Tag: Brad Davis

LSU well-positioned with four-star offensive tackle from Utah

LSU could be set to add another player to its loaded 2025 class.

LSU offensive line coach [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] has proven to be one of the best recruiters in the country in the last few cycles. The lone assistant retained from Ed Orgeron’s staff, he continues to land blue-chip after blue-chip. Davis has found success in Louisiana and on a national level.

He’s at it again, with LSU positioning itself to land offensive tackle [autotag]Darius Afalava[/autotag], a top 500 recruit from Utah.

According to On3 and 247Sports, Afalava is a three-star. Rivals, however, slates him as a four-star recruit. On3’s Industry Rankings rank Afalava the 23rd-best tackle in the class.

Afalava has visited LSU in the past and reportedly is set to take an official visit with the Tigers in the future.

Per the On3 Prediction Machine, LSU is the leading candidate with a 44.1% chance to land the tackle from Utah. Oregon, Michigan State and Arkansas also remain in pursuit.

There’s a long way to go on this one, but LSU could be in a good spot to further bolster its offensive line and add to the top-ranked 2025 class.

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Brian Kelly elaborates on roles for co-offensive coordinators Joe Sloan, Cortez Hankton

Joe Sloan will call the plays, but Brian Kelly said Cortez Hankton will still have a “major role.”

LSU will have a new offensive play-caller in 2024 after previous offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] left the Tigers to return to Notre Dame in the same role.

Rather than bring in an outside candidate, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] opted to promote from within. Quarterbacks coach [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] and receivers coach/passing game coordinator [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag] were tabbed as the interim co-offensive coordinators for the ReliaQuest Bowl, and Kelly recently removed the “interim” tag from both their titles.

Visiting Senior Bowl practice on Thursday, where former LSU players [autotag]Charles Turner[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] are participating, Kelly spoke to the media and addressed the roles those two coaches would occupy.

Sloan will be the primary play-caller, though Hankton will also have a “major role” Kelly said per On3’s Matthew Brune.

“Joe will take the chief responsibilities and certainly be the play caller,” Kelly said. “Cortez will have a major role as well but at the end of the day if you don’t like the play call you can see me or you can see Joe. I think we’ll have a clear delineation in terms of the roles. Both of them are outstanding. Joe will be the play caller, he’ll handle the quarterbacks and I think it’ll be a team approach. We’ve got great coaches. [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] does a great job with the offensive line, [autotag]Frank Wilson[/autotag], Cortez certainly, [autotag]Slade Nagle[/autotag] is an experienced offensive coordinator from Tulane who’s done great things and gives us an experienced play caller as well. I think we’re gonna lean on the group and Joe will get the lead in play calling.”

Both Sloan and Hankton are key recruiters for the Tigers, and keeping them on staff was a must, especially with the makings of an elite 2025 class. Now, we have some clarity on how the roles will be separated between the pair.

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LSU promotes Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton to co-offensive coordinators

LSU removed the interim tag from Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton, promoting them to full-time co-offensive coordinator roles.

According to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] knows who will be calling the plays in 2024.

LSU is promoting [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] and [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag] to co-offensive coordinators, removing the interim tag the two had during the bowl game.

After [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] left for Notre Dame, Sloan and Hankton were seen as the favorites for this job. A 35-point showing against Wisconsin only cemented their status.

The move makes sense with LSU’s offense coming off a historic year. Sloan developed [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] into a Heisman winner and a potential top-three draft pick.

Hankton’s group, the wide receivers, were among the nation’s best with [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] leading the country in yards per game while [autotag]Brian Thomas[/autotag] led in touchdowns.

Sloan and Hankton will continue to work with their respective positions despite the promotion.

This allows LSU to keep Sloan and Hankton on staff for the time being. That’s a big win given the recruiting success the two are having. Most notably, Sloan got a commitment from [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag], the top QB and No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class.

Offensive line coach [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] and running backs coach [autotag]Frank Wilson[/autotag] are also set to return, which gives LSU plenty of continuity on the offensive staff, even with Denbrock gone.

LSU’s officially announced its hires on the defensive side, too. For the most part, the staff is set, but LSU will look to add a tight ends coach, the group Denbrock worked with.

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New DL coach Bo Davis is exactly what LSU’s defense needs

Bo Davis is exactly what LSU needed on the defensive front.

Nearly 20 years after helping [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] win his first national title, [autotag]Bo Davis[/autotag] is returning to LSU.

Fans have hoped for, wished for, and speculated about this for years. Anytime the defensive line coach position opened at LSU, you heard Davis’ name. And for good reason, too; for nearly 20 years, Davis has been one of the best defensive line coaches in the sport.

Davis played at LSU in the early 90’s before spending a few years as a graduate assistant. He was the assistant strength coach under Saban and followed Saban to the Dolphins and later Alabama.

Now, Davis is finally back at LSU. It’s a reunion that felt inevitable, even as the years passed and Davis didn’t return.

It’s rare to see this much made of a position coach hire. Davis isn’t running the program and he won’t be calling plays either. But Davis isn’t just a defensive line coach. He’s a presence and one that LSU needed in a bad way.

Davis spent the last three years at Texas. With Davis on staff, Texas went from a program that lacked physicality to a program that bullied the rest of the Big 12 in the trenches. According to PFF, Texas had the top two graded defensive tackles in the country with T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II.

Davis inherits an LSU defensive line in need of work. After [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] and M[autotag]ekhi Wingo[/autotag] declared for the draft, LSU is left thin at defensive tackle. Before Davis can even focus on development, he needs to find a way to get talent in the room.

LSU knows that, too. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] knows it. That’s why LSU continued to chase and chase until Davis was finally wooed back to Baton Rouge.

You need an elite defensive line to compete at the top of the SEC. It’s not a matter of if LSU will have that under Davis, it’s a matter of when. Everywhere this guy goes, success follows.

Sometimes building a staff isn’t hard. This is the rare case where you’re average message board poster could have done it.

This doesn’t mean the LSU defense is going to flip a switch and be one of the best in the country next year, but it’s the first step. You’ll notice it when you watch LSU. You’re going to watch a defensive line that just plays differently.

With [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] already building one of the best offensive line units in the country on the other side of the ball, few programs are better positioned for success in the trenches than LSU in the coming years.

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Bryce Underwood’s commitment solidifies LSU atop the QB market

Bryce Underwood’s commitment solidifies LSU’s spot atop the QB market

Not that long ago, LSU was stuck in quarterback purgatory.

Throughout the [autotag]Les Miles[/autotag] era, LSU was stacked on defense and loaded up on skill position players. But that QB spot, it was tricky.

After [autotag]JaMarcus Russell[/autotag] was the best quarterback in the conference in 2006 and [autotag]Matt Flynn[/autotag] led LSU to a national title in 2007, Miles struggled to find a signal caller that moved the needle.

Sure, guys like [autotag]Jarrett Lee[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] won a lot of games and in another era, they would have made perfectly adequate QBs, but the sport began to change.

As the sport grew more and more friendly to offense, you needed a professional quarterback. That doesn’t mean you needed [autotag]Cam Newton[/autotag], but at least someone like AJ McCarron, who was a Heisman finalist and remains in the NFL today.

LSU didn’t have that. Zach Mettenberger’s 2013 campaign was a step up, but it became an outlier. In 2014, LSU sat dead last in the SEC in passing yards and completion percentage. The passing attack remained near the bottom in 2015 too.

In 2016, it got a little better with [autotag]Danny Etling[/autotag], but LSU was still in the bottom half of the conference in passing yards and completion percentage while getting shut out in the Alabama game.

Miles was fired after four games in 2016. [autotag]Ed Orgeron[/autotag] took over and he knew the deal. He had to find LSU a quarterback.

Well, he did just that. [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] transferred in and went on to win 25 games, a national title, and a Heisman trophy.

For the first time in years, LSU had a game-changer at quarterback. The narrative was flipped.

Burrow left and even as LSU struggled as a team in 2020 and 2021, the passing attack did alright.

Then [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] arrived with [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] in 2022. All Daniels did was become one of the most dynamic players in the country, helping LSU upset Alabama in 2022 and winning a Heisman in 2023 with a historically productive season.

That brings us to the present, where LSU just got even richer at the QB position. QB [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag], the top player in the 2025 class, committed to LSU last Saturday.

It’s the first time in this era LSU’s landed a quarterback like Underwood. LSU’s signed some legit blue-chips, including [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], but this is the first time LSU’s landed the guy. I’m talking about someone with the hype of Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields.

Five years ago, LSU wasn’t even competing for these types. The true five-star QBs were all going to Alabama and Clemson, places with a track record of legit offenses.

With Underwood’s pledge, LSU’s 2025 class includes the top quarterback, wide receiver and running back. When recruits think of LSU now, they think of offense.

With Nussmeier on deck for 2024, the trend should continue. Offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] is gone, but LSU’s staff remains well-positioned with assistants [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag], [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag], [autotag]Frank Wilson[/autotag] and [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag].

That’s what Underwood is buying in on. Recruits now see a program that’s developed two Heisman quarterbacks in the last five years.

LSU is out of quarterback purgatory, and perhaps there’s no bigger signal of that than Underwood’s commitment.

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Analysis: LSU’s Lance Heard enters the transfer portal

Here’s what LSU is losing with offensive tackle Lance Heard hitting the transfer portal.

The transfer portal window is now closed, but LSU took one of its biggest hits at the buzzer this week.

Offensive linemen [autotag]Lance Heard[/autotag] entered the portal. It was no surprise after Heard didn’t travel for the bowl game as head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said Heard was evaluating his role with the program.

The writing was on the wall here.

Out of all the Tigers to hit the portal, Heard is the most talented. There’s no getting around that. He was a five-star recruit in 2023 and according to PFF, he was the top-graded freshman offensive lineman. This is a guy that’s ready to play now.

Where does this leave LSU?

The offensive line will be fine. [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] are two of the best in the SEC, and there are enough pieces that the interior will work itself out.

But if Heard was on the roster, that would allow LSU to play him at right tackle and bump Jones to guard. The bottom line is with Campbell, Jones and Heard, LSU had three tackles that are capable of playing at an All-SEC level.

That’s something you usually don’t find and an incredible luxury.

Now, LSU doesn’t have that luxury. It’ll be counting on Campbell and Jones to stay healthy, which they’ve done so far, and another young lineman to make a jump.

LSU signed two more blue-chip tackles in the 2023 class, [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag] and [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag]. Adams played just three offensive snaps this year and Chester has a bright future, but it’s at the center position.

LSU doesn’t have an immediate answer to solve its depth issue at tackle now. And again, every team in the country has depth issues on the offensive line. That’s what made LSU having Campbell, Jones and Heard so special.

[autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] is one of the best offensive line coaches in the business and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he had Adams ready to compete on the two-deep next year. [autotag]Bo Bordelon[/autotag] and [autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag] were three-star recruits who could pan out too.

Or maybe it’s one of the 2024 signees like [autotag]Weston Davis[/autotag] or [autotag]Ethan Calloway[/autotag], two more blue-chip tackle recruits set to join that room.

Regardless, LSU needs an answer now. Heard was projected as an All-American level player. That’s now one less player of that caliber on LSU’s roster.

It’s on Davis to develop another one of these guys to fill that gap.

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COLUMN: Brad Davis provides safety net for the LSU offense

LSU’s offensive line is set to be one of the best in the conference for years to come.

It’s hard to find good offensive linemen.

No matter the level of football, no matter the league, it’s rare to find five guys that can lineup and block consistently. And if you’re lucky enough to have a solid five, it’s even harder to keep them all healthy over the course of the season.

Depth is usually tested, and more often than not, that test is failed. Even the top programs have trouble stashing competent and experienced players on second line.

LSU struggled with this for a long time. In the final years of the [autotag]Les Miles[/autotag] era, offensive line play started to decline. Ed Orgeron’s first few years weren’t much better, until a veteran line gelled together in 2019.

But after that, it got rough again, and in the summer of 2021, Orgeron hired [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] to take over the offensive line.

Davis is a Baton Rouge native and upon arriving at LSU, he was already a SEC veteran who had spent the last year working under Sam Pittman.

Orgeron and LSU agreed to separate later that year, leading Davis to serve as the interim coach for the bowl game as [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] got settled in Baton Rouge.

Kelly came with his own program, wanting to put together his own staff. Assistants who had been at LSU for years, like [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] and [autotag]Tommy Moffitt[/autotag] were let go. But Davis wasn’t, making him the lone assistant from the previous staff.

That decision has paid off with LSU’s offensive line emerging as one of the best in the country, with the future looking bright too.

LSU’s losing a lot on offense next year. Between [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], LSU will be saying bye to the Heisman winner, the nation’s leading receiver, and the FBS leader in receiving touchdowns.

On top of that, someone else will be calling the plays with [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] taking the job at Notre Dame.

Changes are coming. Turnover is part of college football. But on the offensive line, LSU will have continuity.

[autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] will be back at the tackle spots and there’s plenty of talent returning on the interior too.

Nussmeier will be stepping into a well-protected pocket, which is important given LSU will be taking a step back at receiver and Nussmeier doesn’t possess the same scrambling ability as Daniels.

That’s what this offensive line is, a safety net for an offense about to enter a transition period. Every unit on this team will go through growing pains next year, but the guys up front shouldn’t.

This is positioned to be one of the best offensive lines in the SEC for years to come.

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Relationship with Brad Davis brought 4-star IOL Coen Echols to Baton Rouge

Coen Echols became the latest LSU signee, committing to the Tigers over Auburn on Friday.

It was a relatively drama-free early signing period for LSU, which ultimately inked all 27 players who entered Dec. 20 committed to the program.

The Tigers also brought in something of a surprise addition on Friday as four-star Katy, Texas, interior offensive lineman [autotag]Coen Echols[/autotag] committed to LSU over conference rival Auburn, becoming the 28th signee in the 2024 recruiting class, which currently ranks 11th nationally.

Echols said that offensive line coach [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag]’ track record speaks for itself, and the relationship he developed with Davis and his family ultimately played a significant role in bringing him to LSU.

“He’s a mentor and he has a lot of experience in that field. That’s why he produces so many offensive linemen,” Echols said according to On3. “We have a close relationship. Not only have I met him, his son, his wife… we’ve been really close throughout the entire recruiting process. We’ve always aligned, always stayed in touch and made me feel like I was a priority.”

The Tigers got the last word in for Echols, who took an official visit from Dec. 15-17. He said that trip played a major role in affirming his decision.

“The official visit was great. They showed me what they had to offer and there’s a lot in Louisiana,” Echols recounted. “The coaching staff showed they wanted me as well. Coach Kelly was preaching to me that I was a priority, that they need me here, and speaking with the OC Coach (Mike) Denbrock, I can tell he wants me as well and I fit into their offensive scheme.”

It’s worth noting that Denbrock’s departure to become the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame came prior to Echols signing with the Tigers.

With Echols’ addition, LSU’s class sits at 28 commitments as coach Brian Kelly has made it clear the team intends to program build primarily through high school recruiting.

The class may not be quite done yet as the Tigers will continue to push for five-star defensive lineman and top Louisiana prospect [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag], who is currently committed to Texas A&M but won’t sign until February.

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LSU offensive line named Joe Moore Award finalist

The Tigers’ success had a lot to do with one of the nation’s best offensive lines.

The LSU offensive line was recognized this week, earning a spot as a Joe Moore Award finalist.

The award is annually given to the best offensive line in college football. The Tigers last won it in 2019, one of several trophies LSU picked up on that national title run.

Joining LSU as finalists are Washington, Oregon and Georgia.

The award speaks to the work offensive line coach Brad Davis has done since joining the staff in 2021. He was the only on-field assistant retained after [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] took over and that decision has proven to be one of Kelly’s best.

According to PFF, LSU’s offensive line ranks seventh in run blocking grade and the Tigers are among the best in pass blocking efficiency too.

The line anchored a unit that led the country in yards per run and protected [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] as he put up Heisman Trophy-caliber numbers.

The expectations will remain high next year with several key pieces slated to return, including star left tackle [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag].

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Ranking LSU’s offensive linemen after the regular season

Ranking LSU’s five starting offensive linemen in 2023.

LSU’s offensive line was among the sport’s best in 2023.

The unit was one of 12 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the best offensive line in the country.

The Tigers led the country in offensive line yards and ranked 12th among Power Five teams in pass-blocking efficiency.

Offensive line coach [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] was the lone on-field assistant retained after [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] took over, and it paid off, with the unit getting a little better each year under Davis.

Here, we’re ranking the individual performances on LSU’s offensive line in 2023. This group was a mix of young blue-chippers and senior veterans, but it was strong across the board, without a glaring weakness.