Last season, the LSU Tigers’ passing game continued to thrive under Brian Kelly, but the running game struggled to get its footing and adjust after Jayden Daniels provided the rushing threat the previous two years.
In 2024, the Tigers’ ground game struggled for the most part as they finished 15th in the conference in rushing yards per carry with 3.6 yards per carry. In order to help increase that number, Brian Kelly hired Florida State offensive coordinator Alex Atkins as its running game coordinator.
What also helps the ground attack is that they return Freshman All-SEC and LSU Freshman of the Year Caden Durham as the leading back. The 5’8, 205 pound Duncanville High School standout broke through and gave the Tigers a spark in the ground game early in the season, especially in a come from behind victory on the road against South Carolina which he ran for two touchdowns. Despite dealing with nagging toe injuries for the majority of the season, Durham still managed to lead the Tigers in rushing yards with 753 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
When healthy, Caden Durham is one of the best running backs not only in the SEC, but in college football. Towards the end of spring, Durham was once again battling ankle injuries so keeping him fresh and healthy for the fall gives the Tigers’ offense its best chance of being effective on the ground.
Durham averaged 11.5 touches per game so that number should be increased this season. However, it is important to establish depth behind him to maintain that ground attack. The other veteran returning in the room is Kaleb Jackson, who decided to not enter the transfer portal and come back for another season in Baton Rouge. After a disappointing sophomore season, Jackson feels that he has rejuvenated his game this spring.
“I am a big back so I wanted to add some muscle and I still had my speed somewhat, but I felt like I lost a step being that heavy. Right now, I am in the process of losing weight, getting back to where I was. I feel like I would have the speed and still the ability to break tackles.”
“What I learned was to be patient and not to be overzealous because last season, I felt like I was telling myself that I am not good enough. Everybody has a time. Maybe my time wasn’t last year. Maybe, it is this year or the year after that, but I felt like if I just kept my head down and kept working, it is going to pay off.”
LSU RB Kaleb Jackson
Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan has liked with what he has seen from his two veteran backs earlier in the spring.
“From the running back standpoint, last year, really only had Kaleb and then Josh was kind of hobbled working through the spring. Now this year, to be able to have Caden, Kaleb, Harlem, I think that group’s been pushing each other, creating competition. I think Kaleb’s had some of his best practices as a Tiger. I think Caden’s been great and working into his second year.”
LSU OC Joe Sloan
The running back room also includes two freshmen that are both highly coveted coming out of high school in Harlem Berry and JT Lindsey. Coming out of St. Martin’s Episcopal, Berry was rated as the number one running back in the country. His home run speed allowed him to win Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year honors and rush for 8,571 yards and 142 touchdowns during his legendary prep career. Berry enrolled in the spring to get an early grasp on the competition, and Coach Sloan was impressed by how he handled the transition from high school to practicing against SEC talent.
“Harlem really started to get comfortable and show flashes. I love what I’m seeing from the different pieces of the group and we’re going to need everybody. We’re going to need everybody to accomplish what we want to accomplish. That’s kind of the mindset. We got to push each other. We got to have competition. We got to create depth and an environment where I’m going to step up when my number’s called.”
LSU OC Joe Sloan
Alexandria four star running back JT Lindsey will throw his hat in the ring during fall camp. He led the Trojans to a state runner-up finish by rushing for 2,500 yards and 33 touchdowns. Also, don’t sleep on former Episcopal running back Reid Chauvin. The walk-on running back has been impressing the coaching staff in the weight room over the summer as the state powerlifting champion is a sleeper to get some playing time as well this offseason.
Under the years of Les Miles, LSU’s running game was at its best with a deep, staple backfield and it looks like those numbers are increasing to look like those running games of old once again.
Make sure to keep posted on our website at www.gridironfootballusa.com for more LSU fall camp coverage!
67
0
24.77k
20
