After a couple of days off for the media, we returned to practice this morning in what was another sizzling day at the Ponderosa with a lot of company present as it was Family Day at LSU and many parents showed up to watch their kids practice. They were able to be rewarded with a good show.
The biggest news of the day was that Tyree Adams was getting first team reps at guard and Garrett Dellinger was getting first team reps at center. This was certainly an interesting turn of events in practice especially when it was realized that DJ Chester, who was getting first team reps at center for most of spring and fall practice, was unavailable for practice today. LSU head coach Brian Kelly met with the media and said that there was a bug going around the facility and Chester was one of the players that was heavily affected by it.
Tyree Adams has looked good at times sliding in at guard, but Kelly wants to see more consistency when he is out there.
“He did some good things and we are bouncing him around. He is playing tackle and guard. We like his athleticism and we like him at a developmental role where he is probably the next guy. He just needs to be more consistent. He is going to flash, but we want him to be more consistent.”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly
Other injury updates include Jelani Watkins, who was sidelined with a sprained foot and ankle. He is on the sidelines in a boot with crutches. Jacobian Guillory was also a full participant and looks like he is back to normal.
Chris Hilton Jr. also suffered a minor leg injury during 7v7s and they sideline him for the rest of practice as a precaution, but he is good to go.
Speaking of looking good, the LSU tight ends continue to look good as obviously Mason Taylor is leading the way, but Ka’Morreun Pimpton and Trey’Dez Green continue to make plays. Pimpton caught a touchdown in the red zone period while Green made a catch over PJ Woodland in the back of the end zone on a threw from Rickie Collins. Kelly obviously loves what both tight ends bring to the table and how they have developed over the course of camp.
“You will see 12 personnel. You will see 13 personnel. Just watching the scrimmage passively, you can’t hope but notice 88 and 14. We know about Mason, but those two guys really show. They are young. Trey’Dez was standing around the pile and got rolled up. You can’t be standing around the pile and they are learning, but they are so talented. Pimpton has taken that next step where he is sticking his nose there run blocking and catching the ball. I see Trey’Dez making progress as well. Who wouldn’t be excited about those two guys?”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly
The 11v11 portion focused heavily in the red zone with Kaleb Jackson carrying defenders into the end zone along with Zavion Thomas and John Emery also finding their way into the end zone. Kyren Lacy continues to look strong and was able to catch a touchdown during 11v11.
CJ Daniels and Kyle Parker also had great days today in the receiving game and will definitely be factored in for targets this year.
The defense has been very aggressive especially during 11v11 and have blitzed from a number of different ways and from different players. While Harold Perkins and Major Burns have proved to be disruptive off the edge, Kylin Jackson has also been very disruptive and today his pass rush forced a toe tapping interception from PJ Woodland.
JK Johnson also got an interception today with the second unit as he picked off Colin Hurley in the red zone.
The defensive line has looked good at times as well with Dashawn Womack getting a tackle for loss and Bradyn Swinson beating out Emery Jones off the edge for a sack. Another player that might play a factor on the interior is freshman Ahmad Breaux. The former Ruston Bearcat has gained over 40 pounds since arriving in Baton Rouge.
Overall, the defense has not only been aggressive in their play calls, but this is the first time in a while where the guys are playing loose and free. There were a couple of big collisions towards the end of practice as JK Johnson had a big hit on Zavion Thomas and Harold Perkins made a big hit on Kyren Lacy.
With preparation coming closer for the season opener against USC in which the Tigers will be starting that process Tuesday, Coach Kelly gave his overall thoughts on how the team has grown from the first fall practice to now with just only a week remaining.
“I like the way the corners have held up on the outside. Anytime you go into the year, you want to eliminate the big plays and we have eliminated those big chunk plays. That was job one. For me as we continue to progress, we have to clearly find ourselves defensively what we are going to look like up front. We got five guys rotating in and I think our edge is going to be pretty good. I like what we are doing there, but you saw what we saw today. Our pass rush is going to be manufactured. It is not just going to be four downs and pin your ears back. It is going to be nickels, safeties, and different guys coming from different pressures. If our corners continue to hold up on the outside, I feel pretty good about that.”
“From an offensive standpoint, we need to clean up the execution and begin next week focused in on what we do well. I think the last few days, we have been painting with a broad brush. We need to focus on running the ball, taking some shots, and getting the ball quickly to our playmakers, and moving on to the next play.”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly
Special teams wise, both punters in Peyton Todd and Blake Ochsendorf have been rotating reps and there is a good chance that we could see both punters out there Week 1 against USC. There was also an exclusive look at the kick return game as Josh Williams, Javen Nicholas, and Kaleb Jackson were all working as returners.
Finally, this practice report would be remiss if we did not mention Ed Daniels. The longtime WGNO sportscaster left a lasting mark on so many people that grew up watching Friday Night Football and have watched his college and professional football coverage. Coach Brian Kelly started his press conference by paying tribute to a Louisiana sports icon, who left us too soon.
This practice report is dedicated to the memory of Ed Daniels and for the many people that he has impacted in covering sports over his Hall of Fame career.
The next LSU practice report will be next Wednesday as the media will have two more opportunities to see the Tigers in fall practice before gearing up for game week against USC starting on the 26th.
For all of our LSU content, make sure to go to www.gridironfootballusa.com!
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