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by Molly Clark
LSU Sports Information
Offense wins games. Defense wins championships.
LSU has a long tradition of victories and championships. These teams and titles, however, are only as strong as the players who make it happen.
Defensive players Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith and Craig Steltz led the Tigers to a dominating win over Ohio State to capture the 2007 BCS National Championship.
Big shoes to fill? Yes.
The coaching staff this season relies heavily on senior linebacker Darry Beckwith and senior safety Curtis Taylor to fill those shoes with their talent and leadership.
The two met in 2005 when Beckwith was a true freshman and Taylor a redshirt freshman.
The pair lived together for two years and became very close friends. Throughout their friendship, they have been part of an incredible and successful era of LSU football. Both had a part in clinching three bowl game wins, an SEC title and a BCS national championship.
But friendship and titles are not the only things they have in common.
Both Beckwith and Taylor are known for being soft-spoken and gentle off the field, but assertive and fiery on the field. They are the quiet heroes that the younger, inexperienced players look up to.
Until this season, Beckwith and Taylor let the more experienced Tigers be the motivating and driving force of the defense. Now that players like Dorsey, Highsmith and Steltz are gone, Beckwith and Taylor have risen to the occasion.
“Being under the great leadership of positive guys throughout the years has helped me to become the player I am today,” Taylor said. “Now that they’re gone, it’s my turn to do the same. The most important lesson the older guys taught me, and what I hope to teach the younger guys, is that when it comes to be your time to step up to the plate, you know what to do and how to do it.”
Though the team has suffered setbacks this year, the defense keeps looking forward to the rest of the season with the help of Beckwith and Taylor’s motivation.
“I just continue to remind the defense that we had two losses last year, but we finished the season strong,” Beckwith said. “We still have a lot left to play for and possibly an SEC championship.”
“The main thing is to keep the guys going in a positive way,” Taylor explained. “We had two losses last year that were partly the defense’s fault where we gave up a lot of points. We have to keep the guys level-headed and positive. We can’t stay out on the field too long. We have to keep defending the ball and move on.”
During games, the two seniors are at the center of the huddle, pumping up their teammates. Before the ball is snapped on a critical play, Beckwith and Taylor are waving their arms up and down in the air, appealing to the fans’ enthusiasm and loud voices to distract the opposing offense.
Other defenders soon follow the pair’s lead. Anyone on the defense could signal the stadium for noise, but the younger players expect the cue from Beckwith and Taylor and wouldn’t have it any other way. They look to the veterans to provide an example of what it takes to be successful at the highest level.
“Curtis and I really try to show our work ethic on and off the field,” Beckwith said. “You can’t say one thing on the field and do something differently off the field. We always carry ourselves in a way on and off the field that we would want the younger guys to see.”
Both players had a number of scholarship offers from around the country. Family was an important consideration for both Beckwith and Taylor when making their final decision. When signing day arrived, LSU was the obvious choice.
Taylor, who was raised in Franklinton, La., said that being close to his family was a big factor in his decision.
“My parents and the rest of my family are only an hour-and-a-half away, so that allows them to come visit me and watch me play on Saturdays during the fall,” Taylor explained. “Now that my brothers are on the team also, having our parents close by makes it that much more special.”
For Taylor, football is not just a sport, but a family affair as well. The Taylors are a large, close-knit family of nine children. Two of Curtis’ younger brothers are freshmen on the LSU squad. Jhyryn is a wide receiver, and Brandon is a cornerback. Curtis said he did not try to influence their decisions, but he was very pleased when they chose to become Fighting Tigers.
“Playing Division I football with my brothers has been a great experience,” Taylor said. “I’ve loved it since day one. I’m proud of them for taking a positive role on the team and learning more about the game and coming out to practice and practicing hard.”
Beckwith, a Baton Rouge native, said, “My mom basically committed for me. She knows me better than anyone, and she knew that LSU was the right place for me.
“LSU has been a blessing in my life. I’m very grateful to be given to the opportunity to play right here in my own hometown. The friends I’ve made and the people and fans I’ve formed relationships with along the way have treated me well. I couldn’t ask for a better place to play.”
The experiences and lessons learned that the young men have picked up along their journey at LSU have helped shape them into the leaders they are today.
“Hard work and dedication is really instilled in us from day one,” Beckwith said. “The work ethic from the coaches to the players on down is incredible. The leadership from the past players is something I really look up to, and I want to follow in their footsteps.”
Although their senior season will conclude in roughly two months, Beckwith and Taylor continue to be role models to the younger members of the defense through their selflessness, determination and spirit. Next season, when it is time for a new group of players to emerge as leaders, they will certainly have big shoes to fill.