Profiling the LSU All-Star Game Participants

Several Tigers have one more chance to showcase their abilities before the draft, so today we’re profiling the LSU all-star game participants. The roster selection provides good reason for Tiger fans to tune in to both the East-West Shrine Bowl on January 30th and the Senior Bowl on February 1st. LSU has nine total players in the post-season all-star games. Though their draft projections vary, each player has made significant contributions to LSU’s program.

LSU in the All-Star Games

East-West Shrine Bowl

Josh Williams – Running Back

It’s only right to start with Josh Williams, the consummate team player. Williams started his LSU career as a walk-on but worked his way into becoming LSU’s most dependable running back. His north/south running style and enthusiasm for blocking gave the staff confidence in his presence in critical spots.

Williams was second on the team in rushing in 2024, approaching 500 rushing yards on the year. In somewhat of a surprise, he was fifth in receptions. His 31 catches were quite the achievement considering the depth of the LSU receiving room.

At 5’9”, Williams doesn’t have elite size or speed. But he finishes runs, blocks well, and he’s a good receiver out of the backfield. Those traits along with character off the field will give him a solid chance to make an NFL team.

Zy Alexander – Cornerback

Alexander has a history of beating the odds. Coming out of tiny Loreauville, LA, Alexander was not heavily recruited. He excelled at Southeastern University and transferred to LSU as a junior. The lengthy corner was thrown into a historically bad LSU defense in 2023 but adjusted well to SEC competition.

As a senior, Alexander was easily LSU’s best cornerback. His two interceptions aren’t eye-popping, but that’s because quarterbacks usually avoid him. In over 300 coverage snaps in 2024, Alexander allowed only 20 catches.

He showed up big against the best competition, as PFF graded him overall at 88.6 against Ole Miss. A solid all-star week combined with verifying his speed at the combine could push him into the second round of the draft.

Greg Penn – Inside Linebacker

On the field, Penn was the LSU defense’s version of Williams – dependable. The Maryland native chose LSU over a lengthy list of contenders and became a three-year starter for the Tigers.

The quarterback of the defense finished with 86 total tackles and five tackles for loss in 2024. He showed his toughness by playing multiple games at one of the most physically demanding positions on the field with broken ribs. Penn lacks ideal twitch at the position, but his size and football IQ could make him a mid-round pick in a few months.

Bradyn Swinson – Edge

Swinson scratched the surface of his potential at LSU in 2023 before bursting onto the scene in 2024 as a pass-rushing menace. The SEC named Swinson its Defensive Lineman of the Week multiple times on his way to leading LSU in tackles for loss, sacks, and hurries.

The Oregon transfer has an incredibly explosive first step, but he’s not a liability against the run. His motor is unquestioned and resulted in several tackles from behind to save big gains. Swinson’s ability in space makes him an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker, and he’s highly unlikely to remain on the board past the second round.

Senior Bowl

Mason Taylor – Tight End

Taylor, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, is the most productive tight end in LSU’s history. It didn’t take long for him to make his mark at LSU. Taylor had 38 catches as a true freshman and an unforgettable game-winning two-point conversion against Alabama.

Taylor was not only a safety-blanket check down for LSU quarterbacks but also a go-to guy in the clutch. Over half of his career catches went for first downs. His speed is adequate, but his hands and zone recognition are elite. Taylor has a chance to go as high as the second round.

Garrett Dellinger – Guard

Dellinger is one of four LSU offensive linemen who hope to be drafted in April. The Michigan native has garnered starts since his freshman year, becoming a permanent starter at left guard in his third season. He combined with left tackle Will Campbell to create an almost impenetrable duo on Garrett Nussmeier’s blind side.

The versatile lineman has started at both guard spots as well as center in his LSU career. His wealth of experience helps in his ability to identify stunts along the defensive line, and his upper body strength is above average. Dellinger will need to prove he has the feet to defend the more talented pass rushing defensive tackles of the NFL.

Miles Frazier – Guard

Frazier came to LSU after an impressive start to his career at Florida International. He’s been a stalwart at right guard for the Tigers but has started at both guard spots and right tackle. His reliability was evident in allowing only three sacks in over 500 pass-blocking snaps in 2024.

Slightly bigger than his counterpart on the left side, Frazier showed the ability to maul defenders at times in the run game. He’ll need to be more consistent in that regard, but he has enough traits to become a late-round pick.

Emery Jones – Right Tackle

Jones has been an impact player since he stepped on the LSU campus. He made the Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC team at right tackle and never relinquished that starting position. He and Campbell were bookends at right and left tackle as freshmen, a first at LSU.

Playing against elite competition, the three-year starter allowed one sack in 2024. Jones has a basketball background that shows up in his balance and lateral movement. He allowed more hurries as a junior than a sophomore, but the style and growth of the quarterback contributed to that number. Jones has the prototypical size for the position and is battle-tested. The talented junior won’t last past the top two rounds.

Saivion Jones – Edge

Jones has filled out his 6’-6” frame in his time at LSU to become a versatile, 280-pound anchor on the edge of the defensive line. Often overshadowed by Swinson’s speed off the edge, Jones was impressive in his own right when it mattered the most. His eight tackles for loss were third on the team and 4.5 sacks were second in 2024.

The size is great, but the technique is better. Jones has violent hands at the point of attack and shows the ability to fend off linemen while setting the edge against the run. He’ll need to add to his pass rush repertoire, but the tools are there. We expect Jones to go on the second day of the draft.