Blake Baker stepped to the podium this week for his first extended media session in nearly a year and laid out a clear to-do list for LSU’s defense as fall camp progresses.
He emphasized a renewed focus on forcing turnovers, tightening edge pressure and sharpening depth work as the Tigers build toward the season opener against Clemson, with the reporting drawn directly from the original coverage found at LSU Tigers On SI.
Key Takeaways
- Blake Baker stressed that improving the pass rush and coverage relationship is central to creating more turnovers and better defensive results.
- LSU recorded four interceptions last season that were ended short by opposing quarterbacks, and the staff is coaching punches and strips more aggressively to improve fumble recoveries.
- Baker highlighted newcomers Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross while praising the development and depth provided by Dylan Carpenter, Lamar Brown and Kolaj Cobbins.
- Freshmen up front are installing first- and second-team reps quickly, and Baker credits camp tempo for testing the defense’s mental toughness.
Blake Baker on turnovers and pass rush
Baker was candid about plays the unit left on the field a year ago and framed turnovers as a key area for measurable improvement.
He noted that four interceptions last season ended with the LSU defender being tackled by the opposing quarterback before reaching the end zone, a detail the staff has targeted in drills this fall.
Fumble recoveries were another sore spot; Baker said the Tigers collected only four or five recoveries in 2025 and that coaches have ramped up instruction on punches and strips to change that outcome.
He described the pass rush and coverage as interdependent, arguing that cleaner edge pressure typically produces more interception opportunities while also acknowledging some picks are simply the result of quarterbacks making poor decisions under duress.
Edge depth and freshman installs
On the edge, Baker singled out the steady growth of newcomers Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross since spring work, calling their progress meaningful for the rotation.
Baker spoke especially highly of Dylan Carpenter’s development from his freshman season to the present and listed Lamar Brown and Kolaj Cobbins as complementary pieces who add explosiveness and depth to the room.
Up front, Baker said freshmen Deuce Geralds, Richard Anderson and Lamar Brown have handled first- and second-team installs faster than many groups he has coached, even as they work through typical rookie growing pains.
The emphasis on quick installs ties directly to camp tempo; Baker credited practice urgency for forcing mental reps and improving situational processing among younger linemen.
Linebacker and safety development
The linebacker room received a notable boost from transfer TJ Dottery, who Baker praised for his work ethic and ability to assimilate the playbook alongside Whit Weeks.
Baker identified safety depth as an area of concern entering camp and pointed to Jhase Thomas as one of the pleasant surprises so far, while noting steady progress from Tamarcus Cooley, Ty Benefield and other young defensive backs.
He credited safeties coach Jake Olsen for much of the positional development and said the staff’s attention to technique and situational awareness is designed to shore up depth throughout the season.
2025 defensive snapshot and camp focus
| Area | Verified 2025 Result and Camp Priority |
|---|---|
| Scoring defense | Ranked inside the top 25 nationally; camp priority is to climb further |
| Total yards allowed | Finished just outside the top 25; emphasis on tightening situational yards allowed |
| Interceptions | Four interceptions in 2025, several ended short by QB tackles; staff drilling ball skills and hands |
| Fumble recoveries | Recorded four or five recoveries in 2025; coaches are coaching punches and strips more aggressively |
How Baker’s defense shapes LSU’s Clemson opener and CFP path
Baker framed fall camp work as identity building, with turnover creation and consistent edge pressure listed as the practical steps toward a cleaner defensive profile against high-caliber opponents like Clemson.
Improved ball security plays and a deeper, more explosive edge rotation would not only alter game plans for the season opener but also influence LSU’s ability to compete in the SEC and pursue College Football Playoff positioning.
The linked original report underpins these evaluations, and the details above reflect the coach’s assessment of progress and priorities as LSU finalizes its roster construction and defensive approach for the season.
