Sophomore safety Sam Gibson and redshirt freshman cornerback David Jenkins have both left the program, LSU sports information confirmed in an e-mail Tuesday. It did not specify where the two players will transfer.
Gibson, a native of Prattville, Ala., played in five games as a redshirt freshman in 2011, making three total tackles. Jenkins, a native of Jena, La., who graduated from high school in Carrolton, Texas, did not play in the 2011 season.
Both saw their chances of more playing time diminish in the spring. Craig Loston emerged as a starting safety, replacing the departed Brandon Taylor, and up-and-comers Micah Eugene and Ronald Martin appeared to be the first safeties off the bench behind Loston and returning starter Eric Reid.
David Jenkins played his high school football at Hebron HS in Lewisville, TX after moving in with his uncle Dallas Cowboys DT Jason Hatcher. A talented corner, Jenkins finished the spring behind redshirt freshman Jalen Collins, who latched onto the all-important third cornerback spot behind starters Tyrann Mathieu and Tharold Simon. The third corner tends to see a lot of playing time for LSU as Mathieu is often used as a nickel back.
LSU has lost three defensive backs since the completion of spring practice. Ronnie Vinson, who played a reserve role as both a cornerback and safety at LSU, transferred to Tennessee State in May.
DBU luckily has plenty of talent, but losing 3 players of this caliber would hurt any program.
