Today marked the first day of full pads for the LSU Tigers and the media first got access to 1v1s and it was one of the more entertaining periods that we have seen to this point as the wide receivers and defensive backs were going back and forth for some competitive reps.
The best highlight during the session was when Kyren Lacy went 1v1 against Ashton Stamps. Stamps, who has been having a great fall camp, was in great position and stuck with Lacy the whole rep in coverage, but being the athletic playmaker that he is, he turned around, high pointed the football, and made a great play.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has really found a rapport with not only Lacy, but Chris Hilton Jr as that connection has been lethal this fall camp. Also, Aaron Anderson is coming off one of his better days in fall camp by not having a single drop today. The wide receiver core is deep and talented with a lot of options.
Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan met with reporters after practice to discuss the offense. When it comes to the receivers, he not only likes the trio of Lacy, Hilton, and even CJ Daniels, but the rest of the group and how they have emerged.
With Zavion Thomas sidelines again with his hamstring injury, the second group of receivers consisted of Aaron Anderson, Kyle Parker, and Shelton Sampson Jr.
When it comes to how the defensive backs have matched up throughout the first couple of fall camp practices, it has been night and day from a year ago as last year, the wide receivers were dominating the matchups and now, the defensive backs have been able to hold their own. Most notably today, the defensive backs showed that they could hang in there with the Tigers’ two impressive receiving tight ends in Ka’Morreun Pimpton and Trey’Dez Green.
First, Dashawn Spears had a PBU on Ka’Morreun Pimpton and Trey’Dez Green, and then, Ju’Juan Johnson had one on Trey’Dez Green. Still, the tight ends have been very impressive through fall camp while Mason Taylor continues to show off as the team’s TE1 with an acrobatic grab early in the session. Despite the departure of Mac Markway, which was announced yesterday, Sloan still believes that the tight end position is one of the most fun to be around.
During 11v11, Stamps bounced back by having a pass breakup while JK Johnson got an interception of AJ Swann from a tipped pass. Johnson and PJ Woodland are still the second team cornerbacks behind Sage Ryan and Ashton Stamps.
Switching back to the other side of the ball, the offensive line continues to impress. There is no doubt that the first team unit is one of the best in college football and Sloan is going to utilize this veteran group.
Behind the starting unit, Tyree Adams is looking like he is going to be the next great tackle at LSU as he has demonstrated some incredible upside and is turning out to be a rotational piece that can come in if needed.
On the defensive line, Saivion Jones has seemed to benefit the most from Bradyn Swinson’s absence during practice as for the second day in a row has beaten Emery Jones on a rep. Jones and Da’Shawn Womack are the two starting defensive ends while Gabriel Reliford and Paris Shand are the two backup defensive ends.
Shone Washington also put together his best sequence of reps as he was able to win all three of his reps during 1v1s including a couple against starter Miles Frazier. On the interior, Jacobian Guillory and Gio Paez have the lead on the interior of the defense while Kimo Makane’ole and Jay’viar Suggs are getting the second team reps.
Finally, on special teams, it seems like Louisiana Tech transfer Blake Ochsendorf has been more consistent on his punts and has the current lead as the starter over Peyton Todd.
With Zavion Thomas not practicing, it allowed for Aaron Anderson, Kyle Parker, and Jelani Watkins to get more looks at punt returner.
The media will not be back on the practice field until Saturday so make sure to check back with us then for the next practice report, but until then, make sure to follow us at www.gridironfootballusa.com for more great LSU content!
Check out our previous LSU Fall Practice Reports below!
You must be logged in to post a comment.