Ed Paris, safety, LSU
LSU has become DB U lately, with some of the best collegiate safeties and corners hailing from Baton Rouge. Jamal Adams led the way for the Tigers last year and became one of the top picks in the 2017 NFL Draft (No. 6 overall to the New York Jets). Now that Adams has moved on to bigger and better things, Paris has taken his spot in the starting lineup opposite senior John Battle.
A converted cornerback (was a corner for two-and-a-half years), Paris has naturally taken to his position change and is set up to have a huge season in this capacity for the Tigers in 2017.
“As a corner, I need to know what the linebackers are doing and what the ends are doing,” Paris said, per Nick Suss of SEC Country. “Safety, you just know what everybody’s doing. It broadens my game. It makes me more of a football player. My football smartness is increasing.”
In 13 career games as a corner, Paris only registered 17 total tackles and defended one pass. However, head coach Ed Orgeron doesn’t think that was his natural position and is confident the position change will work out for both Paris as a player and LSU’s defense as a whole.
If it does (and we think it will), then Paris will be one of the biggest up-and-coming stars of 2017.