College Football

Which LSU incoming freshmen can impact team in 2016?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:42 p.m. ET

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LSU signed one of the best collection of talents in the country for the class of 2016. 

Les Miles and his staff absolutely loaded up in the state of Louisiana -- particularly when it came to defensive linemen, wide receivers, offensive linemen, and defensive backs. 

The Tigers appear to be loaded heading into next season -- with much of its young roster returning to Baton Rouge. While there may not be too many starting spots up for grab, there are at least three incoming freshmen primed to see the field as first-year players. 

Interestingly enough, all three are early enrollees into the program. 

DB Saivion Smith

Rated as the No. 2 safety in the country by Rivals.com, Smith is a highly-active defensive back out of Florida. 

Fluid with his movements, he'd adept in coverage at multiple spots. LSU could plug Smith into a safety role -- but also as a corner and as a nickelback. This sort of position versatility should work well with Dave Aranda's complex defensive scheme. 

LSU loses starting safety Jalen Mills, and there's a chance Corey Thompson slides down to an outside linebacker position. 

Smith is also helped by the fact he's an early enrollee. When looking at the situation in its totality, expect the IMG Academy product to see some time on the field. 

ATH Devin White

White is a freak in the absolute best sense of the word. A year ago, White ran an electronically timed 4.49 in the 40-yard dash. He also ran a 10.68 in the 100-meter event. 

The most impressive thing about those two numbers is the fact White registers at 6-foot-1, 255 pounds. 

While he's fully capable of playing as a linebacker, it appears as if he'll get a shot to participate as a careening bowling-ball of a running back. With White's combination of size and speed, Miles would be hard-pressed to keep him off the field. He's too unique an athlete to not utilize. 

LB Michael Divinity

Divinity is perhaps the freshman with the best shot at garnering a considerable role right away. 

A local product, Divinity is an exceptionally quick and athletic linebacker. He's capable of roaming sideline-to-sideline, and certainly packs a punch when coming up to meet skill position players at the point of attack.

With starting outside linebackers Lamar Louis and Deion Jones leaving, it provides Divinity with a golden opportunity to cement himself within the rotation. Depth is very thin, and Divinity's status as an early enrollee should aid in his development/transition tremendously.   

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