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Tinker Town Tiger
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TUESDAY TIDBITS: YOUR DAILY DOSE OF TIGER NEWS DELIVERED IN A BAKER’S DOZEN QUICK HITTERS
1. Good news on the “player retention” front keeps rolling in, as LSU senior defensive tackle Glen Logan has announced he’s coming back for a sixth season. In case you’ve lost track, this means the entire 2020 starting defensive line will return. Fellow starters Neil Farrell, Andre Anthony and Ali Gaye had previously said they’re coming back.
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2. Just think about how deep and talented LSU’s 2021 D-line will be. In addition to the five starters named above, LSU returns guys like BJ Ojulari, Jaquelin Roy and Jacobian Guillory who all will challenge for starting roles, as well as five-star signee Mason Smith who many believe will be a starter from Day 1. And that’s without even mentioning sophomore Eric Taylor and newcomers Bryce Langston, Landon Jackson, and Saivion Jones. (Jones has currently listed a “commitment” but we fully expect him to be part of the incoming class.) Whoever is hired to coach LSU’s defensive line sure will have an embarrassment of riches with which to work.
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3. Likewise LSU’s offensive line will return at least three of its five starters. Center Liam Shanahan and guards Chasen Hines and Ed Ingram have already announced they are returning, while tackles Dare Rosenthal and Austin Deculus have yet to say one way or the other. It’s worth noting that because of all the talent returning (and coming in) on the defensive line, there’s a good chance we’ll see Joseph Evans moved back to the offensive line. When thinking about LSU’s recruiting needs on the O-line, that’s something to keep in the back of your mind.
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4. In total, LSU is set to returning at least 17 of the 22 starters on offense and defense and three of the four primary special teams spots. The only three starters from the end of last season who have announced they are moving on to the NFL draft are JaCoby Stevens, Jabril Cox, and Zach Von Rosenberg, and I don’t think any Tiger fan would begrudge their decisions.
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5. Getting back at least four seniors and several draft-eligible juniors obviously help from a talent and experience standpoint, but it also goes a long way in augmenting the number of players on LSU’s roster, which had slipped to a dangerously low level. Remember, at one point in the season the number of available scholarship players fell to below the minimum requirement of 53 (due in large part to COVID quarantine). Teams are allowed to have 85 scholarship players, though in LSU’s case the athletic department has self-imposed an eight scholarship reduction over the next two seasons.
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6. Here’s an updated running list of players who have confirmed they are staying or leaving, or have not yet announced either way.
Confirmed Returning:
Glen Logan (Sr. DT)
Andre Anthony (Sr. DE)
Ed Ingram (Jr. OG)
Chasen Hines (Jr. RG)
Neil Farrell (Sr. DE)
Ali Gaye (Jr. DE)
Liam Shanahan (Sr. C)
Confirmed Leaving:
Jabril Cox (Sr. LB)
Zach Von Rosenberg (Sr. P)
Racey McMath (Sr. WR)
Tory Carter (Sr. RE/FB)
Unconfirmed draft-eligible:
Micah Baskerville (Jr. LB)
Damone Clark (Jr. LB)
Austin Deculus (Sr. RT)
Darren Evans (Sr. CB)
Todd Harris, Jr. (Jr. S)
Jaray Jenkins – (So. WR)
Jontre Kirklin (Sr. WR)
Cam Lewis (Sr. S)
Dare Rosenthal (So. LT)
Ray Thornton (Sr, LB)
Cam Wire (So. LT)
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7. In coaching-related news, Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reports that LSU is meeting this week with Panthers QB coach Jake Peetz and offensive assistant DJ Mangas. Peetz is reportedly targeted for the offensive coordinator position and Mangas for the passing game coordinator position. Both worked under Joe Brady in Carolina, and Mangas was an LSU analyst during the 2019 title season who worked closely with Brady and Steve Ensminger. For those of you looking to become more familiar with Peetz, here’s a good video interview titled, “How Carolina Panthers QB Coach Jake Peetz prepares for the season & life at home with his 5 kids.”
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8. One name you can scratch off of any potential LSU offensive coordinator list (he was never on my published list) is current BYU OC and former LSU OL coach Jeff Grimes. Baylor is set to hire Grimes as its new OC, where he’ll reunite with Dave Aranda who is the Bears’ head coach. Aranda is getting a good one in Grimes. He led the nation’s No. 3 scoring offense in 2020.
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9. As for defensive coordinator candidates, LSU is expected to meet with Marcus Freeman later this week. Freeman is a hot commodity and is on several team’s shortlist. Reports indicate that Freeman will be interviewing with Notre Dame as well and that Auburn and Texas are highly interested in him too.
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10. Freeman is definitely high on LSU’s list, but there are others up there as well. Three other hot names are Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, former NFL coach Kris Richard, and Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom.
11. The LSU women’s basketball team pulled off a big come-from-behind overtime win against Ole Miss in Oxford, 77-69. Here’s a report on how they did it, courtesy of LSUSports.net. With the win, LSU improved to 4-4 overall and 2-0 in SEC play.
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12. The LSU men’s basketball returns to action tomorrow with a home contest against Georgia. That contest will tip-off at 6 p.m. and will air on the SEC Network. Look for more on the matchup in tomorrow’s report.
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13. Lagniappe: I’ve added a new dish to our collection of recipes. Granted, it’s not as exciting as Bacon-wrapped, Boudin and Cream Cheese-stuffed, Pork Tenderloin, or Catfish Fettuccine Alfredo, or Cajun Shrimp Stew, but it is pretty healthy and satisfying on a cold winter’s night. I’m talking about this simple Broccoli Cheese Soup, which you might find useful at this time of year if you are a gardener like I am, or if you’ve decided to eat healthier for the new year. If you give it a try, let me know what you think.
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