SUBSCRIBE HERE TO GAIN FURTHER ACCESS TO LSUODYSSEY
SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS @ CORDALEMUZIK.COM & EYECONIKBRAND.COM, LOUISIANA'S #1 STOP FOR CHAMPIONSHIP MENTALITY APPAREL
Entering Year III at LSU, versatile DB Javien Toviano has experienced a rollercoaster over his first two campaigns: From next to zero snaps for most of his freshman year to suddenly starting in the biggest games of LSU's 2023 season.....from returning starter with growing pedigree to bizarre legal issues leaving him on the outside looking in for almost all of 2024....from DB room afterthought for most fans or analysts to 1st team safety throughout Spring 2025.
In fact, many including this author, actively expected Toviano to transfer this offseason....after 2 seasons & 26 eligible games, Toviano appeared in just 434 snaps with 4 starts & 19 overall games, burning 2 years of eligibility with very little to show for his efforts & slim opportunities. The high potential defender must've been frustrated....but instead, the safety understood he created his own problems last fall when he was arrested for video voyeurism back in late July 2024, a charge that was later dropped.
So, Javien took the punches on the chin, hung in there, stayed in Baton Rouge for the long haul, and is now in pole position for a big Year III, taking advantage of his reps during Spring.
His film hasn't been perfect, he's given up a few deep shots, missed a couple tackles, while also getting flattened by a running back at one point, however, Toviano has produced more plays than he hasn't, displaying toughness, solid tackling abilities, above average coverage, and he's impressed with how he's absorbed the coaching of Jake Olsen, Corey Raymond and new DB Analyst Lance Guidry.
Another advantage for Toviano?
He holds some big game experience on his LSU resume that positional competitors Dashawn Spears, Joel Rogers, Austin Ausberry, and even highly lauded NC State transfer Tamarcus Cooley do not have:
Forced to watch most of his freshman year on the sidelines, the former Martin High 5 star was merely a talented spectator in 2023 until LSU suffered a rash of injuries at cornerback.
Thrown into the fire for his starting debut on the road @ Tuscaloosa, where he played well against Nick Saban's final Crimson Tide team (7 tackles), Toviano continued his fine form against all odds, racking up 11 tackles, batting down a pass & recovering a fumble in a key win over Florida.
While under the radar for most fans & analysts over his two seasons at LSU, Toviano's production outnumbers his competitors, posting 45 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble recovery, and a forced fumble, allowing 17 catches from 32 targets, 271 total yards given up, and 1 TD charged against him.
If Toviano grabs his opportunities with both hands & improves his reading of the game, alongside Cooley, or Spears, Rogers, Ausberry etc, it'll be game changing for Blake Baker's defense.....finally, after 5 seasons, LSU could possibly see reliable safety play at the backend.....and due to the safety room's lack of depth, Toviano's trajectory is a big piece to the success or failure of that puzzle.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
©️ 2025 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
Comments