Best Players of the Les Miles Era #10: LaRon Landry

LaRon Landry came to LSU as a 6'2", 180 lb. safety barely ranked in the top 100 of his recruiting class. By the time he left, he was the closest resemblance to football's version of The Hulk and a 2006 AP All-American. Yes, his whole time at LSU was not under Les Miles, but it was his junior and senior seasons that he made a name for himself and would help make Miles' transition to SEC football a lot smoother.

His numbers speak for themselves. Landry's 315 tackles in 52 games ranks seventh most in LSU history; his 12 interceptions tie for third; his 40 passes defensed rank second only behind Corey Webster, and he became only the second player to lead the LSU defense in tackles in three seasons, joining Shawn Burks in that category. However, when it comes to Landry, his stats weren't the only thing that mattered.

Landry was looking to hit you, and he was looking to hit you HARD. Just go ask Brodie Croyle or John Parker Wilson or the many other players that had a cross hair put on them. There was an intimidation factor that came with Landry every game, that thought in the back of your head that said "Where is that No. 30 at on the field?" While others followed in his footsteps that hit the right analog stick on their video game controller like Chad Jones and Craig Loston, Landry was the second Intimidator at LSU (only behind the one just outside of right field at Alex Box Stadium).

When you see the number of successful defensive backs that have come through LSU in the past 10 years, Landry made his mark as one of the most exciting defensive players to watch on the field. His combination of speed and sheer hitting power made him a spark plug on every play, and the reason why he just makes it into our top 10.