2023

Sage Ryan 

Ryan has taken that next step this offseason with the chance to make an impact for the Tigers in 2023. He's moved around the secondary all offseason but thrived at nickel.

When looking at players who can have a "breakout" season, Ryan is a player who must be penciled in. He's worked with the first team through camp and has looked impressive when given a larger workload. 

The third-year Tiger has an opportunity to be a key piece to what this LSU secondary does and is more than ready for an increased role. 

Greg Brooks

It’s been a challenging offseason for Brooks. The Louisiana native was banged up during spring camp and missed some time during fall ball as well. 

For Brooks, staying on the field has been a concern which led to the Tigers adding some depth this offseason in Tulane/Marshall transfer Andre Sam.

Like Burns, Brooks is a stud when healthy. He showcased a “Honey Badger” type tenacity last season and came up in a big way for this program when called upon, but remaining on the field will be of the utmost importance. 

Andre Sam

The first-year Tiger will play his final season of eligibility in Baton Rouge and has quickly asserted himself as a starting caliber talent. Sam’s rise this offseason has been a bright spot for this LSU secondary.

With both Burns and Brooks battling the injury bug during their careers, it was important for Brian Kelly and Co. to secure a durable, experienced player to their safety room. Insert Sam.

The sixth-year senior shined for Marshall a season ago, and with some questioning whether Sam could compete in the SEC, Fall Camp has been a stretch where he’s proved his worth. 

It’s a small sample size, but Sam looks more than ready to take on a significant role for the Tigers in 2023 while running with the first team. 

Jordan Allen

Allen has taken both first and second team reps during preseason practice as the redshirt freshman looks to take on an increased role this season. 

He’s had an impressive offseason to this point and has rotated in as the No. 4 safety on this roster at times behind Burns, Brooks and Sam.

But one injury to this safety room and Allen quickly inserts himself as a player who will take major snaps this season. 

At 5-foot-11, 196-pounds, Allen plays low to the ground but utilizes his close out speed to attack opponents.

Look for second-year Tiger to make an impact in some capacity this year for LSU.

Other players on the depth chart to monitor:

Freshman Javien Toviano

Freshman Kylin Jackson