NATCHEZ — Former Wilkinson County High School Wildcat Devin Voorhies is going through some changes during his junior season at Louisiana State University.

Voorhies is entering his second season as a linebacker, after switching from safety in 2015. He’s looking to build on the 12 games he saw action in last year, whether it’s on special teams or adding depth in the front-seven.

“It was a big transition at first,” Voorhies said. “I had to get used to being close to the line and blockers getting up on you quicker … I had to get used to using my hands more and striking a lot quicker.”

Another adjustment Voorhies is making is to a new boss overseeing the Tigers defense. LSU hired Dave Aranda at the end of last season and Voorhies said he is optimistic that his new coach’s impact will make the team stronger.

“He’s a wonderful coach,” Voorhies said. “He’s smart, he knows the game of football. He’s going to make us better.”

It seems expectations are always high preseason in the Southeastern Conference, and the Tigers are no exception. LSU received the second most votes to both win the SEC Western Division and win the conference title by the media last week.

Voorhies said if everything goes according to plan, his squad will be in strong position come the end of the season.

“As long as we do what we do and execute,” he said.

The architect of that plan is LSU’s head coach Les Miles, who is entering his 11th year at the helm.

Voorhies said after the potential firing rumors of Miles last the season, the turmoil brough the team and staff closer together.

“That’s our guy,” he said. “We’re going be a family. I feel like it brings us closer. When something like that happens and you work through it together.”

Miles has had his focus on other things recently, as the Tigers head man hasn’t hesitated to make public the anguish he feels over the turmoil and violence in Baton Rouge the last several weeks.

Voorhies, in his third year on the Baton Rouge campus, said the Tigers can’t allow the tragedies outside of the program to affect the way they perform on the field, but emphasized that responding to violence with more violence will only tear communities apart.

“Stuff happens in life, and it’s all about how you take in everything,” Voorhies said. “You can make things worse and make things better. The best thing is to make progress.”

Voorhies said he is looking forward to making the northward trip to Woodville during the football season to catch his alma mater this upcoming season.

“I always go back (to WCHS) when I get the chance,” Voorhies said. “Most of their team came back and has a bunch of talent.”