3 Best Players Remaining on LSU's Roster After Mass NFL Draft Exodus

While the LSU Tigers celebrated a National Championship victory over Clemson, they'll be in for an uphill battle next season. The Tigers had an unprecedented amount of stars declare for the NFL Draft on Tuesday evening: seven, to be exact.

Those voids will make LSU's repeat campaign very challenging in 2020. But even with those players now going pro, the Tigers still have some studs returning for the 2020 season.

Here are three that stand out.

3. S JaCoby Stevens

Safety JaCoby Stevens will return for his senior season. / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

LSU already lost star safety Grant Delpit to the NFL Draft, leaving the team waiting on a decision from JaCoby Stevens. Luckily for them, Stevens announced he'd be returning for his senior campaign down in Baton Rouge. Stevens played in all 15 games for the Tigers this season, during which he recorded 92 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions, and six passes defensed. The former 5-star recruit will help make up for the absence of Delpit in 2020.

2. WR Ja'Marr Chase

Even without Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase will be a huge weapon for LSU next season. / Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images

Head coach Ed Orgeron is losing offensive stars like Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but he still has stud wideout Ja'Marr Chase staying put. This season, Chase put up video game numbers, catching 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. Even without Burrow, Chase will be an immediate weapon for quarterback Myles Brennan (or someone else) in 2020.

1. CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Derek Stingley Jr was the best defensive back on LSU, and he'll be back in 2020. / Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

The Tigers had plenty of players who made an impact in 2020. But nobody stood out more than freshman cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. As a newbie to LSU, Stingley solidified himself as a true shutdown corner in every sense of the definition. Stingley recorded 15 pass breakups and six interceptions, both of which were the most in the SEC. Year One at "Defensive Back University" was a huge success for Stingley. We're excited to see what Year Two will bring.