Tag: 2023 Football Player Profiles

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 24 Zy Alexander

Zy Alexander was a three-year starter for Southeastern Louisiana before transferring to LSU this offseason.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

LSU had quite a bit of success in 2022 with an experienced cornerback transfer from the lower ranks in [autotag]Colby Richardson[/autotag], and now it’s dipping back into the in-state FCS well with [autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag], a three-year starter from Southeastern Louisiana who is expected to start for the Tigers this fall.

Zy Alexander Preseason Player Profile

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 23 Kylin Jackson

Kylin Jackson was the highest-rated safety signee in LSU’s 2023 class.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

We’re looking at more true freshmen on the defensive side of the ball, this time Zachary, Louisiana, safety [autotag]Kylin Jackson[/autotag]. The highest-rated safety signee in the 2023 class and top-250 national prospect should provide much-needed depth in the defensive backfield and could also play a role on special teams in 2023.

Kylin Jackson Preseason Player Profile

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 22 Armoni Goodwin

Armoni Goodwin is back from injury and looking to reclaim a spot in a deep running back rotation.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

We continue our look at a loaded running back room with a player who looked to be on the verge of a breakout early in the 2022 season before injuries halted his progress. After missing the spring, [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag] is expected to be back at full strength for the start of the 2023 season and should be a key part of the rotation.

Armoni Goodwin Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

Ht: 5-8

Wt: 200

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four Stars | No. 6 in Alabama | No. 7 Running Back

Class in 2022: Sophomore

Career Stats

Year G Att Yards YPA Rec Yards Total TDs
2021 6 16 65 4.1 2 5 0
2022 7 45 267 5.9 4 19 5

Depth Chart Overview

Goodwin is a former top-100 recruit in the 2021 class and a Birmingham, Alabama, native. LSU struggled to find success on the ground in 2021, and Goodwin only attempted 16 carries for 65 yards as a true freshman.

He saw a much bigger role entering his sophomore year and appeared in seven games with three starts against Southern, Mississippi State and New Mexico. His progress was then put on pause as an injury caused him to miss the next three games.

Goodwin returned to the field against Ole Miss but was limited to just three total carries in the next two games. In the latter contest against Arkansas, he suffered a season-ending injury.

After missing the spring, LSU will hope Goodwin can return to where he was last fall. Reps on this unit will be hard to come by, though. [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] is back, as is [autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag], who saw starting reps in the spring. [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag] is an experienced transfer addition while [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag] is a potential X-factor if he’s able to return.

Add in two talented true freshmen in [autotag]Trey Holly[/autotag] — who was on campus for spring camp — and [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag], and Goodwin will have to impress in the fall to solidify a spot in the rotation.

Armoni Goodwin’s Photo Gallery

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 22 Duce Chestnut

Duce Chestnut comes in after two years as a starter at Syracuse.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

Once again, arguably the biggest storyline on the defensive side of the ball this offseason is the class of transfer additions in the secondary. One of the more intriguing players in that group is [autotag]Duce Chestnut[/autotag], who was a standout in his first two seasons at Syracuse.

Duce Chestnut Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Camden, New Jersey

Ht: 5-11

Wt: 200

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three Stars | No. 7 in New Jersey | No. 31 Cornerback

Class in 2022: Sophomore

Career Stats

Year G Total Solo TFL Sack FF PD INT
2021 (Syracuse) 12 43 32 3.5 0 0 8 3
2022 (Syracuse) 12 40 27 1.5 0 0 1 1


Depth Chart Overview

Chestnut immediately became a starter after arriving at Syracuse, starting all 12 games as a true freshman while earning Freshman All-America and Third Team All-ACC honors. He also finished as the runner up for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

He started all 12 games again last fall, earning All-ACC Honorable Mention. His interception numbers dropped from three to one, though he took his lone pick to the house against Wagner.

After arriving at LSU this offseason, he’s expected to take over the starting nickel role, though he’ll have to compete with returning player [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag], who showed some promise last season, as well.

Duce Chestnut’s Photo Gallery

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 21 Ryan Yaites

Ryan Yaites will have a chance to learn from some of the best in the business this fall as a true freshman on the bayou.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

Ryan Yaites was a big four-star recruit in the state of Texas that Kelly was able to swindle away from the likes of Texas and Texas A&M. He will have a chance to learn from some of the best in the business this fall on the bayou.

Ryan Yaites Preseason Player Profile

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 21 Noah Cain

We are headed back to the loaded running back room to check out one of the veterans of the group, Noah Cain.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

We are headed back to the loaded running back room to check out one of the veterans of the group, Noah Cain. Cain transferred to LSU last year after spending three years at Penn State. He played in all 14 games last season making only three starts. He will be fighting for playing time again this fall.

Noah Cain Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Ht: 5-11

Wt: 220

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four stars, No. 6 running back in the class of 2019, No. 13 running back in Florida (IMG Academy)

Class in 2022: Junior

Career Stats

Year G Att Yards Average Touchdowns
2019 (Penn State) 10 84 443 44.3 8
2020 (Penn State) 1 3 13 13.0 0
2021 (Penn State) 13 106 350 26.9 4
2022 14 76 409 29.2 10

Depth Chart Overview

As previously mentioned, LSU’s running back room is loaded with talent. It’s as if there are five or six different cooks all trying to cook in one kitchen. Cain is going to compete for carries with [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag], [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag] and [autotag]Trey Holly[/autotag]. I’m glad that I am not the one that has to divvy up the number of carries.

Noah Cain’s Photo Gallery

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 19 Jay Bramblett

Bramblett looks to be one of the nation’s top punters in 2023.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

It’s time to show some love to the specialists, and we’re taking a look at LSU’s starting punter in [autotag]Jay Bramblett[/autotag]. He followed Kelly after a multi-year starting career at Notre Dame, and he held down the job all year in 2022. He looks to do so once again in 2023.

Jay Bramblett Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Ht: 6-2

Wt: 202

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three Stars | No. 59 in Alabama | No. 1 Punter

Class in 2022: Senior

Career Stats

Year G Punts Yards Average Touchbacks
2019 (Notre Dame) 13 63 2485 39.4 2
2020 (Notre Dame) 11 43 1839 42.8 1
2021 (Notre Dame) 13 58 2502 43.1 3
2022 14 49 2181 44.5 1

Depth Chart Overview

Bramblett was the nation’s best punter coming out of high school in Tuscaloosa while also playing quarterback, but instead of signing with the nearby Alabama Crimson Tide, he chose Kelly and the Fighting Irish.

He became the starting punter at Notre Dame during his true freshman season, and he would improve as the starter over three seasons. His best season came this past fall when he finished with a 43.1-yard average on 58 punts. He had 11 boots of 50+ yards including a career-long 72-yarder.

Bramblett ultimately played in all 14 games last fall as the team’s starting punter, finishing with a career-best 44.5 yards per boot. That mark ranked seventh in LSU history and fourth in the SEC, as well as top 20 nationally. He had 18 punts downed inside the 20.

He looks to be one of the nation’s top punters entering the season.

Jay Bramblett’s Photo Gallery

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 19 Jordan Allen

Jordan Allen redshirted after making four appearances as a true freshman last fall.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

We continue our look at LSU’s secondary by breaking down a player who didn’t see a ton of action last fall en route to a redshirt year. [autotag]Jordan Allen[/autotag] is a former three-star recruit looking to make an impact in a crowded secondary as he competes with a number of transfers.

Jordan Allen Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

Ht: 5-11

Wt: 195

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three Stars | No. 19 in Louisiana | No. 38 Safety

Class in 2022: Freshman

Career Stats

Year G Total Solo TFL Sack FF PD INT
2022 4 2 2 1 0 0 0 0


Depth Chart Overview

The Lafayette native played his high school ball for former LSU linebacker [autotag]Trev Faulk[/autotag], and the three-star recruit was rated as the No. 434 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class. A one-time Penn State commit, he ultimately chose to stay close to home and sign with the Tigers.

He appeared in four games as a true freshman both on special teams and in the secondary, with most of those appearances coming earlier in the year. He also played in the Citrus Bowl win over Purdue, registering a season-high 23 snaps. He had one tackle in that game and one in the win over Southern.

While he will have to compete with several incoming defensive back signees, he could earn a backup safety role while seeing an expanded position in the special teams unit.

Jordan Allen’s Photo Gallery

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 17 Da’Shawn Womack

The five-star prospect from Baltimore is the highest rated defensive signee in the 2023 class.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

We’re looking at another potentially impactful true freshman on the defensive line in [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag]. A five-star prospect from Baltimore, Womack is the highest-rated defensive signee in LSU’s 2023 class. On a team that has to replace a pair of starting defensive ends, he could see immediate action.

Da’Shawn Womack Preseason Player Profile

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 17 Chris Hilton Jr.

Chris Hilton Jr. showed some promising signs before missing most of his redshirt freshman year due to injury.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

We continue to take a look at the receiving corps by spotlighting a potential X-factor in the group in [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] The talented athlete is one of the fastest players on the team, and he showed a lot of promise early in the 2022 season before his campaign was ultimately derailed by injuries.

Chris Hilton Jr. Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Zachary, Louisiana

Ht: 6-0

Wt: 183

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four Stars | No. 3 in Louisiana | No. 11 Receiver

Class in 2021: Redshirt Freshman

Career Stats

Year G Rec Yards YPC TDs
2021 4 2 81 40.5 1
2022 4 7 109 15.6 0


Depth Chart Overview

Hilton played in four games and started two as a true freshman in the 2021 season, but his only play of note came in the Texas Bowl loss to Kansas State in which he scored an 81-yard touchdown. His only prior catch that year didn’t go for a gain.

He was expected to see an expanded role in 2022, and indeed, that’s how things started. Hilton appeared in the first four games, starting against Mississippi State. He had a career-best five catches for 47 yards against Southern, and he made two catches for 62 yards against New Mexico, including a 51-yarder.

Hilton missed the final 10 games with an injury, but he enters 2023 looking to be a contributor in a receiver group that also includes [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag], [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] as potential top options.

Chris Hilton Jr.’s Photo Gallery