Brian Kelly applauds new-found depth at cornerback position
Prior to preseason camp, Brian Kelly was not sure who would be playing cornerback for LSU — or more precisely, who would even be ready to play cornerback. Now, after more than a dozen camp practices, Kelly thinks the Tigers have as many as six players who the coaching staff would confidently put on the field at cornerback.
Two specific players Kelly noted could play the wide field corner position were Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Mekhi Garner. All told, he thinks LSU has an array of flexible players at cornerback.
“Well, we like Jarrick at the wide field corner,” Kelly said. We think he’s really smart and savvy. Has a good feel for it. Mekhi, as well, can play there. You know, I just think that we have interchangeable pieces there.
Bernard-Converse and Garner both transferred to LSU this year. Bernard-Converse came from Oklahoma State, and Garner departed nearby Louisiana. Both bring a bevy of collegiate experience — Garner started at cornerback for two seasons, with 15 passes defended and Bernard-Converse racked up 24 passes defended and two interceptions in four years with the Cowboys. It’s no surprise Kelly is confident in either of them.
On top of those two more seasoned players, Kelly said the freshmen cornerbacks have also impressed him and the coaching staff. With the youth coming up to speed relatively fast, a position of concern has rapidly become a position of luxury for LSU.
“The freshmen have done a really nice job out there. I think we came into camp with a lot of uncertainties at corner,” Kelly said. “And I think going into our 13th practice, I think we’ve got six corners that we feel that we can play. And that’s a far cry from where we were a few months ago.”