LSU safety Greg Brooks Jr. will be the x-factor of LSU’s secondary heading into the 2023 season as the Tiger secondary will be filled with some new faces, including transfers and incoming recruits from the Class of 2023. Brooks Jr. was dominant in 2022 and will look to continue that momentum heading into his final collegiate season in Baton Rouge.

He has more than three years of experience in the SEC and his high IQ allows him to play multiple positions across LSU’s secondary. LSU had to retool their secondary heading into the 2022 season and Brian Kelly had to do the same as key players played their final season for the Tigers. Brooks Jr. will play a vital role in if LSU can reach its ceiling heading into 2023.

Greg Brooks Jr. Shines in His First Season at LSU:

Greg Brooks Jr. lines up against Alabama

LSU S Greg Brooks Jr. (3) – Tyler Kaufman/AP Photo

Before joining the purple and gold heading into the 2022 season, Brooks Jr. spent his first three seasons at Arkansas. With Arkansas, he recorded 112 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. In coverage, he broke up 12 passes and had four interceptions. After a successful career with the Razorbacks, Brooks Jr. decided to play for his home state and transfer to LSU. The Harvey, Louisiana native wouldn’t be the only Arkansas player to join the Tigers as his Razorback teammate, Joe Foucha, also decided to enter the transfer portal in the offseason.

Brooks Jr. would waste no time in helping out a Tiger defense that was retooled in the offseason as they had to go get cornerbacks from the transfer portal after LSU lost some key players to the NFL Draft. LSU only had 39 scholarship players after the Texas Bowl against Kansas State. Key players on the defensive side, including Dwight McGlothern and Eli Ricks, entered their names into the transfer portal.

Brooks Jr. was able to revitalize the LSU secondary in his first season as he racked up 63 total tackles (36 solo tackles), one sack, one forced fumble, two interceptions, and three passes defended. He played 867 snaps, with 256 of those coming at the slot and corner role.

He would have the best year of his collegiate career so far and Brooks Jr. led the Tiger pass defense to finish as the 32nd-best pass defense in the country. LSU’s defense surrendered just over 200 passing yards per game. His best game of the season would come in the loss to Tennessee, as he recorded ten total tackles (six solo tackles) and one forced fumble.

Brooks Jr. announced after the season that he would be coming back to Baton Rouge for his final collegiate season, and that is going to be key for LSU’s secondary moving forward heading into the 2023 season. The Harvey, Louisiana, spoke on what ultimately made him bypass the NFL Draft and come back for another season with the purple and gold:

“Normally, this is where you hear the part about moving on to the next chapter, but I believe my story in Baton Rouge is not over,” Brooks said. “I will continue on this Path to Greatness at LSU for one more year. I want to close this chapter the right way alongside my brothers and Tiger Nation.”

Taking a Look at LSU’s Secondary Heading into the 2023 Season:

LSU secondary adds new faces heading into the 2023 season

LSU S Greg Brooks Jr. (3) – Hilary Scheinuk/NOLA.com

LSU is expected to have a new-look secondary after Mekhi Garner, Jay Ward, Joe Foucha, and Jarrick Bernard-Converse all exited the program. There is reason for optimism even with the departures, as Brooks Jr. will headline the LSU secondary as the most seasoned of the bunch. Alongside Brooks Jr., Sage Ryan, and Major Burns will headline the returning players coming back for the Tiger secondary. As mentioned, Brian Kelly and his staff had to retool this secondary once more after LSU lost several key players to the NFL Draft.

LSU was able to use the transfer portal again as the Tigers added Zy Alexander, JK Johnson, Duce Chestnut, and Denver Harris. Outside of the transfer portal, the purple and gold were also able to use the recruiting trail to put the finishing touches on their secondary in the offseason.

One of the top signees in the Class of 2022 that will get an opportunity to have playing time in his debut season is LaTerrence Welsh. Welsh saw 52 snaps in the 2022 season, but there will be spots that are available for the star cornerback to see more time on the field in 2023.

There were question marks heading into the 2022 season as if LSU’s secondary was going to be talented enough to compete against SEC competition week-in-and-week-out. The same will be said heading into the 2023 season with new additions coming through the transfer portal. The Tigers have veteran experience that will be able to complement the new faces in the locker room and if they can mesh together, then LSU will be set up to compete for an SEC title in 2023.