Will Rosenblatt
August 7, 2024 12:56 pm CT
LSU began fall camp last week. Football is getting closer, and we’re less than a month from kicking it off against USC in Las Vegas.
Fall camp always manages to answer a few questions. We get a better idea of what the personnel looks like and how the coaching staff plans to deploy it.
Brian Kelly is entering his third year with LSU, but there’s a lot of new elements with this group. Both sides of the ball have new playcallers and LSU is looking to replace a trio of first-round picks on offense.
Today, we’ll examine some of the questions that remain about this team. It’s a group that can reach the College Football Playoff if it hits the ceiling, but LSU has to address some concerns first.
It will be LSU’s fifth-straight year opening against a Power Four-level opponent. LSU has dropped its last four openers, which is a trend that LSU needs to buck if it eyes the postseason.
Here are five questions we still have about LSU as camp ramps up.
Can LSU’s young corners hold up in man coverage?
New defensive coordinator Blake Baker will play an aggressive style of defense. That could put stress on an inexperienced secondary, specifically LSU’s group of cornerbacks.
At Missouri, Baker had two of the best corners in the SEC with Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw. Both playing at an elite level was a big reason why Missouri’s defense was among the best in the country.
Now at LSU, Baker has the talent, but it’s unproven. Ashton Stamps looks to be LSU’s top corner right now. As a true freshman last year, he played 51 snaps in man coverage, Stamps struggled, allowing a perfect NFL passer rating of 158.3, according to PFF.
LSU is boosted by the return of CB Zy Alexander, but his season was cut short by injury last year and the ramp up this summer has been slow. Ohio State transfer JK Johnson is set to see time too, but he’s also returning from injury after missing the entirety of 2023.
For LSU to take the needed step forward, at least one of these guys needs to emerge as an SEC-level player in man coverage.
Does LSU have depth at receiver?
One of the biggest changes this fall will come at the receiver position. LSU is losing top producers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. with Kyren Lacy expected to assume the WR1 role.
Entering camp, the picture behind Lacy was muddy, but on Monday, Kelly said CJ Daniels and Chris Hilton Jr. are emerging to form a solid three-man lineup.
“Kyren Lacy is going to be there. Chris is going to be there. CJ is going to be there,” Kelly said, “Those three guys, you know, you can count on them being integral parts.”
Kelly added the offense is aiming to get other players first-team reps too. This is a position where depth is needed, and at some point, Nussmeier will be throwing to guys further down the depth chart.
The goal now is to ensure Nussmeier is comfortable with a handful of pass catchers, deepening LSU’s rotation. Lacy looks ready for a breakout year, but there are players in this group who still need to prove it at an SEC level.
How ready is LSU’s second-team offensive line?
Last year, LSU’s depth on the OL was strong. Lance Heard was able to slide in at tackle on a moment’s notice while Mason Lunsford and DJ Chester gave LSU options on the interior.
Heard transferred to Tennessee and Lunsford graduated. Chester is now a starter and suddenly, that depth isn’t there anymore.
But this isn’t much different from where LSU was entering 2023. Chester and Heard were true freshmen and we didn’t know they’d acclimate so quickly.
LSU added more blue-chip offensive linemen in the class of 2024, and Brad Davis could have the young guys ready to go again.
A name to watch is true freshman tackle Weston Davis. He was one of the top signees in LSU’s 2024 class and has made a strong first impression. He could be ready to make an impact if called upon this year.
Are pass rushers prepared to take another step?
In 2023, Missouri’s defense under Blake Baker ranked No. 8 nationally in sack rate. Arriving at LSU along with Baker was defensive ends coach Kevin Peoples, who was a key to Missouri’s elite pass rush last fall.
Baker and Peoples will look to achieve similar numbers at LSU, but whether the Tigers can reach that mark in 2024 remains a question.
Bradyn Swinson proved to be a valuable defender down the stretch, but he needs to put it together over the course of an entire season. A promising breakout candidate is former five-star Da'Shawn Womack as he enters his sophom*ore year.
With LSU’s liability at corner and thin depth on the interior defensive line, the pass rush needs to be strength of this defense.
How will the running back carries shake out?
The position with the most uncertainty on LSU’s offense is the running back spot. Josh Williams, Kaleb Jackson and John Emery Jr. are no strangers to this program, but the question is about how each will be deployed.
Also in the room are sophom*ore Trey Holly and freshman Caden Durham.
Jackson showed flashes last year and could be the closest thing this group has to a feature back this fall. He’s strong enough to run in between the tackles and has the explosiveness to hit it big on the outside. With LSU’s diversified rushing attack, Jackson’s completeness has value.
Williams and Emery both have experience and both should carve out some sort of role.
As far as Durham and Holly go, the opportunity is there. If either pushes the envelope, they’ll find their way to the field.
There are plenty of options here, but it could shake out in a number of different ways. This won’t be answered during camp, but we should have a good idea by the time SEC play rolls around.
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