Jaquelin Roy bringing more consistency on LSU defensive line
LSU defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy is entering a critical year for him in Baton Rouge as he picks up NFL Draft buzz ahead of his junior season. Roy is showing more consistency in his performance, which is helped by his ability to play more snaps at a high level.
“Just more being consistent. Come to practice having the right mindset was something I struggled with my first two years,” Roy said during spring practice. “Doing the whole practice and not getting tired was something I needed to work on. I feel like I’m doing it this year.”
As Jaquelin Roy is eating right and putting in the work in the weight room, his body composition is improving. He reported that he’s at 24 percent body fat, a vast improvement from high school. The Baton Rouge native is working with a new defensive line coach as Jamar Cain, who is showing him a new position in Matt House’s defense.
“Coach Cain taught me a lot since he’s been here,” he said. “I’m actually playing nose now in the 3-4 so I get to move, shows me how to line up and shade, and down hand and the 3-tech or whatever. Just better execution.”
Jaquelin Roy among plenty of talent on the defensive line
His fellow 2020 classmate, Jacobian Guillory, continues to get better after battling some injuries early in his career. Roy pegged him as a player who could be in for a big year in the middle of the defense.
“He’s growing. He’s getting better,” Roy explained. “I just feel like he needs to get more conditioned. Once he do that, he’ll be able to go. He’s going to be a helluva player here.”
Another highly-touted prospect LSU signed out of Baton Rouge, Quency Wiggins, is oozing with potential. Roy sees it every day in practice.
“He’s flashing. He’s doing real good. Winning a lot of 1-on-1 reps in pass rush,” he said. “Just stay consistent and he’ll be fine.”
Overall with players like Ali Gaye, BJ Ojulari, Maason Smith and others, LSU’s defensive line is talented. Jaquelin Roy sees big things happening for the group, helped by Smith’s improvement entering Year 2.
“We’ll cause a lot of havoc this year. I feel good. We feel better in the run game. We both got stronger,” he said. “Both more athletic and bigger. The pass game will just come.”
Roy finished 2021 with 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 13 games after playing in nine games as a true freshman.
