Former LSU safety JaCoby Stevens joins Tigers' coaching staff

A familiar face was spotted on the sidelines for day one of LSU fall camp, as former Tigers safety JaCoby Stevens was present for the first day of preseason practice on Thursday.

Stevens has returned to Baton Rouge as a member of LSU’s coaching staff, helping out on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers ahead of the 2023 season.

Stevens was a highly touted recruit out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, earning a five-star rating and ranked the No. 2 safety in the country and the No. 21 overall prospect for the 2017 recruiting class according to On3’s Industry Ranking.

He chose LSU over many other top programs in the nation, splitting time between wide receiver and safety in his first season at Baton Rouge before coming into his own as a defensive back for the Tigers. He started the final four games of the 2018 season and carried that momentum into 2019 as an integral piece in the Tigers’ 2019 National Championship run.

During that season he started all 15 games for the Tigers, ranking second on the team in tackles with 92 and adding five sacks, nine tackles for loss, three interceptions, and six pass breakups to his stat line to help LSU hoist the national championship trophy at the end of the season. Along with the national championship, he earned Second Team All-SEC honors and SEC Defensive Player of the Week awards on three separate occasions throughout the 2019 season.

Stevens also had a solid senior season for LSU where he sported the famous No. 7 for the Tigers. And his play led to him being selected with the No. 224 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

He spent a season in Philadelphia before being waived by the team on August 30, 2022. And hopefully, he can use his knowledge from the collegiate and professional level to help lead the Tigers to similar heights that he reached as a player, but now as a member of their coaching staff.

LSU DL coach Jimmy Lindsey to step away from program

LSU defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey is stepping away from the program to deal with a “personal health matter.” There is no timetable on his return.

Tigers head coach Brian Kelly gave a brief comment on the matter:

“Defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey will step away from the LSU Football program as he deals with a personal health matter. In Coach Lindsey’s absence, John Jancek will serve as defensive line coach and Bob Diaco will coach outside linebackers and special teams,” Kelly said, via Jacques Doucet. “Our prayers are with Coach Lindsey and his family, and we ask that their privacy be respected. We look forward to his return to the program.”

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this report