Brian Kelly believes Zy Alexander has been 'trustworthy' on LSU defense

LSU was active in the transfer portal on defense this offseason, using it to shore up a few spots. The addition of Zy Alexander in the secondary has proven a big one.

Alexander is competing for playing time in the secondary this fall after arriving by way of Southeastern Louisiana, about 30 minutes east of LSU’s campus.

“I think the first thing is he’s a guy that’s trustworthy,” coach Brian Kelly said. “Does the little things the right way. He’s a guy that takes care of his work off the field on time, reliable. Those traits, as we know, they’re transferable. So at that position that’s what you’re looking for.”

Alexander was a first-team All-Southland Conference selection for the Lions in 2022, while he was a third-team FCS All-American by the Associated Press in 2021.

He appeared in 31 games for the Lions, racking up 97 tackles, nine interceptions and 12 pass breakups.

He’s shown enough that LSU feels comfortable with him in the back end of the defense, an area they sought to shore up this offseason via the transfer portal.

“He brings length, athleticism and we’ve seen him be a guy that’s not afraid to stick his nose in there,” Kelly said. “Even though he played quarterback in high school, he is physically developing and getting stronger.”

LSU wasn’t terrible in the secondary a year ago; the Tigers finished ranked 32nd nationally in passing defense. But for the team to achieve its goals this season — potentially repeating as SEC West champions and earning a College Football Playoff berth — the Tigers will need to be even better.

Moreover, turnovers are an area where LSU can improve.

LSU finished ranked 43rd last season in takeaways, with 20 total. Only nine were interceptions, though, which ranked 79th nationally.

The good news? Alexander has shown the ability to go up and get it.

“We like his willingness to go in there and want to tackle, and I think we saw on Saturday he’s got the nose for the football too,” Kelly said. “When it’s in the air he’s going to go up and find it, and he can catch it.”

Alexander will make his LSU debut on Sept. 3, when the team takes on Florida State in a highly anticipated rematch of top-10 teams.