Tinker:
The LSU spring football team is practicing on the ponderous practice field LSU campus in Baton Rouge Louisiana, and that is where I want to be these day. Because that is where all the real actions is with the 2013 LSU fighting tigers football team practicing how to become a winner. That is where the Les Miles coaching staff has assembled their hand picked football players to further advance the LSU college football program.
Lets take a look?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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John Chavis: LSU’s defense relishes challenge it faces
That does not mean Chavis is off camera somewhere, shaking in his boots.
The loss of seven defensive starters from last year’s 10-3 team is cause for significant concern among purple-and-gold faithful. By no means does that concern not extend to the defensive coordinator’s office on the second floor of the LSU football complex.
But Widespread Panic is probably not a group Chavis has ever listened to — or an emotion to which he subscribes.
The names may have changed on the LSU defense — a whole mess of them. The expectations, Chavis said, have not.
“This is what happens in football,” Chavis said Monday. “Real good players move on. We’ve done a good job recruiting here. Certainly the biggest thing (this spring) is creating depth. Some new names will come to the front. It’s a matter of getting the right people in the right places to make sure we get our best team on the field.
“We’ve got a challenge — no question. But these young men are not afraid of doing the hard things. We’re looking forward to it.”
Graduation and early departures for the NFL draft hit LSU hardest on the defensive line, where the Tigers must replace all four starters (Ke-Ke Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Josh Downs and Bennie Logan) plus two senior backups (Lavar Edwards and Chancey Aghayere).
Despite that, Chavis said LSU is out to identify enough good players to retain its typical eight- or nine-man defensive-line rotation.
“That’s a must,” he said. “We’ll get there if we have to do it by committee. Three years ago, we were in a very similar situation. We’ll continue to grow and develop these young guys.”
One effort to bolster depth has been the move of sophomore Ronnie Feist (6-foot-2 and 230 pounds) from linebacker to defensive end.
“In three days, he hasn’t looked out of place,” Chavis said. “We’ll see how he looks, but if not, he will do well for us at middle linebacker.”
Linebacker is where LSU’s defense is the deepest. Even without Feist, the Tigers have eight experienced players there, with three freshmen — East Feliciana’s Kendell Beckwith, John Curtis’ Duke Riley and Melvin Jones of Lake Charles Washington-Marion — arriving in August.
There has been much talk of who will replace All-Southeastern Conference middle linebacker Kevin Minter. It looked like Lamin Barrow (6-2, 232) would slide over from his weakside spot and still may, but junior D.J. Welter (6-0, 226) is getting a chance to play there.
“We’re giving him some good looks,” Chavis said. “He’s playing with Lamar Louis. He played there by necessity last year (as a freshman). We’ve been real pleased with him. Our other options are Lamin or Lorenzo Phillips and Trey Granier. I don’t know how it’s going to shake out.
“The thing we want to make understood is there’s no job out there that has a name on it. You may have manned that spot last year, but someone wants it this year.”
Chavis said there isn’t much experimentation going on in the secondary — just two groups of players at safety and cornerback fighting for playing time.
Cornerback Jalen Mills (6-0, 185) and strong safety Craig Loston (6-2, 205) are the returning starters. Sophomore safety Micah Eugene (5-11, 190) is seeing the most work at nickel back along with Mills, Chavis said.
“A bunch of our guys played last year. They’ve got to mature and get better,” Chavis said. “That’s what spring practice is all about.”
The Tigers resume practice at 4 p.m. Tuesday with their fourth session of the spring. The team will practice again Thursday in advance of Saturday’s scrimmage in Tiger Stadium, the first of spring practice.
http://www.lsusports.net/
LSUsports.net
Football Spring Game Set for April 20, 2 p.m.
by Michael Bonnette (@LSUBonnette), Associate Athletic Director/SID
BATON ROUGE - LSU will conclude its spring football practice on Saturday, April 20 in Tiger Stadium with the annual National L-Club Spring Game presented by Tony Chachere's.
Kickoff for the contest is set for 2 p.m. and admission is free of charge.
Prior to kickoff for the spring game, LSU will host a Fan Fest in Lot A of Tiger Stadium beginning at 11 a.m. with food and drinks, a live band, and inflatables and other activities for the kids. The gates to Tiger Stadium will open at noon with the kickoff to follow at 2 p.m.
Other events on campus that day include the nationally-ranked softball team hosting Missouri at 6 p.m. at Tiger Park and the LSU track and field squad hosting the Alumni Gold Relays at Bernie Moore Track Stadium.
More details about the LSU National L-Club Spring Game and the Fan Fest will be made as the date of the game approaches.
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Football
LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron with three QB's
Photo by:Hilary Scheinuk, LSU Athletics Student Photographer
Football to Wrap Up First Week of Spring Drills
BATON ROUGE - After two days of practice in shorts and helmets, LSU will turn up the intensity on Saturday as the Tigers will put on shoulder pads for their final workout of the week.
After two practices thus far, LSU coach Les Miles has been pleased with what's he's seen from his team.
"We've only been in shorts and helmets, but I like the tempo of practice," Miles said. "It's been a nice start to the spring. Our team is improving. We have some young guys that will have an opportunity to compete. We have some veterans that know how to do things. It is a nice start. I think our defense is maybe going to be ahead of where we were at different times a year ago.
"I've been very pleased so far. We'll get to see the real personality of the team with a nice, physical practice tomorrow."
LSU will practice a total of 15 times during the spring, culminating with the National L-Club Spring Game on Saturday, April 20 in Tiger Stadium. Kickoff for the spring game is 2 p.m. and admission is free of charge.
One obvious area of interest for the Tigers this spring is the development of the offense under first-year coordinator Cam Cameron. Cameron, who joined LSU last month, after serving as an offensive coordinator and a head coach in the NFL, has made his impact felt right away with an up-tempo, NFL-style practice routine.
"I think it is very good," Miles said. "It is fast paced, but it's under development. It is not necessarily finished with the players. What has to happen is the offense has to accomplish it. It is a challenge to them and I think they are really enjoying the challenge. They are recognizing that there are some real benefits to that style of play. It has been very good."
After Saturday's practice, the Tigers will return to the field next week workouts on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. LSU's first scrimmage of the spring will be held on Saturday, March 23. Read more...http://www.lsusports.
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http://espn.go.com/blog/
College Football Nation Blog
LSU hopes new style helps passing game
March, 18, 2013
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
LSU is a very intriguing team to keep an eye on this spring.
Thanks to graduation and early jumps to the NFL, the defense has to replace a host of players, while the offense is looking to finally generate some consistent excitement/production in 2013.
The absences on defense are concerning, but people around the program are expecting more reloading than rebuilding on that side of the ball. The offense's transformation still seems to be the real focus at the moment, and the addition of new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron coupled with a lot of experience returning in 2013 has generated some real excitement.
[+] Enlarge
Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesWide
receiver Jarvis Landry says LSU's new offense "will be crazy this year"
if all the players pick up on the differences, including timing of
routes.
Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesWide
receiver Jarvis Landry says LSU's new offense "will be crazy this year"
if all the players pick up on the differences, including timing of
routes.The returning talent, including quarterback Zach Mettenberger, running back Jeremy Hill and a host of receivers, is one thing, but having Cameron around has many wondering if LSU's offense will really take off this fall -- especially with his more up-tempo style.
The Tigers have only gone through a few practices, but players are already starting to see (positive) differences in this offense compared to last year's.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who caught a team-high 56 passes and finished the 2012 season with 573 yards and five touchdowns, said he expects LSU's offense to "attack it more vertically" with its passing game and be more consistent throwing the ball.
So far, Landry said practices have been devoted to slowly breaking the new offense down fundamentally in order to make things easy on players. Even the timing with routes -- new and old -- has been harped on, which has really helped this spring.
"If we continue to do that, the running and passing game will be crazy this year," Landry said.
For Hill, the offense seems more open than last year's and less predictable. Players are moving all around and things can get a little fast at times, but Hill said players are comfortable with the tempo of practice.
"Everything is under control -- it's not chaos out there," Hill said. "We're going fast, but it's organized chaos."
That organized chaos has Hill expecting to see some positive differences in LSU's offense this fall. The Tigers won't get away from their bread and butter that is running the ball with their stable of backs, but, like Landry, Hill senses the passing game will play a bigger role in LSU's success.
"We're still going to be a hard-nosed, smashmouth football team, but our passing game is going to be a lot better next season," he said.
Things are still a work in progress, and the Tigers are in the very early stages of this transition, but there's no question that the confidence is up on offense.
"The sky's the limit," Landry said. "It's kind of unpredictable right now, but it has potential. From where we started last year, it's kind of like the only thing we can do is go up."
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http://lsu.247sports.com/
Geaux247
LSU lands another Texas commit
The
good news continues to roll in for LSU on the 2014 recruiting trail as
the Tigers locked up commitment No. 7 on Friday afternoon.
Tony Upchurch gives LSU seven commitments for the 2014 class
Pearland standout wide receiver Tony Upchurch
made an unofficial visit to campus on Friday with his family, and while
he entered with high interest in the Tigers, he left campus with a new
outlook on his recruitment process.
"Things are over for me now," Upchurch said. "I am committed to LSU."
Upchurch, a 6-foot-2 and 200 pound wide receiver, said he gave LSU coach Les Miles the good news at the end of practice.
"Right when the practice ended, me and my family went up to Coach Miles and he started asking us how everything went," Upchurch said. "We told him there was no other place I wanted to be but LSU, and I went ahead and committed to him right there on the field.
"We all felt comfortable. Coach Miles was really pumped up. He was excited and said that I am officially a Tiger."
Upchurch said the sentiment was the same with wide receivers coach Adam Henry.
"Coach Henry was telling me how good it feels for me to be a part of it all," Upchurch said. "They feel like this class is going to be special, and he's happy I will be a part of it."
Upchurch has never shied away from naming LSU his lead team, and said Friday's visit only reaffirmed his stance with the Tigers.
"Seeing it all in person again really let me know that now was my time," Upchurch said. "They broke it all down to me, and that really boosted me to go ahead and make a decision.
"My mom is really happy for me, and so is my dad. I came down with them and my sister and my mentor, and everyone felt like I was making a good decision."
Upchurch is LSU's first wide receiver commitment in the 2014 class.
--------------------------Tony Upchurch gives LSU seven commitments for the 2014 class"Things are over for me now," Upchurch said. "I am committed to LSU."
Upchurch, a 6-foot-2 and 200 pound wide receiver, said he gave LSU coach Les Miles the good news at the end of practice.
"Right when the practice ended, me and my family went up to Coach Miles and he started asking us how everything went," Upchurch said. "We told him there was no other place I wanted to be but LSU, and I went ahead and committed to him right there on the field.
"We all felt comfortable. Coach Miles was really pumped up. He was excited and said that I am officially a Tiger."
Upchurch said the sentiment was the same with wide receivers coach Adam Henry.
"Coach Henry was telling me how good it feels for me to be a part of it all," Upchurch said. "They feel like this class is going to be special, and he's happy I will be a part of it."
Upchurch has never shied away from naming LSU his lead team, and said Friday's visit only reaffirmed his stance with the Tigers.
"Seeing it all in person again really let me know that now was my time," Upchurch said. "They broke it all down to me, and that really boosted me to go ahead and make a decision.
"My mom is really happy for me, and so is my dad. I came down with them and my sister and my mentor, and everyone felt like I was making a good decision."
Upchurch is LSU's first wide receiver commitment in the 2014 class.
http://espn.go.com/college-
Pursuit Of Perfection
South Carolina has never been better. But it hasn't been good enough for Steve Spurrier as the HBC searches for an SEC title. Chris Low » Secret to success
Haney: Missing pieces 
Blog »Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports
- Bama begins spring ball after rocky offseason
- USC's Redd (knee) out for rest of spring season
- Penn St. again seeks to dismiss McQueary suit
- QB Wilson impresses during Arkansas' pro day
- Sources: Big East has 10 schools for '13-14
- Michigan gives DC Mattison 3-year extension
- NCAA top cop has 18 months to reform group
- QB Smith 60-of-64 at pro day
| McShay 
- Warrant: Agent provided ex-UNC players cash
- Texas WR charged with assaulting tennis player
- Edwards: Bracket lesso
http://www.dandydon.com/
Dandy Don's LSU Sports Report
I'll start this update with the disappointing news of LSU not receiving a bid to the NIT. LSU ended the season 19-12 and, in my opinion, is better than many of the 32 teams selected, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. Still, I think Coach Johnny Jones is to be commended for the job he did in his first year as head coach, both with the current team and on the recruiting trail. With these five players coming in next season, Coach Jones will have a lot of talent to work with, and if Johnny O’Bryant III returns for his senior season, I seriously doubt Tiger fans will have any interest in the NIT selection show next time around. As for whether LSU would accept a bid to this year’s College Basketball Invitational (CBI) or CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), I think not, especially since @LSUSports tweeted last night, “@LSUBasketball not selected to NIT. On to 2013-14!”
On a related note, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament field of 64 will be unveiled at 6 p.m. CT today live on ESPN. The LSU Lady Tigers are expected to earn an at-large berth to the event it will host for the second straight year under head coach Nikki Caldwell. The team and staff will watch the event in the Maravich Center and fans are invited to attend the free event. Lower arena doors open at 5 p.m. and there will be free food and games leading up to the show. Tickets for the NCAA Tournament first and second rounds are on sale now at www.LSUtix.net, by calling
In baseball news, LSU captured it's first SEC series win of the season by beating Mississippi State in two-out-of-three games this weekend, although they were pummeled by MSU yesterday, 10-2. Going into to Starkville and coming away with two wins is nothing to get upset about. In fact, in the two team's storied history LSU has never swept MSU on the Bulldogs’ home field, although this is the Tigers’ seventh consecutive series win over MSU and their fifth in a row in Starkville.
Cody Glenn got the start for LSU and didn’t have his best stuff. Glenn pitched 3.1 innings and was charged with allowing six runs on six hits while walking three and striking out none. The Bulldogs got to Glenn right away and scored two runs on two doubles in the first inning, and then extended the lead to 3-0 in the second on a bases-loaded base on balls. LSU would bring in five relief pitchers who would give up a combined four runs on six hits.
One of the few positives to take away from the Tigers’ performance yesterday was the hitting of Jacoby Jones who went 2-for-2 with one RBI. Coach Mainieri moved Jones to the leadoff spot on Saturday and Jones responded by going 4-for-7 with three RBI. Another positive in yesterday's game was the bat of Jared Foster who gave the Tigers their second run of the day on a pinch-hit homer in the eighth.
The Tigers begin a four-game homestand at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday when they play host to Northwestern State in Alex Box Stadium. Friday LSU will take on Auburn in the first of a three-game SEC home series starting at 6:30 p.m.
The LSU football team will start the second week of spring practice tomorrow and will also practice Thursday and Saturday. I hope to attend one of the three practices this week, if my schedule allows. Regardless, I’ll be staying abreast of what’s happening and will do my best to keep you posted.
Reader comments: Scott, Coach Mainieri was furious about that “brush back” pitch to Mason Katz! Check out what he had to say in this article: LSU-Mississippi State wind up with some bad blood after pitch sails behind Mason Katz's head
Reader comments: Scott, I didn't want a great football story to go unrecognized with all of the excitement of spring practice. Former LSU Tiger Todd McClure is retiring this week after a 14 year NFL career. He was a 7th round draft choice of Atlanta and his entire career was spent with the Falcons. He started 195 of the 198 games in which he played and holds the Falcons record with 144 consecutive starts. He snapped the ball to 12 different starting QBs and played under 6 different head coaches. I know that he still bleeds Purple and Gold and it would be great to see him somehow
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LSU Recruiting Board
brewhan davey
Virginia Tech Fan
Hampson Inn
Member since Sep 2010
16906 posts
Scout.com's Top 10 Louisiana prospects for the class of 2015 (Posted on 3/17/13 at 11:14 p.m.)
This is a compilation I've put together from a series of articles, so 1) there is no link to one story, and 2) the stories are premium
1. Nicholas Brossette, RB, University Lab, 6'0, 220
2. Hunter Dale, S, John Curtis, 6'0, 185
3. Derrius Guice, RB, BR Catholic, 5'10, 200
4. Rhashid Bonnette, WR, Loreauville, 6'1, 180
5. David Ducre, RB, Lakeshore, 6'1, 220
6. Jason Pellerin, QB, NI Catholic, 6'4, 215
7. Garrett Thomas, OT, Many, 6'6, 295
8. Bry'Kiethon Mouton, TE, Acadiana, 6'3, 240
9. Jazz Ferguson, WR, West Feliciana, 6'5, 210
10. Hunter Register, WR, Comeaux, 6'4, 180
Not many offensive or defensive linemen on the radar at this point, but things can definitely change in a year or so.
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VermilionTiger
LA-Lafayette Fan
Louisiana
Member since Dec 2012
1348 posts
LSU's success at recruiting Louisiana | States of Georgia and Ohio added (Posted on 1/17/13 at 3:55 p.m.)
LSU signed 55/90, with a 61% success rate. Averaging 9 out of 15 every year.
Louisiana top 15 2013:
LSU - 10
Alabama - 2
A&M - 1
Unknown - 3
Louisiana top 15 2012:
LSU - 8
Alabama - 2
Texas - 1
Arkansas - 1
Tennessee - 1
Nebraska - 1
Tulane - 1
Louisiana top 15 2011:
LSU - 11
Alabama - 1
A&M - 1
TCU - 1
Auburn - 1
Louisiana top 15 2010:
LSU - 8
Auburn - 1
Arkansas - 1
A&M - 1
TCU - 1
Houston - 1
Michigan - 1
Memphis - 1
Louisiana top 15 2009:
LSU - 8
Alabama - 3
Tennessee - 1
Arkansas - 1
A&M - 2
Louisiana top 15 2008:
LSU - 10
Alabama - 1
Nebraska - 1
Tulsa - 1
Arkansas - 1
Penn State - 1
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JimKleinpeter #LSU rolls out another Aussie punter, competition at placekicker: spring football preview | NOLA.com nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/…
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BenLoveTSD Top 5 things we've learned from one week of #LSU spring practice. ($) louisianastate.scout.com/2/
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http://www.thetowntalk.com/
thetowntalk.com
Guilbeau: LSU's Blue trying not to fall behind after knee injury
Louisiana State running back Alfred Blue (4) carries the ball during against Northwestern State in Baton Rouge in 2011. / AP - By Glenn Guilbeau
LSU Alfred BLUE.jpg
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BATON ROUGE -- Alfred Blue will enter his fourth football season at Louisiana State in 2013 still looking for his first injury-free campaign.
He was off to the best start of his career in 2012. First, he beat out both Michael Ford and Spencer Ware -- the top two rushers from the 13-1 season in 2011 -- for the starting job. Then he turned in back-to-back 100-yard games against North Texas and Washington. No LSU back had done that since Charles Scott in 2008.
With 224 yards on the season, he stood No. 2 in the Southeastern Conference in rushing with 112 yards a game. Then he tore ligaments in his knee against Idaho, had surgery and was lost for the season. Freshman Jeremy Hill eventually took over and returns as LSU's leading rusher from last season with 755 yards. From the sound of coach Les Miles, Hill may get a lot more yards than that next season.
"I would be surprised if he's not an elite back," Miles said as spring drills opened last week.
Once again, Blue, a senior from Boutte, enters a season not expected to be the feature back. Through three seasons with injuries in each one, he has managed, though, to gain 910 yards and frequently be key to LSU's attack. In addition to Hill, Kenny Hilliard returns for his junior season, and junior-to-be Terrence Magee is back at tailback after a season at wide receiver.
Blue's knee is not 100 percent yet, but he plans on participating in spring drills as much as possible without contact on the knee so as not to drop on the depth chart behind some very talented backs. And there is another reason.
"We've got a new offensive coordinator," he said last week in reference to Cam Cameron, formerly of Baltimore and San Diego in the NFL.
"I don't want to be left behind," Blue said. "I'd rather get out there. We agreed on no contact, but I'll go out there full speed and run around."
Blue is on the fast track back because of his work ethic.
"I'm way ahead of schedule," he said. "Sometimes they tried to hold me back, but I always kept pushing and telling them I just wanted to get back. I'm just trying to hurry up and get back."
Basically, Blue has done everything necessary to return to full contact, except the most important thing -- get hit.
"I'm out there going full go," he said. "I did the morning workouts. I did all the drills. That kind of built my confidence up going into the first spring practice, knowing that I can cut. I can do this. I can just burst out without worrying about when I cut off my knee if it's going to buckle or what not."
Blue says he is only 90 percent right now, though.
"I feel confident," he said. "I feel the same as I was before I got hurt. At moments, though, I feel like I'm a little slow. My burst is not there. But at some moments, I feel faster than I was. It's still trying to get there and adjust to my knee."
The next step will be the knee taking the hit, but that may not happen until August when it counts.
"I don't think that will be a problem," Blue said.
http://lsufootball.net/
LSU Football - Geaux Tigers!!!
| Everything Alabama | Taking a closer look at Auburn's H-backs / tight ends |
| Everything Alabama | Alabama ready to move past offseason issues |
| Associated Press | Following bowl win, touted recruiting class, Ole Miss tries to keep momentum |
http://www.tigerrag.com/?p=
LSU Spring Football Practice Report, Day Two (3/15)
Tidbits from the Ponderosa from Friday’s individual drills
OFFENSIVE REPORT
By CODY WORSHAM
Tiger Rag Editor
If the weather is any omen of the season to come, 2013 will be a beautiful one for LSU football.
Another gorgeous spring day awaited the LSU Tiger football squad on day two of spring practice, and the individual drills available to media appeared as crisp as the climate.
The offense split up into its usual groupings, but to start, on the line, Les Miles and Greg Studrawa took the centers and guards, while Steve Ensminger took the tackles and tight ends.
O-line/Tight Ends
Their focus to start was LSU’s zone schemes, a key part of the Tiger offense. Both groups worked on getting off an initial block and getting into the second level, with Miles doing much of the detail-oriented work with the guards and Studrawa working as the “loud man,” calling the cadences and cheering/chiding when necessary.
Miles spent a lot of time with Fehoko Faniaka, the junior college transfer from the College of San Mateo in California, working on technique. Hoko, as Miles calls him, is a physical specimen at 6′6 and at least 20 pounds over his listed weight of 340 pounds. But he needs some refinement, and Miles was glad to give it. He kept telling his big man to stay low, which I imagine is difficult for anyone that tall and heavy.
Josh Williford continued to handle the center duties — with ease, I might add — and freshman Ethan Pocic worked in at center behind him. Evan Washington took reps at left guard with Williford moved to center, something Jonah Austin did yesterday.
La’el Collins remained with the tackles. Dillon Gordon, at 280 pounds, is quite big for a tight end. He looks a little slower, but he’s definitely bigger. He’ll probably provide some blocking depth behind Logan Stokes, while Travis Dickson gets most of the passing work out of that group, for now.
Running backs
The coaches grouped with the fullbacks and quarterbacks early to work on QB/RB exchanges on zone plays. J.C. Copeland took a few handoffs as a lone ball carrier. Alfred Blue was still wearing a green no-contact uniform, but he looked smooth. He seemed to lead the backs, usually taking the first rep in each drill and running to the stations with the rest behind.
Jeremy Hill looks fit. He tried to sneak in one rep as a fullback, but the coaches didn’t let him. As trim as he looks, that’s probably a good call, even though we’re all aware of his powerful running.
Kenny Hilliard’s motor was definitely running. Of the three, he’s the least impressive to watch practice: he’s not the natural athlete Blue is nor the specimen Hill is. But he works hard, and you can bet he’s hungry after the sophomore slump of 2012.
Tight end Charles Mitchell worked with the running backs today, as well.
Magee-cat?
One interesting note in this period was that with all the backfield together, Cam Cameron worked on some zone read from the pistol. While nothing in-depth, the quarterbacks worked on their footwork, eye placement, and meshing in the zone read. The most interesting piece was that Terrance Magee took some Wildcat snaps.
It gets more interesting. As the pistol drills continued, Cameron introduced a “Cowboy” concept, where the quarterbacks read a corner blitz and throw a short hot route to the receivers. All the quarterbacks did so, and even Magee — a former high school quarterback — threw a couple of passes in the Cowboy read.
Keeping with the high-tempo style from Thursday, Cameron had the quarterbacks quickly pick up the Cowboy read, calling it “fast break basketball” — a nod to his days playing hoops for Bob Knight at Indiana.
Quarterbacks
After that, the QBs left the running backs — Magee included — for the receivers and did some throwing. Cameron maintained the high-pace work from yesterday.
Stephen Rivers looked a little off. It looks like he’s changed his arm slot and raised it some, and it led to a couple of high throws that sailed on him. His good throws are really good — his bad ones, however, are really bad.
Mettenberger looked as sharp as you’d expect. His knee was braced and still looked pretty stiff — he’s a step slow right now, which is saying something for him. But it didn’t bother his throwing. He was energetic too. He’s embracing some leadership, albeit on his own terms. He sprinted from station to station, was quite vocal, and was laughing and joking around in brief periods of rest from drill work.
Of the freshmen QB, Anthony Jennings looks the sharpest to me. His delivery is quick and compact. He throws a tight, accurate spiral on short balls. I didn’t see him stretch the field any.
Rettig looked good, too. He’s more vocal than Jennings and showed more noticeable body language. He makes a few mental mistakes here and there, though. He threw to the wrong receiver once, pegging Travis Dickson, who was watching another pass that was supposed to come his way.
Wide Receivers
I think this is where the most young players will get a chance to show their stuff.
James Wright and Armand Williams each had a couple of easy drops. I don’t see either of them factoring into the passing game much this season.
Kadron Boone has taken the forefront as the group leader. He and Mettenberger have a good chemistry.
John Diarse and Avery Peterson stood out. Peterson is a crisp route-runner with soft hands, but he’s got chicken legs that Tommy Moffit needs to do some magic on. Adam Henry and Frank Wilson stayed on him about his body language. Diarse, on the other hand, is built like a senior, but his technique needs work.
VIDEO FROM BBI (story continued below…)
DEFENSIVE REPORT
By LUKE JOHNSON
Tiger Rag Assistant Editor
Hidden behind a stacked group of linebackers, it appears sophomore Ronnie Feist is getting a shot to make the switch to defensive line this season.
Feist was working with the defensive linemen in individual drills. Sporting a 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame, he’d likely be used situationally as an edge rusher.
It’s worth noting Feist racked up 35 sacks in his final two seasons at West St. John High School, including 22 in his junior season.
Seniors Lamin Barrow and Tahj Jones, junior D.J. Welter and sophomores Kwon Alexander, Lamar Louis and Deion Jones were ahead of Feist on the depth chart at linebacker.
Feist was rated as a four-star linebacker coming out of high school. He had three tackles in five games as a true freshman last season.
LINING THEM UP
The defense did one team drill again, this time I was able to track down each player on each of the first two units. Feist worked in on the third team as a defensive end.
Again, this is only the second practice of the spring. There is a lot of time for this to change.
First team:
- Safeties: junior Ronald Martin and senior Craig Loston.
- Defensive backs: sophomores Jalen Mills and Jalen Collins
- Linebackers: seniors Lamin Barrow and Tahj Jones (outside) and junior D.J. Welter
- Defensive Ends: sophomore Danielle Hunter, junior Jermauria Rasco
- Defensive Tackles: juniors Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson
- Safeties: sophomores Jerqwinick Sandolph, and Micah Eugene
- Defensive backs: redshirt freshmen Dwayne Thomas and Derrick Raymond.
- Linebackers: sophomores Kwon Alexander, Deion Jones and Lamar Louis
- Defensive linemen: sophomore Mickey Johnson, junior Jordan Allen, sophomore Quentin Thomas, senior A’Trey-U Jones
FITTING THE MOLD
The sheer number of top-flight defensive backs hailing from Baton Rouge in recent years has prompted members of the Tigers defensive backfield to use the catchy title “DBU” to describe their university.
High first-round draft picks Patrick Peterson and Morris Claiborne preceded this year’s current crop of soon-to-be pros in Eric Reid, Tyrann Mathieu and Tharold Simon.
So who’s waiting in the wings? Sophomore Jalen Mills looked impressive in individual drills, and after a fine freshman season, could be next in the growing line of successful LSU defensive backs.
Mills showed off fluid athleticism in the defensive back drills Friday and also looks as though he’s added some size to his frame.
OVERHEARD
“You can’t lead from the back!” - special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, as players were moving from one drill to another.
NOTEWORTHY
Athletically, Louis and Barrow stood out among the linebacker corps during individual drills … Barrow, senior safety Craig Loston and junior defensive end Jordan Allen led each positional group during drills … sophomore defensive lineman Danielle Hunter (6-foot-5, 235 pounds) looks similar to former LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo - tall, lithe and athletic.
Les Miles post-practice quotes
Opening statement
“Two practices just wearing helmets. Tomorrow we’ll be in shoulder pads. The team’s really taken to the tempo of the practice, it’s really a very nice start.”
“I think our defense is maybe going to be ahead of where we were at different times a year ago. It really was a nice start”
“Tomorrow will be shoulder pads, so we’ll really get to see the personality of the team. It’s more likely we’ll have a nice physical practice.”
How has the offense taken to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s pace/system?
“It’s under development. It’s not necessarily finished with the players. Basically what has to happen is the offense has to accomplish it. It’s a challenge to them, and I think they’re really enjoying the challenge. They recognize there’s some real benefits to that style of play.”
What is junior center Elliott Porter’s health status?
“He’s got a medical issue. We don’t think it’s debilitating for any length of time. We’ll go at it as it’s appropriate. He’ll be worked back in sometime later this spring.”
On freshman Ethan Pocic getting some work at center.
“I think there’s a great opportunity for us to develop some depth there. We’re in really good shape that way.”
Ronnie Feist is working with the defensive linemen in practice, is that where you see him fitting into the mix this year?
“He’s a guy at linebacker that could step down and be physical enough to play (?) end, but he’s also a guy that could play ‘Mike.’ So when we put him in the game, they don’t really know how we might use him, so there’s also advantages there.”
Is it also a depth issue that you need him working in with the defensive linemen?
“Correct. No question.”
Did you give consideration to junior offensive lineman La’el Collins when former LSU left tackle Chris Faulk went down with injury last season?
“We thought about it very significantly, but with (former LSU offensive lineman Josh) Dworaczyk there, it was exactly the right thing to not move anybody. La’el was trained and capable at the guard, and Dworaczyk was trained and more capable at tackle than he was at guard. But we gave consideration because we think La’el Collins can do that.”
Going into this season with the purpose of getting him to slim down so he can slide out to tackle?
“He’s a guy that has the ability to think for himself and understand that you need to be more athletic when you move out to tackle. So he trimmed up.”
Did it help?
“He’s more athletic. Yeah, it’s helped him develop.”
Seen anything special from freshmen John Diarse, Avery Peterson and Travin Dural?
“Yeah, they’ve made some catches, but again, it’s too early for them to show and shine brightly.”
On junior running back Terrence Magee getting some snaps as the quarterback in the pistol formation.
“We like Terrence Magee, we think he’s a talented guy. He’s certainly a different style of back. Maybe a little bit ‘make you miss’ maybe a little bit of a darter. I think he’ll have a little bit of a package so we can give him the ball and get him some carries.”
He worked in at wide receiver last year, is he just a diversely talented guy?
“The good news is that he got a lot of balls thrown at him a year ago. That’ll make him a real threat coming out of the backfield.”
On Mettenberger and the new offense
“He’s having a blast. You can tell he’s just saying, ‘This is what I want to do. Let’s go do this.’”
First few days senior linebacker Lamin Barrow has been working outside, do you see him moving over to the middle as the spring progresses?
“We’re looking for the best three guys. Lamin is one of those. Where are those - is it (sophomore) Kwon Alexander and (senior) Tahj Jones? - who’s the next best? I think Lamin can play all three, and I think that’s an advantage.”
Who can replace Eric Reid as the cerebral leader of the secondary?
“Craig Loston is really stepping up and looking forward to being that guy. Ronald Martin I still think is a good player and I think Corey Thompson is going to be one of those guys where the more reps he gets the better he’s going to be.”
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