GLANCE AT 2005: The loss of head coach Nick Saban and key seniors such as defensive end Marcus Spears, linebacker Lionel Turner and cornerbacks Corey Webster and Travis Daniels and center Ben Wilkerson will be hard to replace, but new head coach Les Miles and his coaching staff inherit enough talent, experience and depth to make the Tigers legitimate contenders for the SEC championship in 2005.

PRO POTENTIAL
DE Marcus Spears -- He proved to be among the players who helped themselves at the Senior Bowl, which is especially important because of the depth of talent among defensive ends in this year's draft. With his long arms, his athletic ability, his work ethic and his positive attitude he worked himself into the first round.

CB Travis Daniels -- A solid Senior Bowl week didn't hurt his status, but his lack of top-flight speed will prevent him from being drafted until the later rounds.

CB Corey Webster -- One of the players whose stock dropped the furthest in his senior season, due in part to nagging injuries. He continued to struggled at the Senior Bowl as well, especially when coaches moved fast and he didn't always keep up. Still, he has enough potential to work his way into the early second round if he can get healthy and be at his best during the combine and private workouts.

C Ben Wilkerson -- Entered the season as one of the nation's top centers but saw his status drop when he suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the season. He remains one of the best center prospects in the draft, but between the fact that centers rarely go high in the draft and teams will want to follow his rehab closely, he may have to wait until the third round before someone gives him a chance.

LB Lionel Turner -- Strong and tough, but appears to the lack the kind of size NFL scouts look for in the first four or five rounds.

ROSTER REPORT
After an outstanding season as a punt returner in 2003 Skyler Green entered the season as LSU's most experienced receiver, but a nagging ankle injury took several weeks to heal and prevented Green from being at his best, as both a returner and receiver. True freshman WR Xavier Carter emerged as a regular member of the playing rotation but missed the final three games of the regular season with a broken collarbone. LSU needs both players to be ready to go when spring practice starts.

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