Lonn Phillips Sullivan
Aug 14, 20215 min
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
On Saturday afternoon, LSU will geaux to work within the confines of Death Valley, engaging in battle for their first scrimmage of fall camp.
After a week of building intensity, Coach O's Tigers should come out of the traps with a fuse lit, ready to explode.
Who, what, and where are we watching closest throughout Saturday's full throated scrum??
INJURIES OFFER CHANCES
With CB Dwight McGlothern out after suffering an ankle sprain, DT Glen Logan out with a broken bone in his foot, while Derek Stingley Jr and Ty Davis-Price are nursing minor bumps for Saturday's scrimmage, the Tiger on Tiger violence parade will be a chance for LSU's back up corners, running backs and a DT to shine:
Which means all eyes on Raydarious Jones at CB opposite Eli Ricks:
"Raydar" Jones joined the Tigers as a 2019 DBU freshman alongside Stingley Jr, Jay Ward, and Cordale Flott, although in comparison to the other names aboard this list, he's received far less opportunities.
Showcasing stronger coverage during this past Spring game, snatching his first major interception as a Tiger, picking off a dandy near the sideline.
I've heard he's been stepping up lately, however nothing can confirm that upward trajectory more than if Jones can seize his opportunity among a deep cornerback room.
At running back, of course John Emery Jr will take the bulk of LSU's snaps, although I'm hearing the Tigers' offensive staff are favoring the development of Kiner & Goodwin at this moment.
Kevin Faulk and Jake Peetz see rapid, rep by rep development from TDP, Kiner and Goodwin, but they are still feeling John is inconsistent.
They're wanting to see Emery's game mature & evolve.
Following freshman Corey Kiner's "social media exploding" stiff arm on senior Todd Harris, a growing contingent of LSU's fanbase are hungry for both Kiner and Goodwin to receive playing time.
They definitely will this Saturday, keeping us in suspense: we're wondering what kind of human highlights these two outrageous freshmen backs will produce during the scrimmage.
Due to Glen Logan's absence, watch for Neil Farrell Jr and Joe Evans to solidify the veteran spots along the interior, while underrated Tigers like Jacobian Guillory will receive increased snaps.
THE VETERANS AT LINEBACKER
Yes, I have been really looking forward to watching more of Greg Penn III, Josh White or Antoine Sampah, however the linebackers are fast becoming a rare position group on our 2021 roster:
A unit where the definitive on-field strength may lie with the elder statesmen...and these aren't the guys you thought would be in this position in December 2020:
A linebacker from Clemson, the miraculous & hard earned rise of Jared Small, a resurgent Micah Baskerville, and a JUCO transfer from Mississippi could form the core of Blake Baker's starting linebackers.
I'll be keeping a keen eye trained on Jared Small, watching for his continued tackling brilliance; he's been taking all the right angles in 2021, throughout spring and fall camp.
Small hasn't been too flashy (outside of his forced fumble & interception during his 14 tackle Spring game performance), he's simply providing exactly what this unit need:
Strong, efficient tackling, taking smart angles, issuing devastating hits, and communicating well on the field....Small is bringing all the fundamentals back home.
Mike Jones Jr gave his first interview as a Tiger the other day, and it'll be even more revealing when we see what Jones Jr can provide....this is why LSU brought him in: elite athleticism, freakish ball skills, organization....he wants to play linebacker in the SEC...and we're about to find out if he can.
I love his transfer addition, as well as his chances at becoming a key player for LSU.
Baskerville is fresh off some strong Fall Camp practices, picking off our starting quarterback and bringing the ball back on a nice return. Remember, Micah is athletic as hell....just look at his special teams play during 2019, returning one onside kick nearly for a TD and scoring a blocked punt.
Where will #18 Damone Clark fit in?
Could the linebackers' fearless leader be found more readily on the sidelines this fall?
Could one new kid on the block, Navonteque Strong take over his place as an LSU starter?
Forget numbers, seniority or status, every job is up for grabs.
HOW MAX RUNS THE OFFENSE
As we highlighted in our recent offensive / QB profile, Max Johnson is now the undisputed starting quarterback, the anticipated fall camp QB battle between himself and Myles Brennan wouldn't even take place.
So, now it's about getting Max to feel as comfortable as possible within Jake Peetz's full throttle offensive set up. Since he's taken over, Max has rocketed elite practice touchdowns to Jaray Jenkins, 3 to Kayshon Boutte, a few to Brian Thomas Jr, Chris Hilton and Deion Smith, And, while throwing a few interceptions during practices this week, Johnson will be eager to correct those errors (mostly just forcing the ball into coverage).
MAJOR BURNS: THE REAL DEAL?
It isn't just his unbelievable one handed interception that's bringing the attention Major Burns' way....
He's also completing last man tackles LSU's safeties were unable to achieve, knocking the crap out of anyone in his path with the swagger & "beef" of a linebacker, possesses the ball skills of a solid corner, while sporting a chip on his shoulder that has chiseled boys into men of championship merriment.
I believe, especially after watching certain safeties continue to showcase the worst aspects of their game time and time again, Major Burns alongside Jay Ward are far and away the starting safety tandem at LSU right now.
Burns hasn't been perfect, he's not Ronnie Lott out there, however he's performing the exact tasks LSU's defense need most: clinical sound football backed by daring playmaking.
LSU Odyssey has endorsed the former Madison Prep prospect, upholding our love for his game once again here.
THE DERRICK DAVIS HYPE COOLS OFF
What happened to 2021 freshman Derrick Davis Jr's confidence?
After his arrival on campus from Pennsylvania, Davis became one of the most quoted names out of Head Coach Ed Orgeron's mouth, with every staff member going out of their way to talj up the ripped young hybrid defender.
Despite forcing a Jontre Kirklin fumble during the Spring Game, Davis was beaten over the top for a long touchdown that same afternoon; now during fall camp, Derrick continues to show a lack of confidence, getting juked by Armoni Goodwin, run over by Ty Davis-Price, beaten over the middle....he's struggled at times.....and on Saturday, I want to see #6 rebound big by making some great plays.
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc