Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers completed Day 14 of the preseason package on Saturday, with a media tour focusing on special teams and situational offense.
We saw the Tigers go into the red zone and the goal line and wreak havoc in practice this week, but Saturday was a more balanced picture after Garrett Nussmeier settled in.
Here are the first findings from the 14th day of the fall camp:
– LSU OL DJ Chester was absent from Saturday’s practice. He skated as the first-team center during fall camp.
– LSU WR Jelani Watkins remains out with a sprained foot and ankle. He was seen on the sidelines Saturday wearing boots and crutches.
– LSU DT Jacobian Guillory continues to participate fully in practice after suffering an injury scare during practice on Tuesday, appearing completely healthy and without limitations throughout all 22 practices.
– LSU WR Chris Hilton suffered a minor injury that kept him out of action for part of Saturday’s practice. It’s a minor injury to his lower leg, though, and Brian Kelly says he’ll be OK.
– LSU offensive lineman DJ Chester was absent on Saturday. Garrett Dellinger filled in as the first-team center. Tyree Adams filled in at right guard.
– Will Campbell (LT), Tyree Adams (LG), Garrett Dellinger (C), Miles Frazier (RG) and Emery Jones (RT) played on the first team offensive line.
– LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green made the catch of the day during 7-on-7 play on a ball from Rickie Collins in the left back of the end zone. Green caught the ball over PJ Woodland for the two.
– LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier showed impressive moments Saturday. He connected with CJ Daniels over the middle on an intermediate route, and the two developed a close relationship.
– In 11-on-11 play, LSU’s offense played well, with Kaleb Jackson scoring a point during a situational drill and Zavion Thomas and John Emery also reaching the end zone.
– During an 11-on-11 game at the goal line, Kyren Lacy caught a touchdown pass from Nussmeier in the back right corner of the end zone. He has yet to drop a ball during media events. Simply an exceptional camp from the senior wide receiver.
– Shelton Sampson also had some problems with Nussmeier’s shots in the 11-on-11 game.
– First-team defense remains the same: Sa’vion Jones (EDGE), Gio Paez (DT), Jacobian Guillory (DT), Bradyn Swinson (EDGE), Harold Perkins (LB), Greg Penn (LB), Major Burns (STAR), Ashton Stamps (CB), Sage Ryan (CB), Jardin Gilbert (S) and Jordan Allen (S).
– The LSU defense continues to use blitz packages in 11-on-11 drills. It seems to get the team rolling on every play, with Harold Perkins and Major Burns disrupting the offense’s rhythm on most drills. It was a key takeaway that Blake Baker will get the team rolling on a regular basis with his variety of plays.
– On the second team, it was Javien Toviano as a STAR and Kylin Jackson as a safety who were sent on blitz packages. We saw Jackson come into the backfield to disrupt a play that ultimately saw PJ Woodland make the interception on a toe tap play.
– Bradyn Swinson has looked good this week in training camp and is just getting back into the swing of things, beating Emery Jones on the right side and recording a sack on 11-on-11 play.
– Jay’Viar Sugga continued his great week during the live periods on Saturday after making tackles for loss in the backfield. The second team defense was impressive. Da’Shawn Womack is a star and the interior defensive line was solid as well.
– The defense showed a different package. It was a 4-3 performance with Whit Weeks on the first team for Jordan Allen. A unique performance for the defense, but Blake Baker hasn’t been afraid to give the offense different packages.
– Sai’vion Jones has had an incredible training camp this month. He has looked good and continues to win 1v1 duels in training against Emery Jones. He did it again on Saturday.
– Javien Toviano has taken over the STAR role behind Major Burns and Ju’Juan Johnson, but he is expected to earn the backup spot before the end of camp. He is starting to take steps in the right direction.
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