By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Five returning LSU Tigers ready to step up and step into starring roles.

After having nine players selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, including a record six defensive players in the first two rounds, LSU could have a dozen more selections this May. A staggering total of 17 underclassmen have now left the Tigers in pursuit of the professional ranks the past two years. Such turnover presents an interesting question: who is left? Below are five veteran players ready to lead LSU as the programs looks for a fifth-straight double-digit win season.

1. La’el Collins, OT
A versatile talent at 6’5”, 315 pounds, Collins will lead one of college football’s premier offensive lines. He played guard as a freshman and sophomore before sliding over to tackle last fall and earned second-team All-SEC honors from the league coaches. Collins, an All-American candidate as a senior, is a punishing blocker at the point of attack who helped the Tigers set a school record with 37 rushing touchdowns a year ago.

2. Jalen Mills, S
Mills is a versatile former cornerback who has now settled in at safety. A former Freshman All-American, he finished third on the team in tackles from his secondary position last season. Athletic and instinctive, Mills had a key fourth quarter interception in LSU’s September victory over national runner-up Auburn. He has the potential to be one of the best defensive backs in the country.

3. Terrence Magee, RB
Though built like a powerful downhill runner at 5’9”, 215 pounds, Magee is a dynamic offensive option. He played quarterback in high school, spent time at wide receiver in 2012 and was the team’s second-leading rusher with 628 yards and eight touchdowns a season ago. Magee had 100-yard rushing efforts against Kent State, Furman and Texas A&M and gives the Tigers an offensive centerpiece.

4. Jermauria Rasco, DE
After four sacks as a junior, Rasco appears ready to burst onto the national scene. He finished last year with considerable momentum, sacking Alabama’s A.J. McCarron, Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel and recording a career-high seven tackles against Arkansas to end the regular season. Rasco also compiled five pass deflections. Scout.com listed Rasco as a five-star recruit back in 2010.

5. Vadal Alexander, OT
Alexander is one of the most physically imposing linemen in the nation at 6’6”, 342 pounds. The Georgia-native played extremely well in LSU’s Outback Bowl victory over Iowa. After earning national acclaim as a freshman in 2012, Alexander appears poised for a banner junior year. He teams with fellow tackle La’el Collins to form a dominant tackle tandem.