LSU Tigers Preview 2022: Offense
New offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock worked for Brian Kelly for years, was Luke Fickell’s OC at Cincinnati last season, and now he’s got a whole lot of talent to work with – at least among the eventual starting 11.
Last year’s offense had nothing for the ground game, struggled to score, was painfully inefficient with the passing game, and couldn’t consistently move the chains. Other than that, everything was great. However …
The passing game has a whole lot of talent. Job One is to settle on a quarterback. If and when he can stay healthy, Myles Brennan is the reliable veteran and decent call for the gig, but Garrett Nussmeier will still get a long look and Jayden Daniels didn’t transfer over from Arizona State to sit on the bench.
No matter who’s under center, the main man might have the best wide receiver in college football to throw to – or a close second to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kayshon Boutte is coming off an ankle injury, but if he’s right, it’s not too much hype to call him the next superstar NFL receiver from the program.
Most of the other top targets last year were freshmen, there’s more talent on the way, and Jaray Jenkins is a decent and reliable veteran who finished second on the team behind Boutte in receiving yards. However …
Everyone needs time to work. The offensive line couldn’t pass protected, struggled for the running game, and there were way too many breakdowns. That’s where the new guys come in with Will Campbell one the best looking new tackles in college football, and 6-5, 340-pound East Tennessee State transfer Tre’Mond Shorts ready to fill in at guard.
Even so, this will be a work in progress. The line wasn’t all that great last year, but there was talent. This group has a whole lot of skill, but it’s going to take time.
The running backs are fine if they get the blocking. John Emery is back in the mix after being dinged last year, and former Oklahoma transfer Tre Bradford should play a larger role.
LSU Tigers Preview 2022: Defense
The defense had its moments. It generated a ton of pressure in the backfield and was decent against the run, but the secondary struggled and there weren’t enough takeaways to help the cause. Defensive coordinator Matt House – formerly the linebacker coach for the Kansas City Chiefs – has a whole lot of pieces to put together, but …
The secondary has plenty of good players ready to step up and shine. It’s LSU – the defensive backs should be fantastic. That’s where the transfer portal kicks in with several new guys who’d fit right in for most teams.
Safety Jay Ward is the main holdover from last year – he finished third on the team with 70 tackles – and in comes the help with Greg Brooks (Arkansas) and Joe Foucha (Arkansas) along with corners Jarrick Bernard-Converse (Oklahoma State), Mekhi Garner (Louisiana), and Sevyn Banks (Ohio State).
The front six has guys who can get into the backfield. DE BJ Ojulari should once again be one of the SEC’s better pass rushers, sophomore Maason Smith is a rising star at tackle, and 2020 star pass rusher Ali Gaye is back and ready to go after missing almost all of last year.
There’s size and athleticism in the linebacking corps, but a big play thumper needs to rise up in the rotation. There will be plenty of tackles, but the plays in the backfield will mostly come from the line.
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