For the second time in the spring, the media got the chance to see the LSU Tigers in practice for a 20 minute period.
Heading into the spring, there is no doubt about who the QB1 is as it is Garrett Nussmeier’s show, but the competition is for the QB2 spot. Right now, Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann and Rickie Collins have gotten similar amount of reps while early freshman enrollee Colin Hurley has been getting his feet wet as he is transitioning from high school to college. Nussmeier likes what he sees from the rest of a different looking quarterback group.
“AJ and Colin have been doing an amazing job since they’ve gotten here. AJ’s done a really good job transitioning. He came from Vanderbilt and he’s played some SEC games so he has some experience. I think he has done a good job of learning the new offense and bringing it out onto the field. He is a very talented player and really intelligent. Colin has also done an amazing job since he’s got here. It’s hard because he didn’t even play his senior year of high school. He just turned 17 years old. It’s a learning curve and everybody goes through it. Colin’s done an unbelievable job of translating things onto the field.”
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier
With the lack of depth at running back in the spring, the backfield only has two scholarship players in Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams. Regardless, that duo will get majority of the reps in the spring and are the two favorites to get carries in the fall.
Kyren Lacy and Chris Hilton Jr. are the two top receivers in the group, but Kyle Parker has been a name that is going up the depth chart as he has been getting reps with the 1s as the third wide receiver. Behind that trio has been Aaron Anderson, Shelton Sampson Jr., CJ Daniels, Zavion Thomas, and Khai Prean behind them. Garrett Nussmeier has been impressed with what he has seen from Parker and why he has emerged as a current starter.
“Kyle has worked his tail off. That is awesome to see. A lot of times, you see guys that go from their freshman to sophomore year and they look different. For Kyle, I am not saying that was him his freshman year, but he knows what is going on. He knows what he is doing and he has worked his tail off. It has been translating on the field and it has looked really good.”
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier on Kyle Parker
The tight end position is going to be one of the deepest positions on the team. With five-star Trey’Dez Green arriving in the fall, there are a lot of options there for the offense to use them as Mason Taylor, Mac Markway, Ka’Morreun Pimpton, and Connor Gilbreath have all been available and running drills in the spring.
Will Campbell has been showing off the number 7 jersey in practice as the number one offensive tackle, but today, the Tigers were without Emery Jones, who was not available for practice today. Because of that, Tyree Adams filled in for Jones showing that right now he is the backup at right tackle.
With Jones being out, the starting five consisted of Campbell at left tackle, Garrett Dellinger at left guard, DJ Chester at center, Miles Frazier at guard, and Adams at right tackle.
Up front, there are not a lot of bodies on the defensive line to work with, but the duo of Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee continue to lead the pace inside. On the edge, there is more depth there right now as familiar names Bradyn Swinson, Da’Shawn Womack, Paris Shand, Saivion Jones, Jaxon Howard, and Dylan Carpenter have all been getting a lot of reps while youngsters Gabriel Reliford and Ahmad Breaux have shown off their natural ability as top recruits coming out of high school.
Working with new linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Blake Baker, Greg Penn III, Harold Perkins, and Whit Weeks are certainly the three names that could all have a big season considering what they have shown plus how Baker has gotten the most out of that position group in the past.
“It’s definitely different than last time since he is the DC now. He is the voice of the whole defense and not just the linebacker room. It is definitely different, but I love playing for Coach Baker. He does a great job in our room and being able to guide us and instruct us with what he wants from our defense.”
LSU LB Greg Penn III on having Blake Baker as the defensive coordinator/linebacker coach
Finally, in the secondary, Ashton Stamps and Javien Toviano are the front runners as they are in the front of every position drill working with cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond while Sage Ryan was working with the first team also at nickel cornerback. At safety, Texas A&M transfer Jardin Gilbert and Major Burns have paced the backend of the defense with first team reps.
The media will have their third viewing of LSU practice on Saturday and there should be much more to report as we will get to see the entire portion of practice.
Until then, you can see all of our LSU content at www.gridironfootballusa.com!
