Coming into the spring, one of the biggest questions for LSU was the center position.
[autotag]Liam Shanahan[/autotag] was serviceable the last couple years, but his play wasn’t anywhere near the level LSU had gotten at the position from guys like [autotag]Ethan Pocic[/autotag] and [autotag]Lloyd Cushenberry[/autotag].
On Saturday, reporters who watched practice noted that [autotag]Charles Turner[/autotag] was taking first-team reps at center. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] had stated earlier in the spring that the position was wide open, and the staff would be trying out lots of names there. It now seems like Turner is in the driver’s seat.
Turner also took first-team reps at center last Saturday. In 2021, Turner played over 100 snaps on the offensive line, but just eight of them at center.
He came to LSU in 2019 as a three-star recruit and has seen time at guard and tackle since then. Former head coach [autotag]Ed Orgeron[/autotag] spoke highly of Turner early in the 2020 season.
Considering how important the position of center is to the chemistry of the offensive line, this could be something where Kelly and staff want to ride with Turner just for continuity’s sake.
247Sports’ scouting report of Turner as a recruit, written by Gabe Brooks, states that Turner projects as a center at the collegiate level. If Turner pans out, it could be the best play LSU has gotten at the position in since Cushenberry left following the title run.
Upon returning from injury, [autotag]Marlon Martinez[/autotag] is expected to compete with Turner for the job.
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