Ten Tigers with the most to prove at LSU’s spring game
LSU’s spring game is less than 24 hours away after a month of practicing and putting in the foundation for a successful 2024. The defensive overhaul has begun and the offensive tweaks are taking place as the Tigers look to continue their run of success under Brian Kelly after his first two seasons.
Throughout the spring, we’ve had reports, analysis, quotes, and everything in between as we get a handle on what this LSU team could be this season. Now, with the spring game upon us, we’re going to look at the ten players with the most to prove on Saturday. Some of these are starters, some of these players are competing for jobs on the two-deep, either way, there’s a lot to learn when these guys take the field.
Brian Kelly talked about the veterans potentially having a quick hook, meaning there will be more room for younger players and those in competitions to shine.
“We’ll split it like we did last year where it’s offense vs. defense with the crazy scoring thing,” Kelly said. “It’s really not about the scoring as much as it’s about giving certain players that are in key positions the opportunity to compete. We want to see some of our front line guys go out and compete, but they’re not the most important players out there. On both sides of the ball, as the game unfolds you’ll know who is auditioning and there will be other guys that get a quick hook and we have a good sense of where he is.”
Let’s get to the list.
10. DB Major Burns
Burns has been the starter at the STAR position in Blake Baker’s defense, meaning he’ll be closer to the line of scrimmage and playing a more aggressive Nickel role for this defense. This will be a good opportunity for us to see him in a game-like setting in the new position and see if it more aptly fits his skillset after the struggles he had at safety last year. I think he’s the favorite to start at the STAR spot this fall, but if he has a shaky spring game and fall camp, players like Javien Toviano or Kylin Jackson could challenge him.
9. QB Rickie Collins
The younger of the two quarterbacks we’ll talk about here, Collins has gotten a ton of reps with the second team this spring and a lot of time to improve his game with coach Joe Sloan. With that being said, I think most people would still pencil in Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann as the QB2 on the depth chart based on his experience. From what we’ve seen and heard in spring camp, Collins is making a push to back up Garrett Nussmeier, but this spring game could go a long way in showing that he’s ready to make plays when his name is called.
8. QB AJ Swann
The other half of this QB2 competition, Swann comes to LSU as a transfer with SEC playing experience, good physical traits, and a live arm, still, there’s work to be done. He has to learn this offense, get chemistry with the receiving corps, and do all of that with Collins improving every day as well. The coaching staff has kept this an open competition for a reason and if Swann can’t come out on Saturday and show that his experience matters then this competition will be anyone’s guess going into the fall.
7. DE Dashawn Womack
Dashawn Womack LSU Football
Womack has been somewhat of an afterthought in the spring season. Part of that is because of all the other question marks LSU has on that side of the ball, but some of that is because the starters on the edge are set with Bradyn Swinson and Saivion Jones. However, the departure of Jaxon Howard should put an even brighter spotlight on the former five-star prospect ahead of this season as Womack will look to have more standout moments as his number of snaps will spike up this season. Still, a strong showing on Saturday will give a lot of fans assurance that he’s ready to shine in the fall.
6. OT Tyree Adams
When Lance Heard announced he was entering the transfer portal, all eyes immediately fell on Tyree Adams. Adams is a four-star sophomore out of New Orleans that is shaping up to be the “sixth man” for this LSU offensive line, even though he played in only one game as a true freshman last year. At 6-foot-7 and 305 pounds, Adams has grown into his body and now will look to show he’s ready to step in at the drop of a hat if Will Campebll or Emery Jones have to miss a snap, series, or game this season.
5. LB Harold Perkins
Perkins obviously brings a lot of intrigue with him, but I’ve talked about the pressure that is on his shoulders this offseason to step up and step into a more established role on this defense. It’s another year of his linebackers coach and defensive coordinator trying to get him to play inside linebacker entering the season. Can Perkins show that he’s taken steps forward on Saturday in Tiger Stadium? How will he be used? There’s a lot we can take from the spring game, but Harold Perkins has to start showing a deeper understanding of the position this offseason.
4. CB JK Johnson
After missing last season with a leg injury, JK Johnson is back and someone we expect to compete for the starting cornerback job in the fall. Through the spring, he started with the ones, but over time has worked more with the twos. On Saturday it will be great to see him at full speed and see how he matches up with LSU’s receivers. We know Blake Baker isn’t looking to hide cornerbacks or give them a huge cushion, so he’ll be tested plenty.
3. TE Ka’Morreun Pimpton
Jan 1, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; LSU Tigers wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton, tight end Ka’Morreun Pimpton (88), and wide receiver Aaron Anderson (1) run onto the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
So far this spring, Pimpton hasn’t made a ton of plays from what we’ve seen and heard. This Saturday’s spring game is big for him to show that he has the potential to be trusted in the fall. We’ve talked about his size, catch radius, improved route running and hands, but at some point we need to see it on the field. It might be unfair because we don’t get to see every practice like the coaches, but it’s been a lot more Mason Taylor and Mac Markway so far with Pimpton continuing to wait his turn.
2. WR Shelton Sampson
The biggest question mark of this receiving corps as we leave spring, can Sampson be a contributor in year two at LSU? Sampson has shown flashes at spring camp practices we’ve been to, but I’ve also seen drops still be an issue at times. This will be his first game action in Tiger Stadium since he had those two drops last year. I’ve been a believer in his talent since he committed to LSU, but he needs a strong spring game and subsequent fail camp to firmly put himself in the contention to be a top four receiver on this team.
1. CB PJ Woodland
The biggest riser this spring, Woodland has been raved about more than anyone so far and has been working with the starting cornerbacks throughout the past month. Now, we’ll get to see the freshman show that he belongs in Tiger Stadium on Saturday afternoon as he goes toe to toe with the Tiger wide receivers. I’m excited to see him in different coverages and how his competitiveness holds up when something doesn’t go right. We have a lot of time before fall camp gets here, but a strong showing in the spring game could make it hard to not pencil him in as a serious contributor and potential starter in 2024.
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