By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Following two mostly fruitless seasons, blighted by injury or limited snaps, Big Tank is hoping to bust out in year three.
Among LSU's truly empirical D-Line group, household D-Line names such as BJ Ojulari & Ali Gaye, watchlist warriors & expected breakouts Jaquelin Roy & Maason Smith, young edge-men Zavier Carter and Saivion Jones, plus the often mentioned #1-rated DL Transfer Mekhi Wingo, at times Jacobian Guillory isn't just overlooked, he's forgotten.
Due to his 2020 freshman injuries, right after an off-season full of momentum and expectation, as freshman DT sensation Maason Smith signed on, while Coach O preferred Joseph Evans next to Roy as a starter, Guillory didn't lodge a statistic and didn't make a single freshman appearance; in 2021, he needed a big year 2 or he could've lost even more ground.
Once again in year 2, reps were slim pickings....but there was improvement.
Only appearing in 4 games, amassing 9 tackles, 4 pressures, 1.5 TFLs and a 0.5 sack, Guillory did well to produce some big moments despite an overall lack of on field opportunities.
Two separate flags also removed an extra pair of sacks from his red shirt freshman repertoire, though his interior devastation still had its desired effect.
While buried on the depth chart, Guillory impressed throughout spring, bullying quarterbacks for sacks, busting through guards or centers, adding a few pressures and a smattering of backfield damage;
All combined with his solid tackling prowess and hulking thickness, notching 2 sacks and a broken up pass during the Spring Game itself, right now King Girth is enjoying his most confident days as a Tiger.
Paired with his brilliant, crowd-rousing intensity and on field emotion, LSU fans have always hoped for Guillory's success; Now in 2022, Tiger supporters can do much more than hope: finally able to root him on, game in.....game out.
Although he may seem far from a pronounced role, one injury can change everything.
If an injury befalls either Smith, Wingo or Roy, a major contributing role immediately opens up for big #90....he just has to stay healthy and take his chances.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
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