In a crucial second year, LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker plans more “knock-back and havoc.”

In college football, defense is often seen as the backbone of a championship-caliber team, and for LSU, a program with a storied history of defensive excellence, the expectations are always high. When Blake Baker was hired as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2023, he inherited a defense with considerable potential, but one that needed refinement and a clear identity. Now entering his second season, Baker has a much better understanding of his personnel and is focused on improving the defense with a clear vision: to create “knock-back and havoc.”

Baker’s defensive philosophy revolves around aggression, creating disruption, and forcing offenses into mistakes. After spending several years at Miami as a defensive coordinator and assistant coach, Baker brought a fresh approach to Baton Rouge, aiming to inject energy and chaos into the Tigers’ defense. In 2024, his challenge is to continue building on the foundation laid in his first season, take full advantage of the talent on hand, and make LSU’s defense a dominant force in the SEC.

This article explores Blake Baker’s goals for his second season as LSU’s defensive coordinator, the strategies and techniques he plans to implement, and how he intends to get more out of his defense in 2024.

A Year of Adjustment: Reflecting on the First Season

Blake Baker’s first year as LSU’s defensive coordinator came with its fair share of challenges, but also significant promise. The Tigers showed flashes of brilliance on defense, but inconsistency, particularly in key moments, prevented them from reaching their full potential. However, Baker’s first year was also marked by notable successes, such as a strong defensive front, the emergence of key players, and the improvement of the unit’s overall discipline.

Reflecting on the 2023 season, Baker acknowledged the growing pains that come with installing a new defensive scheme. He noted that one of the challenges for any first-year coordinator is developing chemistry with the players and ensuring they understand the defensive system inside and out. LSU’s defense in 2023 showed significant improvement in several areas, but there were also moments when they allowed explosive plays, struggled with tackling consistency, and lacked the aggressive mindset Baker was aiming for.

“There were certainly some ups and downs in Year 1,” Baker said. “But overall, I think we laid a good foundation. The players bought in, and we started to see the type of aggressive defense we want to be. Now, in Year 2, we’re focused on building on that foundation, tightening up the details, and really taking the next step.”

Baker’s emphasis on discipline and understanding the defensive scheme will be crucial in Year 2, but the main focus will be to inject more physicality and chaos into the defense, particularly with an emphasis on creating more negative plays—tackles for loss, sacks, and turnovers. This aggressive mindset is what Baker refers to as “knock-back and havoc.”

“Knock-Back and Havoc”: A More Aggressive Defensive Identity

Blake Baker’s defensive philosophy is centered on creating havoc. The idea is simple: disrupt the opposing offense by forcing them to play at a tempo they aren’t comfortable with, make plays behind the line of scrimmage, and constantly be a step ahead. The goal is to overwhelm offensive lines, confuse quarterbacks, and never let the offense get comfortable.

1. Aggressive Front Seven

One of the core principles of Baker’s defense is his aggressive front seven. LSU’s defensive line has always been a strength, and under Baker, it has become a focal point of the defense. In his second season, Baker plans to be even more aggressive with his front, encouraging his defensive linemen to disrupt the quarterback and running backs early and often.

“We want to put pressure on the quarterback every play,” Baker explained. “It’s not just about getting sacks; it’s about creating disruption. We want to get in the quarterback’s face and make him uncomfortable. Whether it’s through the pass rush or run-stopping, our defensive line is going to set the tone.”

The defensive line’s role in Baker’s defense is essential to generating havoc. By collapsing the pocket, setting the edge in the running game, and forcing the quarterback to make quick decisions, LSU’s front seven can dictate the flow of the game. Players like Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo, both of whom have shown flashes of brilliance, are expected to take on a more prominent role in 2024.

Additionally, LSU’s linebackers will be heavily involved in creating havoc. With players like Harold Perkins, who had a standout freshman season in 2023, Baker has the luxury of versatile linebackers who can rush the passer, play in coverage, and make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. These linebackers will be tasked with being disruptive in every aspect of the game.

“Harold Perkins is a game-changer,” Baker said. “He’s a guy who can do it all. We’ll be moving him around to maximize his skill set and put him in positions to affect the game. He’s a dynamic player, and we plan to use him as a chess piece in our defensive scheme.”

Perkins’ ability to create chaos with his speed and athleticism is central to the havoc Baker wants to bring to the defense. Whether it’s blitzing from the edge, attacking the quarterback, or being a ball-hawking linebacker, Perkins represents the type of player who thrives in a defense that prioritizes disruption and aggression.

2. Secondary Focus: Creating Turnovers

While the defensive line and linebackers are crucial to generating havoc, the secondary also has a major role to play in Baker’s defensive system. In 2023, LSU’s secondary showed flashes of brilliance but also had moments of inconsistency. To take the next step, Baker wants his cornerbacks and safeties to be more aggressive in both coverage and pursuit of turnovers.

“Turnovers are the ultimate goal,” Baker said. “We want to take the ball away from offenses as much as possible. Whether it’s through interceptions or forced fumbles, creating turnovers is going to be a huge part of our defense in 2024.”

LSU’s defensive backs, including veteran players like Jarrick Bernard-Converse and promising underclassmen, will be given more freedom to take risks and jump routes. While this could lead to occasional missteps, the overall goal is to force offenses to play at a faster pace, take more chances, and ultimately turn the ball over.

Baker emphasized that he wants his players to embrace the idea of making plays. It’s not enough to just cover receivers and defend the run; LSU’s defensive backs must be ball hawks. A key component of creating havoc is knowing when to take calculated risks and when to play within the system.

“I want to see our secondary be aggressive,” Baker said. “When the ball’s in the air, I want our guys to attack it. Whether it’s a pick or a pass break-up, we need to make plays on the ball and give our offense more opportunities.”

3. More Blitzing, More Pressure

In 2023, Baker showed he wasn’t afraid to dial up blitzes, but in 2024, he’s looking to implement more exotic pressure packages and be even more creative with his blitzes. The goal is to keep the quarterback guessing, never knowing when or where the pressure will come from. Whether it’s bringing a linebacker, a cornerback, or even a safety on a blitz, the element of surprise is essential.

“We’re going to be sending pressure from all over the field,” Baker said. “Our goal is to keep the quarterback off balance and disrupt his timing. We’re going to make them uncomfortable and force them into mistakes.”

LSU’s defensive front, combined with the speed of its linebackers and defensive backs, will give Baker the flexibility to implement these pressure packages. Whether it’s stunts, twists, or overload blitzes, the goal is to keep the offense on its toes and force hurried decisions, leading to sacks, interceptions, and turnovers.

4. Depth and Rotational Play

Another critical aspect of LSU’s defensive success in 2024 will be the ability to rotate players in and out of the game to keep fresh legs on the field. This is especially important in the SEC, where offenses can exploit tired defenses. Baker plans to utilize his depth, particularly along the defensive line and in the linebacker corps, to maintain a high level of intensity throughout the game.

“Depth is key,” Baker explained. “We’re going to rotate players to make sure we’re always fresh and aggressive. The more guys we can have on the field who can make an impact, the better we’ll be as a defense.”

By rotating players, Baker ensures that his defensive unit can maintain a high level of intensity and pressure throughout the game. This is crucial in the fourth quarter, when teams are often vulnerable to fatigue. Fresh players will be able to create more disruption, allowing LSU to close out games and continue to create havoc late in contests.