LSU’s 2024 projected offensive depth chart (Aug. 1)
LSU began fall camp on Thursday afternoon and with it came the Tigers first chance to shuffle up lineups and test out players in different positions for the 2024 season. We covered the standouts and our notes from the first day of practice earlier today. Now, we take what we saw from the first couple hours of practice and put it into a projection for the what LSU’s depth chart will look like for the first game of the season against USC.
Quarterback
Starter: Garrett Nussmeier
Backup: Rickie Collins
Nussmeier is obviously going to start and play the entire season for LSU, but the competition comes at QB2 where Rickie Collins and AJ Swann battle it out. Both had a healthy amount of snaps on Thursday, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Collins gains the edge and continues to look better as camp continues.
Running back
Starter: Josh Williams
Backup: Kaleb Jackson
These two are interchangeable as both will get a vast majority of the carries and snaps. Williams is still a better receiver and pass blocker, but Jackson has certainly bulked up and is an incredible athlete who will get a lot of opportunities this year. RB3 is probably John Emery as he was active throughout practice, even as he comes off of an ACL tear last season.
Wide receiver
Starters: Kyren Lacy, CJ Daniels, Chris Hilton
Backups: Zavion Thomas, Aaron Anderson, Kyle Parker
Lacy, Daniels, and Hilton got most of the starting snaps on Thursday and I expect that’s who the Tigers roll with against USC to start. Hilton and Daniels moved around and swapped positions, going from inside to outside. Expectations remain high for this unit as Lacy made a couple of impressive grabs and Daniels and Hilton continue to look the part.
Zavion Thomas will also be heavily involved in the pass game in a multitude of positions and is a reliable weapon the Tigers offensive staff trusts. Aaron Anderon got a lot of run with the second group, while Kyle Parker, Shelton Sampson, Kylan Billiot, and even Landon Ibieta had some nice flashes. Figuring out how the WR rotation works out outside of the top four players is going to be a guessing game until the season starts.
Tight ends
Starter: Mason Taylor
Backups: Mac Markway, Trey’Dez Green
Taylor didn’t do a ton on day one, but it’s clear he’s going to be a pivotal part of the offense. The far more interesting competition is between Markway, Green, and Ka’Morreun Pimpton. Green looked about as good as you can expect considering he was not here in the spring. He’s a better athlete and receiver than Pimpton right now and I’m not sure it’s particularly close. The offensive staff seems to trust Pimpton, so that’s good, but personally, Green lived up to all the hype. Markway is a completely different player and will get on the field a ton as a blocker, but it’s going to be interesting how the Tigers’ balance this group.
Offensive line
Starters: (Left to right) Will Campbell, Garrett Dellinger, DJ Chester, Miles Frazier, Emery Jones
Backups: (Left to right) Tyree Adams, Paul Mubenga, Coen Echols, Christian Stamps, Bo Bordelon
The starting offensive line has been set for about seven months, but still it was good to see this group get more work together and further build chemistry. Brian Kelly says DJ Chester is ready and, therefore, this is setting up to be one of the best offensive lines in the country.
As for the second unit, it’s the exact same from the spring, even with the addition of five-star tackle prospect Weston Davis who arrived over the summer. The depth of this offensive line is not extensive, but hopefully Bo Davis can get Weston Davis up to speed and have him as an option this season.
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