Tag: Chris Hilton Jr

Former LSU receiver Khai Prean commits to Tulane

Khai Prean is staying in the state of Louisiana.

Former Tigers wide receiver [autotag]Khai Prean[/autotag] won’t be leaving the state of Louisiana, after all.

On Monday, Prean announced his commitment to Tulane as a transfer. The former four-star receiver entered the transfer portal last Wednesday following one season at LSU in which he redshirted and didn’t make any appearances.

Listed as an athlete coming out of Saint James, Louisiana, in the 2023 class, Prean was a top-500 recruit. However, even with the departures of [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], he remained buried on the receiver depth chart entering 2024.

LSU still has quite a bit of depth at the position between projected starters [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag], depth players [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], as well as young players who could be poised for a breakout like [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Parker[/autotag].

Prean will join a Tulane team coming off another double-digit win season, but the 2024 campaign will be the first under new coach Jon Sumrall after Willie Fritz left to take the Houston job.

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LSU redshirt freshman receiver enters transfer portal

Khai Prean is moving on after a redshirt season in 2023 in which he didn’t appear in any games.

LSU has seen its second transfer portal departure in the spring window as redshirt freshman receiver [autotag]Khai Prean[/autotag] opted to enter the portal on Wednesday.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Prean entered the portal with a no-contact tag. That would seemingly indicate that he already knows where he’s going, or at least has a shortlist.

Prean joins [autotag]Jaxon Howard[/autotag] as LSU’s spring transfer portal entrants so far, but Howard signaled his intention to transfer prior to the window opening on Tuesday.

A four-star recruit and top-20 recruit nationally, the Belle Rose, Louisiana, native didn’t appear in any games as a true freshman and ultimately took a redshirt year.

With Prean now out of the mix, LSU will turn to players like [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], last year’s transfer addition [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and fellow 2023 recruit Shelton Sampson Jr. for depth behind the new starting receiving corps, which seems to be comprised of [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], Mississippi State transfer [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] as we complete spring ball.

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LSU receiver Kyle Parker could be poised for breakout redshirt freshman season

Kyle Parker has reportedly seen first-team receiver reps at LSU’s spring practice.

As LSU works its way through spring ball, there’s one pressing question on the offensive side: Who can replace the production departing with first-round receivers [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag]?

While the Tigers may lack the experience in the receiver room, it’s a talented group with a number of players who could earn reps. One, however, has been a standout so far in spring ball.

Redshirt freshman [autotag]Kyle Parker[/autotag] ā€” an Allen, Texas, native who appeared in four games as a true freshman in 2023 ā€” was spotted taking reps with the first team along with [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag].

Parker was part of a talented receiver class in 2023 that also featured [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Brown[/autotag]. The latter has since transferred, but with Sampson and a group that also features Liberty transfer [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag], a transfer addition who played occasionally in 2023, there are options for the Tigers.

However, it seems Parker is making an impression, with quarterback [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] recently saying that he had “worked his tail off.”

The Tigers have to replace a combined 2,746 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns from a season ago. The emergence of a player like Parker would certainly make that much more manageable.

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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.

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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 andĀ Brian ThomasĀ 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 atĀ 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 starterĀ Garrett NussmeierĀ for a season-high six catches for 95 yards in the bowl win againstĀ 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].

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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.

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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 heā€™s shown illustrates his upside and ability to take coaching. The physical tools and athleticism are certainly there. Thereā€™s no question Billiotā€™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.

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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]

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Instant Analysis: LSU overcomes early deficit to beat Wisconsin in Garrett Nussmeier’s first start

Garrett Nussmeier threw for nearly 400 yards as the Tigers held on to win a ReliaQuest Bowl shootout.

LSU found itself in an early hole against the Wisconsin Badgers in the ReliaQuest Bowl, but after a comeback effort, the Tigers survived to win a 35-31 shootout in Garrett Nussmeier’s first start in an LSU uniform.

The defense was the Achilles heel all season, and it was a rough start on Monday for that unit. The Badgers scored two first-quarter touchdowns to jump out to a 14-0 lead, and LSU gave up 146 yards in the first quarter while its first three drives stalled out.

The Tigers managed to erase that deficit before half, however, with an eight-play, 60-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a handoff to linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] at the goal line. Nussmeier would lead another scoring drive as [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag] found the end zone to tie the game with less than 90 seconds to play in the second quarter.

They couldn’t hold that tie, however, allowing a quick go-ahead touchdown drive, and a Nussmeier interception on the ensuing drive gave them a chance to add to the lead, which ā€” fortunately for the Tigers ā€” they were not able to do as the Badgers took a 21-14 lead to the locker room.

LSU gave up a touchdown drive to kick off the third quarter, but the offense responded as Nussmeier found [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] with a 38-yard touchdown pass to give Thomas his 16th score of the year.

After another impressive throw to the corner of the end zone to [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], the Tigers tied the game at 28.

The Badgers retook the lead with a field goal, but with the quarter winding down, Nussmeier made a couple of big connections to lead the Tigers 98 yards down the field in three minutes to score a go-ahead touchdown with 3:08 to play.

Wisconsin managed to drive all the way down to the LSU 19, but the drive stalled and the offense went backward as the Tigers earned a game-sealing stop on 4th and 25.

Nussmeier had a bit of a slow start, but he settled in very nicely to finish with 395 passing yards and three touchdowns on 31 of 45 passing. His favorite target was [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], who had eight catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] made the start and set LSU’s career receiving yards record, but he would sit the rest of the game after achieving the record.

Nussmeier gave the Tigers a glimpse at what the future could hold on offense, and it’s bright even with Daniels, Nabers and Thomas heading off to the NFL.

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Injury Report: Pair of LSU starters out for Army game in Week 8

Emery Jones and Mekhi Wingo are officially out for Saturday’s game against Army.

LSU is getting a much-needed break from SEC play this weekend as it hosts Army in Baton Rouge in Week 8.

The Tigers are a bit banged up, and they’ll have what should be a tuneup game and then the bye to get healthy. Still, they’ll be down some key players this weekend.

On Thursday’s injury report, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] confirmed that both starting defensive tackle [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] and starting right tackle [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] will be out this weekend. LSU will, however, get rotational receiver [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] back after he missed a few games with a high ankle sprain.

Without Jones, [autotag]Lance Heard[/autotag] will make his first start at right tackle after putting in some good reps last week in Jones’ absence. Without Wingo, [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] will likely play an even bigger role in the interior.

LSU plays host to Army on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. CT in a game that will be televised on the SEC Network.

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