Comparing the feeling of this year’s fall camp vs. last year’s at LSU
LSU’s fall camp is underway with now three practices complete. Even though it’s still too early to make any definitive assertions, the more the Tigers get on the field, the better idea we have for what LSU could look like in 2024 with a new cast of star players on both sides.
I’ve been asked a few times about comparing my feelings now versus last year at this time and I think it’s a worthwhile effort to show how fickle fall camps are, but also why it helps project for the future. I went back and read my reports from last year and listened to our podcast after the first couple of practices for this. Here’s a fun look at the positions I feel better about, worse about, and the same compared to this time last year.
Where I feel better this year
Offensive line: Last year at this time, there was indecision with the center position, uncertainty with the guards, Lance Heard was surely going to shake things up. Ultimately, nothing changed and they were one of the best offensive lines in the country, but in fall camp we were still here talking about the offensive line and what combination it could be. Now, we just know it’s one of the best in the country and there’s no shake ups coming.
Cornerback: If you remember, I was out on the cornerbacks in fall camp last year. So much so, that it was the main reason I picked Florida State to beat LSU in week 1. This year, the situation is still not ideal, but I think we at least know what LSU has right now, even with Zy Alexander limited. Ashton Stamps is going to be solid. Sage Ryan should be OK. You have PJ Woodland who can compete, a healthy JK Johnson, Javien Toviano a year older, and a hope that Alexander returns. I don’t love this cornerback room in any way, but I have hope that it’s better than last year’s.
Where I feel the same about LSU
Quarterback: After reading some of my stories, I remember how awesome Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier were in camp last year. They both showed great poise and accuracy throughout camp. Still, I had that feeling of “we need to see it in games” with both of them. This year, I think I actually feel better about Nussmeier in terms of knowing where his floor and ceiling are compared to last year. We hoped Daniels was going to take that next step, but we didn’t know for sure.
Running back: I loved Logan Diggs and knew he was going to be LSU’s top running back last year, then you add the depth and I liked the Tigers’ room quite a bit. This year, it’s much more top-heavy, but I feel the same with Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams as the 1-2 punch. The depth is not nearly where it was last year, but Jackson should be a high-level ball carrier for LSU.
Tight end: I thought Mason Taylor was elite last year and I still think that this year. As for the rest of the room, I liked the freshman group in 2023 of Mac MArkway, Ka’Morreun Pimpton, and Jackson McGohan. Entering this year I feel the better about MArkway, worse about Pimpton, and you replace McGohan with Trey’Dez Green who may or may not get some run this year, so I feel about the same.
Linebacker: I have to be honest, last year at this time, I was sold on Harold Perkins and Omar Speights as the starting linebackers. We were sold a dream of Perkins being ready to play on the inside and being versatile, while Speights was an all-conference player at Oregon State and didn’t look out of place at LSU. Of course, I was wrong and Perkins had to move and Speights was awful last year, but that’s not what we’re basing this off of. I’m bullish on Perkins, Greg Penn, and Whit Weeks as the three primary inside linebackers this year and hopefully I’m not wrong like last year.
Where I feel worse this year
Wide Receiver: Last year, I was over the moon watching Malik Nabers in fall camp. It was unlike anything I’d seen before on a football field. Brian Thomas was hit or miss, but the talent was evident. I was also high on Aaron Anderson and even Kyren Lacy showed flashes. This year, I feel better about the depth, but it’s impossible for me to be as confident in the top-end talent as I was in last year’s group. We still need to see all of these players in these new roles. There’s just a hint of uncertainty, even though I think this is an awesome receiver room.
Defensive line: The defensive tackle position alone is night and day. Mekhi Wingo, Jordan Jefferson, and Maason Smith were a high-level defensive tackle trio and this year there is none of that. The EDGE positions I feel roughly the same about with similar personnel, but overall the defensive line was going to be a strength last year and now it’s a question mark.
Safety: I know, I know, I already know what you’re thinking. Unfortunately, at this time last year, I thought the Andre Sam and Major Burns duo was going to work. Sam had enough tape and experience that showed he was capable against high-level competition and Burns was a returning leader on the defense. You also had Greg Brooks who was awesome. As we know, nothing about that safety pairing worked, but in the fall I actually liked it. This year, I’m already lukewarm on the safety position with Jardin Gilbert being a solid player, but now we have more uncertainty next to him with Jordan Allen starting on the first day of practice. Who knows who ends up starting, but it definitely feels like a bigger question than it was last year early in the fall.
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