Lonn Phillips Sullivan
Mar 11, 20236 min
Updated: Mar 12, 2023
NEW UPDATE AT 10:05 PM CENTRAL ON SATURDAY
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
And so it begins....
2022 is in the rearviewmirror....LSU's epic 10 win season and first under Brian Kelly is now in the background, with all eyes on 2023 preparations, the 2023 roster, the 2023 identity of this team....
Well, let's start our quest to find out:
It all began with Brian Kelly's introductory press conference, sharing information about injuries, personnel availability, Nick Saban being soft, and the strides within the program since his arrival.
ON GARRETT NUSSMEIER'S OFFSEASON SURGERY:
Nuss had a "corrective surgery" and "will need another week or so before he's ready to participate in full practices."
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Later during LSU's first practice, we witnessed Nuss throwing passes during a few media available drills.
ON MAASON SMITH:
Brian Kelly revealed to ESPN that Smith would be a "non contact participant" in Spring ball. Fantastic news of his earlier recovery than expected.
ON PROGRAM PROGRESS:
"Collectively as a team, we couldn't talk in these terms last year. We were talking about how to practice, about not going on one knee, throwing your helmet, we were talking much more about emotional control....guys trying to figure out where they were and what their place was. So you can imagine, from my perspective and the coaches, it's great when you go into a drill and just talk about competing...and not about whether you won or lost the drill but whether you used really good technique at the top of the route......and because you used really good technique and your attention to detail there, you're gonna pick that off when we play XYZ.
So that was essentially what today was about, then we start to get into 'where's the matchups? Where do we need to develop somebody as a key backup or where do we need to develop a little more depth...or maybe where do we need to move a guy'.
But the next few days is really about that kind of mindset...what spring practice is about and what the objective is in spring practice.
So you can ask me about who looked good and who did what and I'll give you the best answers I can, but you can understand the mindset we all have going into this. How do we get our guys to understand total preparation?"
ON RBs:
"They're working through the injuries they've suffered (Josh & Armoni). Josh is closest. Armoni won't be back until fall camp. And you know, certainly Trey Holly is going to get a lot of work. Matter of fact, he grabbed me in the hallway...typically as a freshman, you can imagine there were some errors. He was looking for Coach Wilson and wanted to apologize. I told him 'Just show up, just show up every day, you're going to be fine'. He's got a great motor and a great attitude."
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Coach Kelly revealed John Emery Jr will be missing Spring practices until he "hits certain marks" academically."
ON WALKER HOWARD LEAVING / GARRETT NUSSMEIER STAYING:
"You want to do a good job of retention but sometimes it's out of your hands. And you know Garrett was out there today, even after he's had some corrective surgery....he was out there competing, throwing the football. He'll be another week or so before he's full go, but I think he's excited....I think Collins got a lot of work today. We have 3 really good quarterbacks."
ON MARLON MARTINEZ:
"We want him to stay. But as you know, there's another transfer portal. We are going to develop the guys that are on our roster, we're going to give the guys opportunities that we believe are right for our program. He's done a great job, he's re-shaping his body, he's getting first team reps because Charles (Turner) is out with an injury. But we won't know until after we finish Spring ball about his status with ...we hope he's here to stay."
ON TRANSFERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
"As it relates to players who are going to make an impact, I think it's clear some of the defensive guys we've brought in, Ovie Oghoufo, Omar Speights, (Jordan) Jefferson, to name a few are going to be guys that are going to be impactful.
I think the depth at the cornerback position, all of 'em are really talented players. Watching one on one today, it looked pretty good. There are somethings we'll continue to evaluate, it's day 1. But I'm confident the transfers that we brought in will make an impact, in particular on the defensive side of the ball."
ON AARON ANDERSON:
"Aaron Anderson is coming back from a surgery, so we haven't seen him yet. But we know about his story, how great of a high school player he was in the state. If he can carry that on to the field here at LSU, then...you know...we're penciling him in (laughs) somewhere...."
ON SEC SCHEDULE CHANGE / NICK SABAN'S DISPLEASURE WITH THE CHANGES:
“I want to play the best. I came down here to the SEC because I wanted to play against Alabama. I want to play A&M. I want to play Auburn, the great teams, and in our new scheduling, we get to play Alabama every year, Ole Miss every year, and A&M, and that’s really why I came down here.
I’ve been in this for three decades, and no disrespect to any of the other schools that we play outside of the SEC, but they just don’t excite me.
It prepares you for the opportunity to play for a conference championship but also the national championship.
“I think everybody has their take on the schedules. Nick has never backed down from a challenge. I’m not too worried about whether Nick Saban is going to have his team ready when he plays LSU. He’ll be ready.”
BEHIND THE PRACTICES
OUR THOUGHTS (will be updated):
-It is obvious Brian Kelly loves the addition of Ovie Oghoufo, LSU's new jack LB from Texas. He closely followed the new #17 throughout drills.
-Love what I saw from some freshmen here: Trey Holly, Ryan Yaites, Javien Toviano, Jaxon Howard, Mac Markway, and Jalen Brown all appear to belong physically and mentally.
They've got the demeanor to handle adversity in practice, take guidance from coaches or veterans, and the abundant talent / skill to push for starting spots.
They clearly belong as Tigers and SEC players.
Howard is as long as he is physically thick, the brutish brawn combined with intelligent speed off the ball.
Trey Holly received plenty of action due to Emery Jr, Williams and Goodwin being out.
He didn't disappoint, looking fluid, purposeful, and driven to succeed. Don't be surprised if #25 is out there during the season for reps.
Javien Toviano got his hands on a few passes, looking sharp throughout. He started with the 1st team!
Mac Markway is a hulking tight end, arriving on campus already in peak condition and shape; he frightened LSU's strength and conditioning staff with his brilliance throughout January and February, setting the standard for his fellow freshmen.
Jalen Brown could be a starter in year one and I wouldn't bat an eyelash; he's just that good.
Brown looked ready, not just as a receiver, but showing strength, panache and intensity when blocking on the outside, showcasing his penchant for the details.
-Much has been made of Jayden Daniels wearing a visor....i don't care. It means nothing; if it helps him see better, great. If it can protect him, then even better.
What I did notice?
His quicker release, better touch on the deep ball, and an ability to throw the ball with more zip......in 2022, at times Daniels floated the ball towards receivers, often resulting in batted passes, a couple INTs, and worst of all....receivers making the catch with nowhere to go, garnering little or no yards after catch.
-Jackson McGohan and Mac Markway will definitely receive reps alongside Mason Taylor in 12 personnel (2 tight end formations). Markway is hulking, bruising and though he's coming back from a season-ending injury as a senior, Markway is in impressive, peak condition right now.
McGohan is a little rustier physically, although he may possess the more polished game.
-At WR, there's a chance for Chris Hilton Jr to pass over Kyren Lacy on the depth chart. While the absent / injured Aaron Anderson is likely to be a top 3 receiver for LSU in 2023, Hilton Jr is looking really good through the first few days of practice. Showcasing all the speed, ball skills and 1 v 1 hops we all witnessed during his days at Zachary.
-CB transfer Denver Harris is viewed as a possible starter; accordingly, he has played with the 1st team frequently.
-Though Javien Toviano & Denver Harris started with the first team, I'm told by sources with the staff that LSU are rotating at CB. Many guys will get a shot out wide, including sophomore Laterrance Welch.
-S/NB/CB Sage Ryan produced an interception and pass break up during 1 v 1 drills.
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
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