Ole Miss defender Ladarius Tennison discusses the matchup with LSU and ‘electrifying’ Tiger QB Jayden Daniels
OXFORD, Miss. — After facing dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe last week, Ole Miss will face arguably an even more dynamic gun-slinger Saturday in Jayden Daniels of the LSU Tigers.
Ladarius Tennison is one of the Rebel defenders who was used as a spy on Milroe last week, and he says Daniels presents an even more significant challenge for the Rebel defense.
“I would say the guy (Daniels) that we are playing this week is more electrifying, more shifty, the same speed as the quarterback that we played last week, but we just are going to have to work on our tackling this week for sure, break it down and be able to contain him.“
Ladarius Tennison
Ladarious left Tuscaloosa with three tackles and a sack, and was used in several different ways to contribute. He has previously been listed as a safety, but defensive coordinator Pete Golding has used him as an outside linebacker countless times this season, more frequently against Alabama.
For Ladarious, this has allowed him to showcase a diverse skill set.
“Just being able to move around, showing value to what I can do, being able to fit in the box for my size, and being able to cover plays, it shows my value. It shows I can do a little bit of everything.“
Ladarius Tennison
When Tennison spoke of his prior experience against LSU, he made it crystal clear how much respect he has for Daniels — especially after the Tigers’ quarterback rushed for 121 yards in a 45-20 whipping of the Rebs in 2022.
“He was shifty… he was very slippery. He could throw the ball well, being in the pocket, he could run it, so being in a different defense we are just going to have to contain him.”
Tennison on Daniels
Luckily in 2023, Daniels is averaging roughly 11 carries per game for only 48 yards. Additionally, Milroe rushed 16 times against Ole Miss and only picked up 28 rushing yards, credit to the spy job of Tennison and freshman Suntarine Perkins.
Heading into Saturday, Tennison says a point of emphasis in this week’s practices has been improving tackling and avoiding missed tackles.
“It really comes down to mindset. Form tackling, getting more turnovers, trying to punch the ball out, wrapping up, just doing a lot of things with tackling drills,” Tennison said on the defense’s focus.
You can watch Ladarius and the Rebels against LSU Saturday at Vaught-Heminway. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPN.
