The way Brian Kelly designed LSU’s spring schedule spread 15 practices over six weeks. He wanted to maximize the amount of time coaches can spend with players, so the team took this week off for spring break and pauses again around Easter.
His approach stretched LSU’s contact time. NCAA rules let practice take place over 34 days. That would be continuous, but by fitting practices around mandated school breaks, the clock stops. The Tigers can then work deeper into the spring.
“That allows you to elongate the schedule because you don’t have to count these days that we’re at break,” Kelly said. “It allows us the ability to spend more time in terms of meeting and contact hours with our football team.”
The format made two non-contact practices last week a soft launch to spring ball. Once LSU returns to the field March 21, it can go full contact and will regularly practice until the last day April 22 inside Tiger Stadium.
With that in mind, here’s what we’re watching for when spring ball ramps up next week.
Who starts at cornerback?
There may not be much clarity until preseason camp with seven newcomers. Players will likely rotate throughout the spring, and LSU won’t have a complete picture anyway because two-year Syracuse starter Duce Chestnut is out until summer workouts with an injury.
Still, LSU has time to evaluate everyone else. Texas A&M transfer Denver Harris, Ohio State transfer JK Johnson, Southeastern transfer Zy Alexander, sophomore Laterrance Welch, freshman Javien Toviano, freshman Jeremiah Hughes and summer enrollee Ashton Stamps all have upside and question marks.
How does the defensive front shape up?
Defensive coordinator Matt House uses multiple looks, and LSU has the personnel to move players around the defensive front so schemes become more difficult to predict. Combine his philosophy with new players and more depth, and how all the pieces fit together becomes an interesting puzzle.
“The multiplicity of the defense right now is pretty exciting,” Kelly told The Advocate.
Inside, LSU returned expected starters Mekhi Wingo and Maason Smith. It also added former West Virginia starter Jordan Jefferson, who will likely contribute. But their limited availability this spring creates an opening for others to crack the rotation. Arizona transfer Paris Shand, redshirt junior Jacobian Guillory and Florida transfer Jalen Lee will get more reps.
On the edges, LSU has openings at Jack linebacker and defensive end with multiple players competing at both spots. Defensive end features junior Sai’vion Jones, redshirt freshman Quency Wiggins and potentially Shand. Texas transfer Ovie Oghoufo appears to have the early lead at edge rusher, but Oregon transfer Bradyn Swinson and freshman Jaxon Howard will compete. Five-star freshman Da’Shawn Womack can join either position battle once he gets cleared from shoulder surgery.
In some ways, Jones and Shand show the flexibility of the defensive line. LSU envisioned Shand playing strongside defensive end, a source said when he signed, but it listed him as a defensive tackle. At 6-foot-4 and 267 pounds, he still projects on the edge and could try different alignments.
Kelly said Jones has the size and physicality to line up outside the tackle or an outside shade over the guard.
“Sai’vion is probably one of the guys that we’re so excited about where is right now in terms of physically and his development,” Kelly said.
Offensive line depth
This is one of Kelly’s main priorities. He knows what LSU has on the first-team offensive line with essentially five starters back.
The issue is behind them.
After four backups transferred, the Tigers will go through spring practice with seven scholarship offensive linemen because incumbent center Charles Turner is recovering from a knee injury. Helps comes this summer with four freshmen and Maryland transfer Mason Lunsford. Until then, Kelly wants to gauge the depth, particularly at center.
Turner’s absence gives senior Marlon Martinez time to show if he can handle pre-snap communication and the physical requirements of playing center. Redshirt freshman Bo Bordelon and redshirt sophomore Kimo Makane’ole also have a chance to establish themselves as viable options before everyone else arrives.
Can Garrett Nussmeier push Jayden Daniels?
Kelly named Daniels the starter and hasn’t wavered. Why would he at this point? Daniels returned for his final season after leading LSU to 10 wins and an appearance in the Southeastern Conference championship game. He feels confident he can improve his progressions and downfield passing with a full offseason.
However, Kelly left the door cracked for redshirt sophomore Garrett Nussmeier after his impressive postseason. Nussmeier will receive first-team practice reps, and Kelly told The Advocate “we’re not closed-minded about Garrett Nussmeier going in there and being so good that we have a change in what we look at on a day-to-day basis.”
LSU feels comfortable starting Daniels for another season. Can Nussmeier force the coaches to consider a change?
Complementary offensive pieces
Bringing back the majority of its offense gave LSU certainties. It has a proven quarterback. The starting offensive line doesn’t need an overhaul. Veteran running backs are known quantities. Mason Taylor is the starting tight end, Malik Nabers the leading receiver.
As much as LSU knows about its offense, it has to determine certain roles. There’s the backup offensive line. The Tigers also have to figure out their wide receiver rotation and who else plays when they use multi-tight end sets.
With Taylor (shoulder) out for the spring, early enrollees Mac Markway and Jackson McGohan have ample time to assert themselves before fellow freshman Ka’Morreun Pimpton enrolls this summer. LSU may also look for a veteran tight end in the transfer portal.
The Tigers have plenty of talent at wide receiver. Brian Thomas is the likely No. 2 but needs to take the next step. Alabama transfer Aaron Anderson has a role once healthy, Kelly said, if he plays the way he did at Edna Karr High School. Redshirt sophomore Chris Hilton and freshman Jalen Brown offer elite speed. And rhe rest have just as much of an opportunity.
Is there a kicker competition?
Redshirt sophomore Damian Ramos had a decent first season as the starting kicker. He finished 10 of 14 on field goals, including a clutch 47-yarder to seal a road win over Florida.
Nathan Dibert wasn’t ready last year as a freshman, but he got some playing time as the kickoff specialist. Does Dibert, who was ranked No. 2 in the 2022 class by Kohl’s Kicking, push for the spot?
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