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by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN @LonnPhillips
Traditionally, hype and hyperbole have both long been the jagged stone to a journalist's face, but when referring to LSU's freshman WR colossus Jack Bech, LSU Odyssey always understood just what kind of elite pass-catching force the Tigers possess...even before he held an LSU offer.
If you check out our 2021 profile, you can see we felt he'd be a freshman star, you can see from our top two freshmen predictor: we believed he'd fast become a savage presence on this team thirsting for mismatches.
Well, others were skeptical, believing he'd be pegged far down a list of receivers, even behind second year TE Kole Taylor. But after two games in this already embattled, entrenched, maddening 2021 LSU season, freshman Jack Bech has risen up to the mantle, ready to shoulder the offensive responsibility.
Finishing vs McNeese as LSU's leading receiver with 4 catches for 57 yards, Bech is already the team's 4th leading gainer among other established LSU stars Boutte, TDP, and just 6 yards behind junior Trey Palmer while receiving fewer targets (74 yards and 5 catches).
Just like Kayshon Boutte, Bech will need to be given the ball far more if LSU are to succeed, such is the power of his mismatch and home run-hitting capabilities. A bigger version of Boutte, Jack can score from anywhere on the field, I testify to that...I've seen him pull it off.
Those who think he's a tight end, designing their scheme to attack Bech's perceived weaknesses, find out otherwise extremely quick. Meanwhile, opponents who feel he's not big enough to block with a hand in the dirt (like a traditional TE) are finding Bech to be at the top of LSU's most physical offensive players on the line of scrimmage.
Now hearing LSU Legend Jacob Hester lauding his blocking abilities in comparison to our woeful OL, or WR Kayshon Boutte talk about what a "big factor he is" who's "catching every pass coming his way", his stock is at an all time high.
Yet he remains humble, never entitled: this young man is raised the right way and comes from a Tiger Legacy family, through his Uncle Brett. He knows what it takes.
Over these first two hollow team performances of 2021, St Thomas More product Jack Bech has been a badass when LSU needed someone, anyone to provide a spark...and the Lafayette-native masterpiece is about to geaux from overlooked titan to certified genius.
Next for Jack?
Developing a honed-in chemistry alongside QB Max Johnson and finishing off these tasty YAC displays with some touchdowns to his name....but his own answer?
"Win games for LSU."
LSU 2021 STATS
74 Yards
5 Catches
6 Targets
14.8 Per Catch
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc