With The First Pick
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2021 NFL Draft: LSU Football taking risk on FCS transfer talents

By Cory Kinnan

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 31: Linebacker Jabril Cox #42 of the North Dakota State Bison reacts on defense during his team's game against the Butler Bulldogs at Target Field on August 31, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 31: Linebacker Jabril Cox #42 of the North Dakota State Bison reacts on defense during his team's game against the Butler Bulldogs at Target Field on August 31, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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With the 2021 NFL Draft next, LSU Football is giving opportunities to transfers

It is not everyday that you see a team fresh off of a National Championship haul in a couple of small-school transfers in the offseason. However, with the 2021 NFL Draft as the next stop for these former FCS players, LSU Football is taking a chance on them with a chance to go back-to-back despite completely turning over their roster.

Not only did they have a handful of first round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, such as Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, but they have also seen a handful of players either transfer or opt out this summer as well. The biggest name and body among those lost this summer include defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who are now training for the NFL Scouting Combine.

LB Jabril Cox was first to make the move to LSU Football

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Quarterback Trey Lance and offensive tackle Dillon Radunz are not the only big named players to come out of North Dakota State, but linebacker Jabril Cox is another name to keep an eye on. Heading into his last year of eligibility, Cox made the move from North Dakota to the Bayou.

For a team that bled out three linebackers, two to the 2020 NFL Draft, and one to TCU as a transfer in a Marcell Brooks, they will turn to Cox to come in and start right away in new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini’s defense. Throughout the first three seasons, the 6-foot-3 and 233 pound linebacker has racked up over 150 solo tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks in his career.

Looking to replace Patrick Queen and Jacob Phillips, the LSU Football Tigers will turn to the former FCS superstar to fill that void.

LSU lands another FCS transfer this week

Then just this week, the Tigers landed Nicholls State cornerback Darren Evans on the transfer portal. While he does not technically have to enter the 2021 NFL Draft, he is eligible should he take a huge leap in 2020 with a jump to the SEC. In fact as the NCAA is not counting the 2020 season towards eligibility, Evans could hang around for two more years in his hometown of Baton Rouge.

With ideal length, Evans is listed at 6-3 and 180 pounds, and is coming off of a season where he racked up 19 pass breakups. With Kristian Fulton off to the NFL, Evans has a chance to start opposite of the true sophomore phenom Derek Stingley for the Tigers in 2020.

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Outlook on LSU in 2020

After losing Burrow, star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, half of his offensive line, and the majority of their defense, LSU is going to have their backs up against the wall in 2020 as they look to repeat. Getting a productive leap out of the FCS transfers in Cox and Evans will help LSU from suffering a setback from their triumphs in 2020; a big risk indeed.

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