As LSU head coach Brian Kelly mentioned yesterday, today was the first time that the team got to wear full pads and got to tackle to the ground. This was also the longest and most physical practice that the media got access to with it being two hours outside.
Today, it was no question that the first team defensive line got the better of the first team offensive line during 11v11. Jack Pyburn, who has been playing a lot of inside and outside, was unblockable. He quickly got into the backfield for a tackle for loss on Caden Durham, sacked Garrett Nussmeier in the pocket, and finally was Johnny on the spot on a fumble recovery when he was going up against the second team offense.
Pyburn has not been the only defensive standout through fall camp and today. Another pleasant surprise has been South Florida transfer Bernard Gooden. Wearing 88, Gooden has frequently been in the backfield when his number has been called up. Today, he had two tackles for loss in the backfield. Other guys like Dominick McKinley, Patrick Payton, and Ahmad Breaux made their fair share of plays and made it absolutely difficult for the first team offensive line to get a hand on them.
It was no doubt that it was the offensive line’s worst day since the media has been out there, but for the most part, the same group has been continuing to work with each other. It has been Tyree Adams at left tackle, DJ Chester at left guard, Braelin Moore at center, Josh Thompson at right guard, and Weston Davis at right tackle. Two players to watch out for that have been frequently in the starting rotation today are Coen Echols and Paul Mubenga, who have been in there at guard. After a good day on Monday, it was certainly a day to forget for the offensive line.
The only score today from the first team offense came from one of fall camp’s most consistent performers and that is Caden Durham, who broke off a 50 yard touchdown run to the right side.
If there was somebody that stood out today on the offensive side, it was no doubt that it was Bauer Sharp. The Oklahoma transfer made two impressive grabs and caught everything in sight. One was a diving one handed grab during 7v7 and the other was a deep catch down the sidelines from Garrett Nussmeier. It was great concentration from Sharp as Nussmeier threw it in a tight window and was nearly deflected by Ashton Stamps.
The 1v1 competition with the wide receivers and defensive backs has been competitive. Stamps has been in good position and has held his own against the wide receivers. Trey’Dez Green ran a nice route and beat Jardin Gilbert over the top on one play. The chemistry between Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Hilton Jr. continues to shine as Hilton beats DJ Pickett and Javien Toviano deep for big catches. Kyle Parker made a toe tapping catch against Mansoor Delane, and Harold Perkins did a great job in coverage against Trey’Dez Green.
Continuing back to the secondary, DJ Pickett and Jardin Gilbert had two big hits as Pickett tackled Destyn Hill on a short gain while Gilbert made a couple of big hits in the running game and over the middle to break the football away from Zavion Thomas.
The starting defense had Gabriel Reliford and Jack Pyburn at defensive end, Dominick McKinley and Bernard Gooden at defensive tackle, Whit Weeks and West Weeks at linebacker, Harold Perkins Jr. at STAR, Ashton Stamps and Mansoor Delane at cornerback, and Jardin Gilbert and Tamarcus Cooley at safety.
The second team defense had Patrick Payton and Jimari Butler at defensive end, Jacobian Guillory and Ahmad Breaux at defensive tackle, Charles Ross at STAR, Davhon Keys and Tylen Singleton at linebacker, AJ Haulcy and Javien Toviano at safety, and PJ Woodland and DJ Pickett at cornerback.
Brian Kelly says that guys like Charles Ross, CJ Jimcoily, and even Jardin Gilbert are going to get a lot of reps behind Harold Perkins Jr. in that STAR role.
It was also interesting of note that freshman Harlem Berry is starting to get a lot of reps as RB2 behind Caden Durham and ahead of Kaleb Jackson and JT Lindsey.
Finally, the backup quarterback position has been an interesting battle. Both Michael Van Buren and Colin Hurley have shown flashes, but neither has separated themselves from the other.
The media will have no access tomorrow, but will return on Thursday where we will have another exclusive look as well as talk with offensive coordinator Joe Sloan.
Check out our other LSU Fall Practice Reports Here!
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