Although there will be a pair of new starters at linebacker, two at cornerback and one at safety, all of them have seen playing time and were ready to compete for starting roles, coaches said.

Peveto called his current linebackers "as talented of a group as we've had."

Senior Darry Beckwith is the only returning starter. He'll be joined by sophomore Kelvin Sheppard and junior Perry Riley, while junior Jacob Cutrera, who saw a lot of action last season, will rotate in regularly.

At cornerback, junior Chris Hawkins and sophomore Jai Eugene are expected to step in, with either Chad Jones, Danny McCray or Harry Coleman joining returning starter Curtis Taylor.

On offense, whoever wins the quarterback job will have plenty of help. A corps of big-play receivers return in Demetrius Byrd, Brandon LaFell and Terrance Toliver. Richard Dickson may be the best receiving tight end in the SEC.

In the running game, LSU has lost Jacob Hester to the NFL, but still has four regulars in Richard Murphy, Charles Scott, Keiland Williams and small but blazing fast Trindon Holliday, who also returns kicks.

With so much talent returning, Miles expects his new quarterback to do nothing more than master the fundamentals and limit mistakes. No need for the quarterback to try to be a star here.

"Anytime you bring a new starter to the mix, it's imperative that the strength of the offense help that quarterback," Miles said. "One of the strengths certainly is the offensive line. I like the idea that the running backs are veteran, the tight end is veteran, the full back, and the receivers are veteran.

"If you want to look at it, I think it's probably a great position for a newcomer at quarterback to get comfortable and understand that the guys that are around him are all capable."

Capable enough, certainly to have earned the national championship rings they were given during the offseason.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Get ready for mass exodus Trash Talk: SEC not all it’s cracked up to be Predictions 101: Ohio State to roll, N.D. to win squeaker Opinion: 10 bowl matchups that would be a treat Bowl Projections: Big Ten blows BCS spot CFT: ‘Worst of the Weak’ — Michigan back at No. 1 CFT: ‘By the numbers’ — McCoy goes for record From Big 12 snub to possible BCS for TCU Idaho AD refuses to board Boise St.-themed plane SEC's season one of contenders and complaints College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: