by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
With conditioning tests finished and fully-padded practices just around the corner, our 2021 stud receivers are now firmly present, suiting up and ready for LSU Tigers football action; Accordingly, Head Coach Ed Orgeron's coaching staff finally had an in depth look at their new guys for the first time.
Alongside a deep room of upperclassmen waiting to pop, LSU's new breed of 2021 freshmen receivers should elevate Mickey Joseph's wide receiving room to a seat atop college football's Biletnikoff throne.
Here we have some juicy scouting notes on the youngest additions to LSU's 2021 receiving corps:
-Outside of the imperious Kayshon Boutte, the two receivers who stood out most were Deion Smith and Chris Hilton Jr, both being supremely physical at the line of scrimmage, crisp and deceptive in the trajectory of their route running, while possessing terminal athletic velocity after the catch.
Due to his battling ability (even while recovering from a broken toe), Deion strikes the staff as more of an intermediary possession receiver capable of the home run deep shot, however Hilton Jr appears to be a slot weapon Jake Peetz may motion into the backfield on occasion.
The staff are loving both and see these two as prime contributors in the months ahead.
Malik Nabers poses a threat in a variety of scenarios, able to play anywhere across the formation, though his real talents lie in his one on one mastery.
Nabers is a mismatch weapon due to his unbridled technique, deceiving turn of pace and overall aerial dominance, though the staff see him as a prospect more likely to erupt in year two.
His mature intensity has drawn a lot of praise from inside LSU HQ, and I expect that poise to be rewarded with the necessary reps.
BRIAN THOMAS JR
Brian Thomas Jr has the 6'4 size comparable to Terrace Marshall, yet he still must adapt to the more physical side of the game.
Thomas Jr has all the tools to be a 1st or 2nd Round NFL Draft talent, such is his wide ranging prowess: as a junior, the young man averaged 17.1 yards per catch, caught just under 1,700 yards and showcased strong finishing with 17 TDs (his yards per grab only dipped to 16.9 as a senior).
Thomas Jr mixes the profile of Marshall's height and the after catch power of Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson, completely capable of becoming an LSU dynamo...but will he shine as a freshman?
Patience was the word I'm hearing when it comes to Brian Thomas Jr's development and rise....LSU understand the value of patience with a prospect like the former two sport star out of Walker High.
JACK BECH
Jack Bech continues a rampage that's just boiling under the surface....a young man who's making waves in Baton Rouge upon arrival, not only for his high character but also his expansive catch radius, bursts of pace in stride, above average deep ball range, all alongside some bruising strength off the line, shifty turbulence through the route and a surprising power / finesse combo after the catch.
We knew he had all that in him from his days at St Thomas More, however it's Bech's pure confidence that's really turned the staff on to the freshman and they're eager to see how he reacts to constant reps against LSU's top of the line secondary.
Bech has adapted beautifully to life as a Tiger thus far, with Peetz already scheming up "neat ways of getting him the rock".
Overall, Mickey Joseph and the rest of LSU's staff are highly impressed & intrigued so far by the progress of their debutant squad members, viewing these freshmen as strong potential candidates for any top 5 receiver role.
There is an emphasis squared on putting the best guys out there, no matter who they are, what formations must be deployed, or how the offense will be run....and considering the versatility of Boutte, Moore, Kirklin, the speed of Palmer, and the aerial dominion of Jenkins, alongside these freshmen, you can't blame our staff for opening up the race.
The Race Is On for LSU's starting 4 receivers....who will they be?
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
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