College football teams across the country are preparing for the 2024 season, getting in some much-needed practice in fall workouts and scrimmages, but according to head coach Brian Kelly, LSU Tigers players are limited in some ways because of a virus that has spread through the roster.
In his press conference on SaturdayKelly revealed that some of his players were struggling with the disease. “We had a virus circulating, a lower gastrointestinal virus. Through the O-line. And Emery Jones was very affected by it today. You could see him going in and out. He probably shouldn’t have been out there, but you couldn’t stop him from training. He was suffering because of it. We sent him home,” explained Kelly.
“I don’t know how Pentecost weeks And West Weeks made it through training. They had a similar virus. We sprayed the offices. We cleaned them. But you know, we’re fighting this now with a number of people,” Kelly said.
Kelly also stated that Tigers offensive lineman DJ Chester was absent from practice on Saturday due to the virus/illness, according to multiple reports on social media.
The good news for Jackson and the Tigers offensive line is that they will have an elite offensive line unit back for the 2024-2025 season. In football, everything starts up front and the battle in the trenches is always the most critical. This will make life easier for the Tigers running backs: Jackson, Josh Williams, John EmeryAnd Caden Durham.
More about Kaleb Jackson’s college and high school career
Last fall, in his first season at LSU, Jackson finished his season with 31 carries for 165 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He was also a weapon in the return game, returning 10 kickoffs for a total of 249 yards. Jackson also made six catches in his first season.
A local, he played high school football for Liberty Magnet School in Baton Rouge. In the 2023 cycle, he was rated as the No. 12 running back prospect in America and a four-star prospect, according to On3 Industry Rankings. He received an invitation to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Jackson had a breakout season in 2021, rushing for 2,031 yards and 29 touchdowns and averaging 14.7 yards per carry. He averaged 184.6 rushing yards per game. As a receiver, he recorded 21 catches for 394 yards and four touchdowns.
A highly coveted recruit in the 2024 cycle, Durham competed for the Duncanville Panthers, one of the most dominant programs in the country. Blessed with tremendous speed and skill, Durham was part of the Duncanville track and field team that broke the national record in the 4 x 200 meter relay. According to Reel AnalyticsHis in-game athleticism score was 83.9. Additionally, his top speed was measured at 21.6 mph, which placed him in the 94th percentile of running backs nationwide.
The LSU Tigers will open their 2024 season with a highly anticipated game against the USC Trojans, scheduled for Sunday, September 1. The game will be played in Las Vegas, Nevada at Allegiant Stadium – home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
