*Derek Stingley Jr., LSU Football News: Draft Scout Player News

07/22/21 - CB *Derek Stingley Jr., Jr/2022, LSU

It has been something LSU All-American Derek Stingley Jr. has not been accustomed to hearing. When he signed at LSU in December of 2018 as the consensus No. 1 cornerback in the nation, the Tigers were about to finish the season at 10-3 with a win over Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl. As a freshman the next season, LSU went 15-0 and won the national championship. Then the Tigers dipped to 5-5 last year. "A lot of people talking bad about us, saying we're not any good and that we're not going anywhere," Stingley said Monday at the SEC Media Days. "I heard a lot of bad things. It was different, especially after my freshman year when everything went right." LSU, which opens the season Sept. 4 against UCLA in Pasadena, California, will try to change that view immediately. "We're coming into this year to prove a point that we at LSU are still in this conversation," Stingley said. "We're still one of the top schools. Everybody has a chip on their shoulder. We're going to be playing with an edge."

LSU coach Ed Orgeron has noticed that approach from Stingley and others. "Something's going on in the locker room," he said. "Something's going on. Our players believe in each other." Individually, Stingley did not have the same season in 2020 he enjoyed in 2019 either. After leading the SEC with six interceptions and finishing second in the nation in passes defended with 21 through 15 starts, Stingley played in only seven games because of injuries and illness in 2020. He missed the opener after being rushed to the hospital the night before the game. Stingley finished 2020 with no interceptions and just five passes defended as opposing quarterbacks found success going away from Stingley. "I know I can play better," he said. "I'm going into this season healthier." - Lafayette Daily Advertiser

Jr/2022