Tag: Aaron Anderson

Speed the key for LSU’s receivers in 2024

LSU’s wide receiver room has plenty of speed in 2024. That could soften the blow of losing Thomas and Nabers.

LSU’s wide receiver room has some big shoes to fill this fall.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] are off to the NFL. Together, they combined for 2,746 yards and 31 touchdowns on 157 catches last year.

The two accounted for 62.3% of LSU’s receiving yards and 40% of all offensive touchdowns. That’s a huge chunk of production LSU needs to replace.

With Nabers and Thomas swallowing up so many targets, LSU doesn’t have much experience waiting in the wings. [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] were decent supplemental options last year, combining for 66 catches and 906 yards.

But what LSU lacks in experience, it could make up for in speed. Last week, receiver [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] took to social media posting what can be assumed was his tracked speed at a workout. 23.3 miles per hour.

That’s elite speed, and he’s not the only one. Hilton will be joined by a few other guys that can fly.

[autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] caught just 12 passes last year after transferring from Alabama, but in high school, he was a track star in Louisiana.

[autotag]Jelani Watkins[/autotag], a key member of LSU’s 2024 class who signed last December, is set to join the fold too.

Watkins is one of the fastest players in the country, winning the Texas state title in the 200-meter.

What does this mean for LSU on the field?

Speed doesn’t always translate and there’s plenty more that goes into being a good receiver. It’s also nothing new. Nabers and Thomas could also fly and it’s hard to imagine LSU’s downfield passing attack getting any better than it was last year.

But the speed LSU will have in that room could help keep LSU among the most explosive offenses in the country.

LSU might not have anyone who can adjust to the ball in the air and make plays at the level of Nabers and Thomas, but it can make up for it with guys who can consistently take the top off a defense.

With [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] at QB, who’s shown he won’t hesitate to let it fly, expect LSU to take plenty of deep shots in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

LSU transfer receiver set to make noise in the SEC in 2024

Liberty transfer CJ Daniels is coming off a 1,000-yard season with the Flames.

LSU took a much more methodical approach to the transfer portal this offseason, taking significantly fewer players than it has in the previous two cycles. But that doesn’t mean the transfer haul is devoid of star talent.

Arguably the Tigers’ most prized addition in that group is [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag], a receiver from Liberty who is coming off a 1,000-yard season with the Flames. Both [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] are set to move on, and that could open the door for Daniels to emerge as the team’s top wideout next season.

CBS Sports’ Will Backus recently broke down a number of transfers who will make noise in the SEC this season, and Daniels was listed among them.

The 6-foot-2 Daniels spent the past three seasons as one of Liberty’s top offensive playmakers, though he battled through an injury-riddled campaign in 2022. He had his first 1,000-yard receiving performance in 2023 with 10 touchdowns and a whopping 19.4 yards per catch. He should thrive in LSU’s big-play offense with his combination of size and explosive ability. There’s plenty of opportunity for Daniels to shine with both Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. off to the NFL. They’re taking a combined 2,746 yards receiving — 62.3% of LSU’s 2023 team total — and 31 total touchdowns with them.

Daniels will still be competing with the likes of [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Hilton[/autotag], [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and others, but he immediately becomes the most experienced and proven player in the room.

That should help a lot with a new quarterback set to take over in [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag].

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU return specialist Gregory Clayton Jr. declares for 2024 NFL draft

Gregory Clayton Jr. has been LSU’s primary punt returner the last two seasons.

The Tigers are losing a veteran special teams standout to the 2024 NFL draft.

On Wednesday, senior receiver and return specialist [autotag]Gregory Clayton Jr.[/autotag] announced that he would be moving on after two seasons at LSU. A Louisiana native and transfer from UTSA, Clayton emerged as the Tigers’ top punt returner during his first season in 2022.

Over the past two seasons, he’s appeared in 25 games and attempted 15 punt returns for 101 yards as well as two kickoff returns for 26 yards.

I”d like to thank LSU Tiger fans for all their support and coaches for giving me an opportunity to represent my state and wear the purple and gold for the second season,” he said in a statement. “With that being said, I would like to announce that I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL draft!

“Louisiana State University will always have a special place in my heart. No matter where the future takes me, LSU will always be home. Geaux Tigers!!”

With Clayton moving on, LSU will likely turn to [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag] to hold down the returner spots in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Can Kyren Lacy replace Malik Nabers as LSU’s WR1 in 2024?

Kyren Lacy only has 54 catches in two years, but he’s had some real bright spots when he’s been highlighted in the offense.

As the calendar turns to 2024 and we prepare for Year 3 of the [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] era in Baton Rouge, the program faces a lot of questions.

The 2023 team was an overall disappointment as an awful defense held back arguably the best offense in the entire nation. Most of the stars from that group are gone, including Heisman-winning quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and his top two receivers, [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag]

Nabers will be especially tough to replace. The nation’s No. 2 receiver and runner-up for the Biletnikoff Award, he’s seen as a likely top-10 (if not top-five) pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

LSU may have his replacement in-house, though. Fifth-year senior [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] is returning, and though he only has 54 catches in two seasons in Baton Rouge, he’s had some standout performances.

He exceeded 100 yards in two games this season and had six catches for 96 yards in the ReliaQuest Bowl win. He finished the year with 558 yards and seven touchdowns on 30 catches, and CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson identified him as Nabers’ replacement.

Both Nabers and Brian Thomas are leaving massive holes in the production from LSU’s pass catchers, but Lacy has already expressed his expectation to be one of the team’s leaders at that position in 2024. A fifth-year player who will be utilizing his COVID eligibility in the fall, Lacy arrived at LSU prior to 2022 after two seasons at Louisiana. He took a major jump this year with improvements in receptions (30), yards receiving (558) and touchdowns (7), and finished as the team’s third-leading receiver on the season behind Nabers and Thomas.

There is still a lot of talent among the underclassmen wide receivers in Baton Rouge but it’s mostly unproven, making Lacy a key piece for LSU’s offense. Want a good sign for the future of LSU’s offense as it undergoes the turnover of a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, two first-round wide receivers and an offensive coordinator? Seeing Lacy connect with presumed starter Garrett Nussmeier for a season-high six catches for 95 yards in the bowl win against Wisconsin.

LSU will turn to Lacy and other returning players like [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag], as well as Liberty transfer [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and Mississippi State transfer [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag].

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

NEW: Liberty WR transfer CJ Daniels commits to LSU

CJ Daniels is now officially committed to playing for the LSU Tigers next season.

There were a lot of reports on Saturday that [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] would be transferring from Liberty to LSU. Nothing official has been released until now.

On Sunday, Daniels officially committed to playing for the LSU Tigers next season.

Daniels is a great pickup for [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] and the LSU offense. He was the leading receiver for the Flames last season and played in 14 games while making 55 receptions for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound wide receiver from Lilburn, Georgia, was a junior, so he will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Daniels joins a wide receiver room with [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], [autotag]Shelton Sampson[/autotag], [autotag]Kyle Parker[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] There should be a lot of opportunities for him to make a big impact for the Tigers next fall.

The only question remaining is, who will the offensive coordinator be? When [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] names the new offensive coordinator, we will know a lot more about the type of offense LSU will run.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

LSU receiver signee Kylan Billiot among players who boosted stock at All-American Bowl

Kylan Billiot was a clear standout in San Antonio this week.

This past weekend weekend, we wrapped up the high school all-star game circuit as the annual All-American Bowl was held in San Antonio.

The Tigers had four signees in the 2024 class who participated in the All-American Bowl, and one of them may have done a lot to boost his stock at the end of the cycle.

On3’s Cody Bellaire listed receiver [autotag]Kylan Billiot[/autotag] as one of several players who are trending up after their performance this week. A four-star prospect from Terrebonne (Houma, LA), Billiot ranks just inside the top 300 of the 247Sports Composite Rankings. However, that ranking could rise in the coming weeks.

Here’s what Bellaire said about his performance in San Antonio.

We were excited to learn Kylan Billiot was added to the All-American Bowl roster, feeling he is a prospect who could really move the needle with a great showing. With that said, he started the week off with a bang. We knew the athleticism and size was going to show up, but the improvement in his ball skills was quickly evident as he made multiple acrobatic catches and displayed some strong hands during the 1-on-1 period. As the week progressed, the LSU signee showed progress in his route-running and ability to separate on intermediate routes. While he has always had the top-end speed to blow by defenders on vertical routes, the ability to break off defenders at the top of the route was evident. The improvement is notable, given his limited time playing football. Billiot may have been held relatively quiet during the All-American Bowl, but the progress he’s shown illustrates his upside and ability to take coaching. The physical tools and athleticism are certainly there. There’s no question Billiot’s best football is ahead of him as he continues to improve his technical skills.

Billiot could have a path to immediate playing time as LSU loses receivers [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] to the draft. It still returns veterans like [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] as well as 2023 signees [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Khai Prean[/autotag], who both redshirted as true freshmen.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU true freshman receiver, former blue chip recruit enters transfer portal

A former top-70 recruit, Jalen Brown redshirted while appearing in three games in 2023.

Following the conclusion of LSU’s season with a 35-31 win over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Day, it saw the departure of two of the top signees in the 2023 class.

First was former five-star offensive tackle [autotag]Lance Heard[/autotag], who signaled his decision when he didn’t travel with the team to Tampa. Next was former four-star receiver [autotag]Jalen Brown[/autotag], who entered just before the deadline on Tuesday night.

A top-70 prospect in the 2023 class from Gulliver Prep in Miami, Brown redshirted during his true freshman season while appearing in three games but recording no stats. He’ll have four remaining years of eligibility at his next stop.

It’s a blow to a Tigers receiver room that’s set to lose [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] It will return veterans [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] as well as another highly touted 2023 signee who redshirted in [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Indiana return specialist, Louisiana native enters transfer portal

The Tigers could look to beef up their special teams with Jaylin Lucas, an All-American returner in 2022.

LSU has made an effort to bring in transfer talent with ties to the state, so it’s worth noting when a Louisiana native enters the transfer portal. Indiana running back and return specialist [autotag]Jaylin Lucas[/autotag] became the latest on Wednesday.

The sophomore playmaker hails from Houma and played his high school ball at Edna Karr before signing with the Hoosiers. He’s seen moderate production on the ground in two seasons, totaling 546 yards and four touchdowns on 116 carries.

He also had 50 catches for 329 yards and two touchdowns. Lucas really shined in the return game, though.

He was named an All-American returner in 2022 after totaling 591 return yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman, and he had similar production this season with 572 yards and another return touchdown.

LSU turned to a transfer in [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] as its return specialist this season, but with some losses in the running back room and Lucas’ skills on special teams, he could be a player to watch for the Tigers.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU WR Chris Hilton Jr. out vs. Auburn, no other injuries reported Thursday

Chris Hilton will miss Saturday’s game as expected, but everyone else listed on Monday’s report will be available.

The Tigers got an overall encouraging injury report from coach Brian Kelly on Thursday.

Though receiver [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], who was listed as doubtful entering the week with a high ankle sprain, will indeed miss the game against Auburn on Saturday in Week 7, the team is otherwise healthy.

Kelly listed receiver [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Omar Speights[/autotag] and center [autotag]Charles Turner[/autotag] as probable for Saturday’s game entering the week, and he confirmed Thursday that all three will be available with no other injuries to report.

LSU will hope that it’s able to figure some things out against a struggling Auburn team that has lost two in a row as it’s now getting back closer to full health ahead of a home SEC West contest.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Mason Taylor provides update on ankle injury that has been limiting him

Mason Taylor isn’t at 100% quite yet after his Week 2 ankle sprain.

Tight end [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] is still working to get back to full strength after spraining his ankle in Week 2 against Grambling.

When meeting with reporters on Tuesday, Taylor said he was around “75-80%” against Missouri.

Taylor missed LSU’s Week 3 game against Mississippi State but has since played in every game after returning in Week 4. In that span, Taylor’s caught 12 passes for 121 yards. He caught his first touchdown of the year last Saturday against Missouri.

On the entire year, Taylor’s caught 17 passes for 160 yards, which puts him above his pace from last year despite the ankle injury. Taylor getting back to full health could take LSU’s passing game up another notch.

It would also aid a pass-catching group that’s had some depth issues the last few weeks due to [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] both missing time along with Taylor’s ongoing recovery.

Depth is a problem at tight end, too. After Taylor, LSU would be relying on a handful of true freshmen.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.