Today will be the last LSU Fall Practice Report as Saturday’s practice will be closed to the media. LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly said that yesterday was the first day that the team would be preparing for the season opener against USC while also incorporating team reps.
“We are having some team against USC. We’ve had some good on good work. We worked on two minute drill since it’s Wednesday. Then, we have some things that we normally work on for technical work to get your football team ready through camp. We did a little bit of everything today, but getting our guys starting to think about the mindset of preparing, but we are also about to flip the switch to gameday preparation. I like how we are preparing and guys are putting some consistent days together. Anytime during camp, you have some guys with some ankles and foot injuries nothing serious, but it gives our other guys a chance out to compete.”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly
As the Tigers are beginning to wrap up fall camp, there is more risk of injury occurring and it showed today as Sage Ryan, West Weeks, Miles Frazier, and Chris Hilton were all sidelined because of injury.
Players stepped up in their roles and it also was a good look to see where the Tigers will go if there was an injury. Like last week, Tyree Adams filled in at right guard while DJ Chester remained at center. Adams looks to be the swing guy in the rotation at either guard or tackle if there is an injury present.
With Ryan sitting out, it allowed JK Johnson and PJ Woodland to get first team reps at cornerback.
Kyle Parker took advantage of Chris Hilton being out by having a great day of practice including catching a touchdown on fourth down during 11v11. Coach Kelly said that he likes the backups getting some reps with the first team, but at the same time, he is just as happy that the four key players’ injuries are not anything of major significance.
Garrett Nussmeier continues to look good in throwing the deep ball as he hit on long plays to Parker, Aaron Anderson, CJ Daniels, and perhaps the best throw of the practice to tight end Mason Taylor over Harold Perkins in coverage. Despite being beat in coverage, Brian Kelly has stated that Perkins has become nearly unstoppable to block in practice and is elevating the play of his defensive teammates.
The defense made plays in practice too as the secondary got not one, but two interceptions. One was thrown by Garrett Nussmeier as PJ Woodland intercepted it off the tipped pass and the other was thrown by Rickie Collins as JK Johnson made the play on the football. Although Nussmeier has had a great camp and has made some good throws, there have also been some interceptions thrown over the course of fall camp.
The question was brought up about the backup quarterback position and Brian Kelly gave an update that they feel better about it now than at the beginning of fall camp, but there is some work left to be decided.
Finally, I got the chance to ask Brian Kelly about the leadership from players like Will Campbell, Emery Jones, Mason Taylor, and Harold Perkins as well as an update about the #18 jersey.
“Leadership is an interesting question. Each player has in their own way of how they handle leadership. What I require from players is personal accountability and hold others accountable. It’s not a position and I hold my leadership group to this. It is not a position in which you get the chance to explain yourself when you have to do things. It is not a position that you want when you expect popularity. It is a position to hold good friends accountable that they have been doing. I think each one of them does it in their own fashion to who they are. Leadership is happening quite well within this program, but different for who the individual player is. As it relates to 18, I think I’ve made a decision on how that number is going to end up. You will probably hear something very soon if not tomorrow, perhaps the next 48 hours.”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly
LSU is closing fall camp with a practice on Saturday and by tomorrow or Friday, we should be hearing an announcement about who is wearing #18.
The next report will be on Monday as Brian Kelly opens game week by talking to the media about USC. For all of the latest content, make sure to go to www.gridironfootballusa.com!
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