INDIANAPOLIS — LSU is turning out top-notch defensive backs at a startling pace, a trend not lost on Morris Claiborne, who’s widely considered the top cornerback in this year’s draft class.

Morris Clairborne could be the next big thing out of LSU. (Derick Hingle/US Presswire)

One year ago, it was former LSU corner Patrick Peterson who rocked the NFL Scouting Combine. Now a star with the Cardinals, Peterson dropped some wisdom on Claiborne about how to handle this week.

“I talked to him before I came up here, before I flew in, and his advice was just, ‘Go up and take over,’ ” Claiborne told reporters Sunday.

Claiborne, who started his college career as a wide receiver, said his game differs from Peterson’s in the sense that he’s “more of a technician,” but let’s face it — something’s in the water down in Baton Rouge. That something’s turning defensive backs into supermen, just one of the reasons LSU has earned the nickname “DB U.”

“When we started having DBs just coming out and playing unbelievable, from the young guys to the older, and we just started calling ourselves that,” Claiborne said. “Patrick gave us the name, and we just kept it going.”

– Marc Sessler

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