By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN FOLLOW US @LonnPhillips After weeks of Spring practices, a handful we've witnessed in the flesh, we asked ourselves, what kind of squad does Head Coach Brian Kelly have on hand for 2023?? Now, we ask you, dear reader, that same question, all while combing through the intricacies of this team. What immediately sticks out to us? Just like 2022, Kelly's staff won't be afraid to lean heavily on new transfers, or their elite level youth: But unlike last season, LSU find themselves without a proven veteran presence on defense or offensive line, losing such stalwarts as Jay Ward, BJ Ojulari, Micah Baskerville, Jaquelin Roy, and Anthony Bradford to the NFL Draft. Even though other, younger veterans exist on roster, Mekhi Wingo, Malik Nabers, Josh Williams, Garrett Nussmeier, Garrett Dellinger, Charles Turner, Major Burns, Greg Brooks Jr, Jacobian Guillory, and Maason Smith, five of those players are recovering from significant injuries with limited participation or complete absence during spring.
Right now, the makeup of the team is rooted in plenty of freshmen, red shirt freshmen, transfers, and some key pillar sophomores & juniors starting at major positions all over the field. That's why we're seeing Ryan Yaites, Jeremiah Hughes, Trey Holly, Javien Toviano, Jalen Brown, Kyle Parker, Jaxon Howard, Denver Harris, and both freshmen TEs Mac Markway & Jackson McGohan receiving plenty of starting Spring reps.
Hell, even offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is lauding LSU's third freshman tight end Ka'Morreun Pimpton, saying he "couldn't wait" for his June arrival. Once veterans return from injury this summer, as expected by all accounts from Head Coach Brian Kelly, you'll likely see the balance of power shift back to more established & recognized Tigers, though not as much as you'd expect, specifically on defense: Freshmen such as DE Jaxon Howard, CB/NB Javien Toviano, LB Whit Weeks, and safety Ryan Yaites all show they have what it takes to step up to the plate immediately.
While 2022's team featured the rise of four freshmen starters, Emery Jones, Harold Perkins Jr, Will Campbell, and Mason Taylor, 2023 could produce even more breakout debutants. Plus, LSU's offense will receive a big boost in June when another crop of remarkable 2023 freshmen arrive: Three highly touted OL (Will Campbell's former Neville teammate Lance Heard, DJ Chester, Tyree Adams), one of...if not the most athletic DL on the team upon arrival (DaShawn Womack), another 5 star WR out of Louisiana (Shelton Sampson Jr), alongside one high 4 star running back with a special athletic profile (Kaleb Jackson) & the aforementioned freshman tight end Ka'Morreun Pimpton (who may very well be the most explosive 2023 freshman we list today, such is Pimpton's 1 v 1 aerial dominance & Denbrock's tight end heavy target ratio). That's just the true freshmen: LSU possesses a pair of red shirt freshmen with limited experience yet high potential: inner-SEC transfers with LSU ties, former 5 star Edna Karr WR Aaron Anderson & former 5 star CB Denver Harris. Aside from youth, LSU's depth is shrouded in mystery: Chunks of Brian Kelly's squad are either unknown quantities, transfers or Tigers with high ceilings who've taken longer to pop. Returning Tigers like Jacobian Guillory, Quency Wiggins, Chris Hilton Jr, Marlon Martinez, LT Welch, Bryce Langston, Jordan Allen, Fitz West Jr and Tygee Hill are all promising pieces on roster, even with minimal past production or opportunities.
Then, at the center of 2023's roster uncertainty?
LSU's nearly twenty new transfer portal additions, with multiple guys still out injured or absent throughout spring (Duce Chestnut, Aaron Anderson, Jordan Jefferson, Mason Lunsford) while we've been able to get a sustained look at Denver Harris, BK-favorite Ovie Oghoufo, Jalen Lee, & automatic LB starter / adopted defensive leader Omar Speights.
LSU also possess some key walk on studs such as linebacker Seth Scott, special teams specialist Gregory Clayton Jr, edge rusher Prince Malbrue, and speed freak Javen Nicholas. Still, there are proven Tiger leaders with experience on this squad, from receivers Malik Nabers (returning after his 1,000 yard sophomore campaign) & Bian Thomas Jr (2nd on the team with 5 TDs), All-Americans Maason Smith & Mekhi Wingo along the defensive line, junior linebacker Greg Penn III (2nd most tackles last fall with 78, before nearly leaving the team last transfer cycle), likely starter Saivion Jones (4.5 sacks & 6 TFLs off the bench), as Garrett Dellinger (entering his third year), Charles Turner (one of the final remaining 2019 Tigers), Miles Frazier and Marlon Martinez anchor the offensive line, Major Burns & Greg Brooks Jr start at safety if healthy, four superstar sophomores aim for a hardcore sequel (Perkins, Jones, Campbell & Taylor).....and of course the quarterback....it all starts at the quarterback position: LSU's mostly criticized, often jaw dropping quarterback and his highly skilled backup: No doubt about it, this is Jayden Daniels' team....Head Coach Brian Kelly handed JD5 the keys to the locker room late last season, while offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock scripted LSU's entire offense around Daniels' next-level athleticism. Regardless of 2022's 10 wins, Daniels' commanding performances for 90% of the campaign, coupled with high pre-season rankings or awards season forecast bluster, don't expect Daniels to rest on his laurels. He's beefed up considerably, thickening his upper body during the offseason while he works on his craft with a wide range of trainers, including former NFL / BYU QB John Beck at one point.
However, we've yet to see the fruits of his offseason labors just yet, as Daniels wasn't throwing the ball much during media availability (or otherwise), though LSUOdyssey.com captured some of the only footage of Daniels throwing to receivers during practices in 2023. Following his late season injury right before (& during) the SEC Championship Game, next to his long list of weapons at the ready, the former Arizona State starter should sense the utmost expectation to deliver the football to his playmakers on the outside.
Can JD5 finish another season unharmed while rushing the ball 186 times?
He couldn't last year, getting hurt in multiple games and taking more sacks than any LSU quarterback in program history.....brutal hits which affected his performances vs Tennessee, Florida State, Arkansas and A&M. Interestingly enough, Daniels tossed his best game all season against eventual SEC & National Champion Georgia...Jayden's ankle injury forcing the Tigers quarterback to finally trust his passing attack.
Backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is still practicing as if he's the starter, throwing with panache even as he recovers from an offseason shoulder surgery. Nussmeier remains committed to the Tigers, right now, although he's long been expected to transfer in order to start (TCU a likely hypothetical destination).
LSU only need to get through this current transfer cycle in order to breathe a sigh of relief concerning their QB room....and Nussmeier is a crucial part of its stability.
As for the passing game we hope to be unlocked much further in 2023, there is no shortage of weapons for Mike Denbrock's offense: Despite losing 1st Round talent Kayshon Boutte and Jaray Jenkins to the upcoming NFL Draft, WRs Coach Cortez Hankton and WRs Analyst Carter Sheridan actually run a deeper, possibly more talented unit than 2022 WRU, with 3 different freshmen capable of producing solid contributions (Jalen Brown, Kyle Parker & Shelton Samson Jr).
Alongside their deep tight ends group, Daniels & Denbrock's offensive staff will have no shortage of playmaking targets.
But at every stage, in every phase, at almost every position, protecting their players' health and retaining LSU's roster to the fullest are looking to be the biggest keys for a successful season in 2023.
Whether LSU can usurp Brian Kelly's first year 10 win magic or regress in year 2 will partly depend upon the health & availability of this squad's most experienced Tigers. The number of injuries is staggering, with these Tigers either currently missing through Spring or recovering from injury in some form or fashion: MEKHI WINGO MAASON SMITH DUCE CHESTNUT CHARLES TURNER MASON TAYLOR AARON ANDERSON MILES FRAZIER ARMONI GOODWIN JOSH WILLIAMS JALEN BROWN
JORDAN JEFFERSON MAJOR BURNS
CHRIS HILTON JR GREG BROOKS JR GARRETT NUSSMEIER That's quite a lengthy and altogether ugly list of injuries or Tigers who are only just recovering...and we're sure that isn't everyone.
While 2023 LSU's current injury status isn't anything to freak out about just yet, it's definitely something to monitor as we head through summer.
You can also add the curious case of John Emery Jr's continued academic rollercoaster as another stinging absence; After cutting it much too close toward another NCAA suspension for a third straight season, LSU's 2019 national title-winning running back was reportedly suspended in-house by Head Coach Brian Kelly, forced to work out at the neighboring U-High campus until he can raise his grades.
Another playmaking veteran, returning after a career high in yards and touchdowns last year, now, off-field academic issues threaten his season for the third consecutive year.
There may be Tigers missing through Spring, but I have a feeling if half of these guys needed the reps, they'd be out there. Instead, LSU's 2023 Spring is serving a dual purpose: bolstering the Tigers' depth at the most opportune & unlikely time through Spring reps, while giving banged up stalwarts like Maason Smith, Mason Taylor, Mekhi Wingo, etc a chance to heal properly ahead of what will be a grueling season....a campaign where LSU will be cast as "the hunted" for the first time during the Brian Kelly era. What is most impressive about this team?
They're hungry because they smell blood in the water. Carrying the kind of winning mentality & swagger these players showcased last fall, right as Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, and Florida face an identity crisis on staff & at quarterback, 2023 LSU could compete for a national championship....if most of the pieces to the puzzle are present....which is, of course, LSU's main concern right now. By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN FOLLOW @LonnPhillips ©️ Uninterrupted Writings Inc