Mike Jones Jr. reveals early impression, biggest difference in the new LSU strength staff

Rapidly approaching his second season with the LSU Tigers, former Clemson linebacker Mike Jones Jr. is primed for a larger role with the defense. On the Bengal Tiger podcast with Billy Embody, Jones shared how Brian Kelly’s strength staff is different from the ones he worked with at Clemson and under Ed Orgeron.

“Coach (Jake) Flint’s awesome,” Jones said. “He always brings the energy. He’s very intentional about our exercises. The whole staff is really great. Love those guys a lot. They’re going to be a big reason why we play well this year. They focus on accountability.”

“Off the field is one of the most important things since you know, you can only be in the weight room a certain amount of time,” Jones continued. “They make sure guys are taking their vitamins, eating their meals. They’re really focused on guys doing the little things. Making sure that we know that we’re in a position to get all our stuff done every day, that’s really what I think is the biggest difference between them and the staff I’ve had the previous years.”

Director of Athletic Development Jake Flint was on staff at Notre Dame for 12 years, serving as co-director since 2017. While on the staff, he helped lead Notre Dame to 10 or more wins seven times with 11 bowl appearances. Flint got his start in football as a walk-on at Central Michigan under Kelly.

In 10 games played last season, Mike Jones tallied a career-high 34 tackles with 14 solo and a sack. In his first three seasons at Clemson, including a redshirt year, he posted 46 tackles. With Kelly and Matt House revamping the defense, the Tennessee native has every opportunity to step up for more reps in 2022.

Matt House revamping LSU defense

The LSU Tigers are counting on the development of guys like Maason Smith, Jaquelin Roy and BJ Ojulari to field a better defense in 2022. They went out and added Greg Brooks Jr. and Joe Foucha from Arkansas, All-Big 12 corner Jarrick Bernard-Converse from Oklahoma State, corner Mekhi Garner from Louisiana-Lafayette and versatile DE/DT Mehki Wingo from Missouri.

In 2021, LSU allowed an SEC-high 29 touchdowns and ranked 10th in the conference in overall defense.

The linebacker group has a more inexperienced flavor to it than the DL or secondary, but with Jones and returning leading tackler Micah Baskerville, they have some solid leadership. Greg Penn III could make a big sophomore jump and 5-star freshman Harold Perkins Jr. could contribute early as well.

After finishing last in the SEC West last season, LSU has a lot to regain from their 2019 glory days. The Tigers open the season with Florida State on Sept. 4. On the schedule as well are road games at Texas A&M, Florida, Arkansas and Auburn. The Tigers host Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.