Brian Kelly and the LSU football program will conclude spring training in preparation for the annual spring game at Tiger Stadium on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. (Connecticut time).
For Tiger fans, this will be an opportunity to check out the differences in the rotation and the growth of young players, but for the coaching staff, this time will be used to monitor competition for positions.
Some position battles that will continue into the summer include the backup quarterback role between Rickey Collins and AJ Swan, and starting cornerback duties.
It's been a busy few weeks for Kelly and his teammates as they navigate an offseason filled with big changes.
Take a peek at the sights, sounds and observations from behind the scenes at LSU Spring Football:
attack
Quarterback trivia
– The retention of Garrett Nussmeier and Josh Williams has been key this offseason as the offense looks to utilize the run game in different ways. We've seen a few different run options with the two veterans clicking during spring ball. Tuesday's final spring practice (Thursday was a walkthrough) saw offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and running backs coach Frank Wilson work together on an offense geared toward the run game. Nussmeier seems to be snappy in position drills and has taken a “lead by example” approach this offseason.
– Ricky Collins and AJ Swann have been competing for the QB2 role this offseason. This isn't a situation where the staff just gives Collins, a second-year Tiger, snaps. He's really developing as a signal caller. Collins has been in the system for a year already, so he has an advantage as of now, but as Swann understands the scheme better, he'll have a better chance of earning the QB2 role. They have continued to split reps throughout camp, and Saturday's spring game will be a big opportunity for both teams. They'll likely get some significant minutes at Tiger Stadium.
running backs
– Josh Williams will be representing the first team during Saturday's spring game, but sources tell LSU Country that this coaching staff does not allow Caleb Jackson to be or will be the leader of this program. He clearly understood. Tiger, who is in his second year, is showing rapid growth and has been a hot topic during camp.
– Jackson looked more comfortable during camp, but it's clear that both comfort and familiarity with the scheme will put him in a good position this season. Not to mention an entire year in college.
– Brian Kelly is confident second-year Tiger Trey Holley will return to the program this offseason while dealing with off-the-field issues. LSU will also add four-star top-100 prospect Kayden Durham to its room. He was offered four scholarships to LSU this fall.
wide receiver
– Kylen Lacy, Chris Hilton and Aaron Anderson took the majority of first-team snaps during camp, but it's tough to get much out of those reps given the depth of the wide receiver room. The Tigers plan to use five or six receivers on Saturdays this fall.
– Wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton will routinely capitalize on embarrassment of riches. Expect Zavion Thomas, CJ Daniels, and Kyle Parker to remain important pieces of the rotation. Daniels, a coveted transfer to Liberty, continues to feel better about the scheme and appears ready to take the next step this offseason based on LSU's game plan.
– Daniels and Mississippi State transfer Zavion Thomas are key components of this offense, and that showed with their significant reps in the final stages of camp. Look for the first-year Tigers to be a game-changer in Baton Rouge this season. Thomas also took first-team reps as a kick returner.
– A lot of people have asked about Shelton Sampson Jr., but he's received better reviews from both players and staff in the last few weeks of camp. Physicality and working on the little things at the line of scrimmage will be important for him this summer, but it's clear he's heading in the right direction.
offensive line
– First-team offensive line: LT Will Campbell, LG Garrett Dellinger, CD DJ Chester, RG Miles Frazier, RT Emery Jones.
– Second Team Offensive Line: LT Tyree Adams (R), LG Paul Mubenga (R), C Cohen Echols (F), RG Christian Stamps (R), RT Beau Bordelon (R) Soph. )
– Tyree Adams and Bo Bordelon have been impressive during camp and have really shined in ball this spring. Both will have the opportunity to learn from an experienced LSU offensive line. This group returns great talent and has young players ready to emerge as key pieces going forward.
– Speaking of young players ready to step up, second-year Tiger DJ Chester will be LSU's starting center and is the only starter not returning from last season. Brian Kelly said during camp that Chester handles himself like a pro and it shows to the best of his ability. LSU fans will get a better feel for his style on Saturday.
defense
defense line
– Jacobean Guillory has become a key piece inside for Bo Davis and his defensive line group. He is the leader of this thin unit and could be selected as a starter this fall. Although interior depth is limited, Guillory is a bright spot. Kimo Makaneole, an offensive lineman turned defensive lineman, was also seen working with the first team during camp.
– Jalen Lee and Makaneole are the other first-team interior slots working alongside Guillory, but the program will add two or three more interior defensive linemen during the spring portal window. It will be interesting to see if both players get reps on Saturday as they aim for big-time snaps this year.
– Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones are still first-team EDGE rushers, and former five-star Dashawn Womack is a step in the right direction. He's also gotten significant snaps, and his improvement has been a topic of discussion throughout camp.
– it is clear. It will be difficult for Womack to stay off the field this season. The coveted prospect is ready to take the next step in 2024. LSU lost Jackson Howard to the NCAA transfer portal this week, making him the first Tiger to leave during the spring period, but there are questions. Relief for LSU's defensive end and EDGE rusher.
– The name to watch will be early enrollee Gabriel Reliford. As one source noted, the youngster is a rising player in the program and has a chance to be competitive this year if he continues to strengthen his body.
linebackers
– Harold Perkins is a player who continues to develop as he transitions into the inside linebacker role at LSU. We've seen what defensive coordinator Blake Baker can do with linebackers given his track record with Butkus Award finalist Damone Clark, but Perkins has a chance to put it all together in his third year with the program. There will be. Perkins has been vocal and persistent during camp and has had a chance to shine this season. He has benefited from a productive camp.
– The same goes for veteran Greg Penn III. He's in control of this locker room and has received rave reviews from his colleagues.
– When talking about LSU's linebacker corps, you have to mention the Weeks Bros. Both Whitt and West have had great performances with the second team, but if LSU moves to a 4-3 format, Whitt is expected to get significant playing time as well as the key goal line position. .
cornerbacks
– Early enrollee PJ Woodland's meteoric rise was the talk of the town after earning first-team internationals opposite Ashton Stamps late in camp. His length and instincts allowed him to skyrocket up the depth chart to earn a starting spot, but with starting cornerback Zai Alexander returning to the mix, fall There will be another battle for the camp. Sources say Alexander is ahead of schedule and should be able to depart early this summer. Keep an eye on Woodland, Alexander, Stamps, and Javien Tobiano as they compete for a starting spot.
– Tobiano took reps with the second team to close out camp. The clear fact here is that this staff is still looking for sustenance for Tobiano. The cornerback-turned-safety staff is still figuring out the best way to utilize Tobiano's talented skill set. Notice how he's all over the place during camp.
– Ohio State transfer pair Jaire Brown and JK Johnson have been practicing regularly, and Johnson's reps have been impressive. He suffered a minor injury during camp, but made a comeback. LSU fans will have a chance to see him work his way up the depth chart on Saturday.
– Second-year Tiger Jeremiah Hughes is still a work in progress with this group. The talent is clearly there, and the former wide receiver, who played cornerback in high school, is still working on his technique. All eyes will be on him during Saturday's scrimmage.
safety
– Let's start with our first observations from spring training: Sage Ryan is here to make a statement during the 2024 season, and his skill set is on full display during camp. He had three interceptions in Saturday's practice two weeks ago and has played the role of a ball hawk throughout camp.
– Jardin Gilbert is a physical specimen. The Texas A&M transfer is a player we might look back on this fall and be grateful the staff secured his services. He has talent and has a chance to make an impact this season. It was a profitable camp for Gilbert.
– Let's talk about Major Burns. The veteran safety is currently playing a star role. It's a hybrid combination of safety and linebacker, and the staff feels they can get a lot of money out of it. It was a positive camp for him, but the fall will be the true indicator of his success.
– True freshman Dashawn McBride is a player LSU is keeping an eye on, and he certainly showed flashes in his first spring training in Baton Rouge. The long, twitchy safety is very impressive and will be hard to keep off the field in Death Valley this season.
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