• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Aug 21, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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As far as the handful of players trying to nail down starting jobs in the LSU secondary are concerned, the battle for playing time began after the Tigers’ 38-24 win over Ohio State Jan. 7.

The competition took on another layer when a talented freshman class arrived on campus in June.

Now it appears the derby for playing time at two of the most vital spots on the LSU defense could go on all season.

And that’s fine with the players, some of whose names are still somewhat of a mystery to Tigers fans.

“To tell you the truth, before the young guys got here and started pushing us like they have, I told myself I was next in line and was settling for just being second team,” redshirt freshman Ron Brooks said. “These young guys are a lot better than I expected, and they’re not only pushing me to keep my spot, they’re motivating me to try to get on the field as a starter.”

Motivation comes in different forms and at levels for the six cornerbacks jockeying for time.

Jai Eugene and Chris Hawkins are the only two who have stepped on the field at the collegiate level. Brooks and Phelon Jones are redshirt freshmen, while true freshmen Patrick Peterson and Brandon Taylor are also in the mix.

All come with strong credentials.

Brooks was ranked by Rivals.com as the 15th best athlete in the country in the Class of 2007 after playing quarterback, receiver, punt returner and defensive back at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas.

Jones was also a top-10 recruit from the Mobile, Ala., area, while Hawkins, Eugene and Taylor were regarded as top prospects in Louisiana in their recruiting classes.

Peterson was one of the jewels of LSU’s 2008 class. He was rated by Rivals as the No. 1 incoming freshman cornerback in the country, the No. 1 player from talent-laden Florida and a top-five national recruit.

This pool of talent has contributed to a spirited battle, and with nine days before the season opener, spots on the depth chart are still up for grabs.

“Any time you’ve got competition, it forces everyone to get better,” LSU co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Doug Mallory said. “All six of these guys have that hunger and drive to compete for a starting position. Right now there are no clear-cut starters, and as long it’s like that, these guys are going to keep working hard.”