LSU football will meet Baylor in the Texas Bowl in just over a week. As usual, LSU’s roster will look different than it did in the regular season. That’s the norm for bowl games in this era.
LSU’s dealt with NFL draft opt-outs and players hitting the transfer portal. The most notable draft opt-outs are on the offensive line, where LSU will be without both tackles, [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones. [/autotag]
The status of guard [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag] remains unclear, too, who has not played since leaving the Texas A&M loss with an ankle injury.
The opt-outs and injuries put LSU’s offensive line in a precarious spot entering the bowl game. The Tigers will be relying on inexperienced options to protect QB Garrett Nussmeier and pave the way for RBs [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Williams.[/autotag]
But despite the inexperience, the group remains talented. This will be a good chance for LSU to see where its young offensive linemen stand entering the offseason.
With the bowl game fast approaching, here’s what we expect the offensive line to look like when LSU takes on Baylor.
Left tackle Tyree Adams
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Adams was a four-star recruit in LSU’s 2023 class. According to On3 and Rivals, he was a top-12 tackle in the class.
Adams played just three snaps in 2023 but saw more action in 2024. He missed a portion of the season with an injury before returning vs. Florida.
Adams is versatile and appeared at four different positions this season. Most of Adams’ action came at guard, but he played 11 snaps at left tackle in LSU’s blowout win over South Alabama.
With his 6’7′ frame, his future is likely at tackle. This is a chance for Adams to stake his claim on that role entering 2024.
Left guard Paul Mubenga
LSU fans are familiar with Mubenga by now. Mubenga stepped in after Dellinger went down vs. Texas A&M and served as LSU’s primary left guard down the stretch.
Mubenga’s initial impression was rough. He allowed a combined 15 pressures against Alabama and Florida and struggled to get any push in the run game.
LSU saw steady improvement from Mubenga down the stretch and will hope that continues in the postseason.
Center DJ Chester
Chester started at center for LSU all year. The redshirt freshman was inconsistent for much of the season but played his best football in LSU’s two wins to close out the regular season.
If LSU gets a similar performance against Baylor, the interior offensive line is in good shape.
Right guard Bo Bordelon
Bordelon wore No. 89 for much of 2024, so LSU could use him as an extra blocker at tight end. With LSU needing depth on the offensive line, expect Bordelon to shift back to a big man’s jersey vs. Baylor.
Bordelon has more experience than some of the guys here, having signed with LSU in 2022. He’s sparingly seen action in his three years, but this is a chance to carve out a bigger role.
According to PFF, Bordelon posted an admirable grade of 70.4 in 46 snaps this season.
Right tackle Miles Frazier
Frazier was one of Brian Kelly’s first recruits at LSU. He transferred to LSU for the 2022 season, giving experience and talent to an offensive line room that needed it.
He’s played all over the offensive line in three seasons at LSU but settled into guard in 2023 and 2024. Now, with LSU needing help, that versatility is coming in handy.
Frazier has the tools to bump out to tackle, and that’s where we expect him to play when LSU takes on Baylor.
Depth
That five is not set in stone. If LSU begins to struggle, it wouldn’t be surprising to see LSU try something different.
If LSU wants to make a change at tackle, or needs to slide Frazier back to guard, Weston Davis would be the next man up. LSU likes the progress the true freshman made throughout the fall.
At center, Chester is backed up by another youngster in true freshman Coen Echols.
But LSU’s options are thin. Outside of the starting five listed here, LSU’s left with true freshmen.