BATON ROUGE — Eight different LSU football players have been ranked among the best in the nation at their positions according to the Sporting News in its annual College Football Yearbook, which will hit the newsstands this summer.
The LSU group is highlighted by senior offensive guard Stephen Peterman, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 guard. Peterman, a First Team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2002, is also listed as a First Team Preseason All-America by the Sporting News.
Tiger senior punter Donnie Jones, a second team all-conference pick in 2002, is ranked as the nation’s third-best punter. Last year, Jones averaged 44.0 yards on 64 punts.
Ben Wilkerson, who overcame a series of injuries last year, heads into the 2003 season as the nation’s No. 4 ranked center, while junior-to-be Michael Clayton is listed as the No. 8 rated receiver in the country. Clayton, a second team all-league pick a year ago, led the Tigers with 57 receptions for 749 yards and five touchdowns last season.
Andrew Whitworth, a First Team Freshman All-America last season, is ranked as the nation’s 20th best offensive tackles.
Defensively, defensive end Marcus Spears heads the list of Tigers with a rating of No. 11 in the nation. A year ago, Spears started 12 games for the Tigers and registered 46 tackles and three sacks.
Senior Chad Lavalais is ranked as the 14th best defensive tackle, while Corey Webster has the No. 14 rating among cornerbacks. Webster, a First Team All-SEC pick in 2002, led the league with seven interceptions to go with 36 tackles and 17 pass breakups. Lavalais had 66 tackles and two sacks in 2002.
LSU’s offensive line, which returns four starters, is ranked as the fifth best unit in the nation.