Geaux247: 3 for '12

LSU is a little more than a month away from reporting for fall camp, and Geaux247 continues to take a look at the 2012 Tigers.

Chris Faulk is one of the top tackles in the country

In this new segment to Geaux247, we will break down three players a day, where we tell you what we saw in 2011, what we expect to see in 2012, and more.

Working in alphabetical order down the 85-man roster, today we take a look at Fehoko Fanaika, Chris Faulk and Ronnie Feist.

Next up: Reid Ferguson, Ego Ferguson and Jarrett Fobbs

60 – Fehoko Fanaika – OL – 6-6/340 – Jr. – College of San Mateo

What we saw in 2011: On tape, Fanaika was a dominant run blocker on the Juco level and helped pave the way for an offense that averaged more than 300 yards rushing a game.

What we expect to see in 2012: If Fanaika had made it in at the beginning of June then he could have possibly earned a spot on the two-deep inside at guard. He still hasn’t reported due to summer coursework that he has to complete, but the staff is expecting him to be there in August. If he does make it in he is likely headed for a redshirt which would still give him two years to play for the Tigers.

76 – Chris Faulk – OT – 6-6/325 – Jr. – Slidell (La.) Northshore HS

Early on at LSU: After redshirting as a true freshman, Faulk played in 11 games in 2010 and started two at right tackle. He really came on late in the year and posted seven knockdowns in three straight games to end the regular season. Faulk finished the year with 26 total knockdowns.

Feist has a chance to play early at LSU

What we saw in 2011: Faulk started 13 games at left tackle and finished third on the team with 73.5 knockdowns, trailing only Will Blackwell (112.5) and T-Bob Hebert (80). His feet have gotten better each year he has been at LSU and he is considered by a couple of scouts we’ve spoken with to be one of the top three junior tackles that could be available for the NFL draft next April.

What we expect to see in 2012: All-America honors could be in line for Faulk if he performs as well as he did last season. Lindy’s and Athlon’s tabbed him as a second-team All-America selection, and more honors will come his way in the coming weeks.

Faulk is so physical and powerful, and he plays with a mean streak that is completely different than how he is off the field. He and Alex Hurst are as good of a tackle tandem as you will find in 2012.

22 – Ronnie Feist – LB – 6-2/225 – Fr. – Edgard (La.) Edna West St. John HS

What we saw in 2011: Feist had 13 sacks as a senior at West St. John and he got his college career off to an early start by enrolling at LSU in January. He had a solid spring for the Tigers and capped it off with seven tackles and a team-high 1.5 tackles for loss for the Purple squad in the spring game.

What we expect to see in 2012: Feist is ahead of the other freshman linebackers that LSU signed. Part of the reason is he took part in spring ball, but the other part of the equation is Feist is so good at filling the hole and stopping the run.

He played more of a defensive end in high school up until his senior year at West St. John and he didn’t even play linebacker the entire year in 2011. Once John Chavis teaches him proper technique and he gets more comfortable making his drops and reads the sky is the limit.

After the spring the staff felt it was going to be hard to keep Feist off the field in 2012. He has had a very good summer in workouts according to those close to the situation that will make it even harder.

Past Features
Tyler Edwards, Lavar Edwards and Micah Eugene

Travin Dural, Josh Dworaczyk and Derek Edinburgh

Travis Dickson, Josh Downs and Rockey Duplessis

La’el Collins, J.C. Copeland and Chris Davenport

Kadron Boone, Chase Clement and Jalen Collins

Lamin Barrow, Odell Beckham, Jr. and Alfred Blue

Drew Alleman, Jordan Allen and Jonah Austin

Chancey Aghayere, Vadal Alexander and Kwon Alexander