veteran LSU linebacker with proven production and SEC toughness
In the 2011 season, Ryan Baker was a steady, high-motor LSU linebacker who piled up 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks, finishing his career with 183 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks; he also earned second-team All-SEC honors and a Bednarik Award watch-list nod. He stood out for versatility, leadership, and physical edge—LSU coaches praised the way he took on a larger leadership role, added muscle, and played through a broken jaw in camp, the kind of gritty profile that fits teams needing a dependable tone-setter.
