Tag: DJ Chester

LSU football still has major transfer portal need on offensive line

LSU still has a big portal need at a major position

LSU football made some big moves in the first week of the transfer portal window, but a few needs remain. Among them is the offensive line.

With tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones declaring for the NFL draft and guards Miles Frazier and Garrett Dellinger exhausting eligibility, the Tigers are replacing four starters up front. The lone player set to return is center [autotag]DJ Chester. [/autotag]

Despite a flurry of additions, LSU has yet to move on the offensive line, making it LSU’s most urgent need.

LSU likes the talent of the young offensive linemen on the roster. Aside from the draft losses, LSU has handled retention well in the room, with zero of the Tigers’ linemen entering the portal.

We saw glimpses of redshirt freshmen [autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag] at guard in 2024, and the results were mixed. At tackle, LSU has freshman [autotag]Weston Davis[/autotag] waiting in the wings, but he played just 16 snaps in 2024.

But LSU would like to be in a place where it’s not relying on unproven underclassmen in 2025. With quarterback [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] back for a fifth year along with a budding star at running back in [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag], LSU’s offense has a chance to be one of the best in the country next year if it can maintain talent on the offensive line.

Three LSU football freshmen earn SEC’s all-freshman honors

See which three Tigers were named to the SEC’s all-freshmen team in 2024

Three LSU freshmen received postseason recognition from the SEC on Thursday.

[autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag], [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag] and Aeron Burrell earned spots on the conference All-Freshman team.

Chester, a center, took over after veteran [autotag]Charles Turner[/autotag] moved on to the NFL. There were some growing pains, but Chester put a strong performance together in LSU’s final two games.

He helped block for Durham, who led the team in rushing yards. Burrell handled kickoff duties for the Tigers.

Durham led the Tigers’ ground attack and turned in two 100+ rushing yard performances. The freshman totaled 693 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry in his inaugural season.

Durham was also involved in the passing game, hauling in 27 catches for 257 yards and two scores.

Expect head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] to continue using the Oklahoma City, OK native as a versatile piece in the offense with Nussmeier and 2025 five-star back [autotag]Harlem Berry[/autotag].

Burrel remains a stalwart on the kickoff team. The three-star placekicker is a native of Bossier City, LA, and ranked second at his position in the 2024 class. He chose his home state school over Grambling and Houston.

Burrel will have a chance to win place-kicking duties next year.

Here’s a complete look at the SEC’s All-Freshman team on offense and defense.

Offense

Position Player Team
QB LaNorris Sellers South Carolina
RB Caden Durham LSU
RB Jadan Baugh* Florida
RB Nate Frazier* Georgia
WR Ryan Williams Alabama
WR Cam Coleman Auburn
TE Ethan Davis Tennessee
OL Bradyn Joiner Auburn
OL Josiah Thompson South Carolina
OL Bryce Lovett Florida
OL Malachi Wood Kentucky
C DJ Chester LSU
AP Ryan Williams Alabama

Defense

Position Player Team
DL Dylan Stewart South Carolina
DL Colin Simmons Texas
DL Jayden Jackson Oklahoma
DL Jordan Ross Tennessee
LB Jalen Smith Tennessee
LB Chris Cole* Georgia
LB Myles Graham* Florida
LB Demarcus Riddick* Auburn
DB KJ Bolden Georgia
DB Boo Carter Tennessee
DB Zabien Brown Alabama
DB Jay Crawford Auburn

LSU right tackle Emery Jones declares for NFL Draft

LSU is losing another offensive lineman to the NFL

LSU is losing another offensive lineman as right tackle [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] announced his plans to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. Jones’ announcement comes after left tackle Will Campbell elected to declare earlier this month.

Campbell, a projected top-10 pick, was obvious, but there was speculation about Jones returning in 2025.

Now, LSU will be replacing both tackles and both guards entering 2025. The one starter slated to return is center [autotag]DJ Chester.[/autotag]

A member of Brian Kelly’s first LSU signing class, Jones was a top 100 overall recruit per the On3 Industry Rankings.

Jones took over the starting job at right tackle in week three of his freshman campaign. There were growing pains in 2022, but in 2023, Jones became one of the best tackles in the SEC. It led to Jones appearing in the first round of some mock drafts entering 2024.

Jones didn’t quite replicate his sophomore campaign, but the NFL tools remain.

Jones is likely to slide to guard at the next level. Guard won’t be entirely new to Jones, who saw 33 snaps at right guard in 2023. Jones earned all-conference honors in 2023 and 2024 and leaves LSU as one of the most productive tackles in program history.

Brian Kelly on how LSU got the run game going vs. Vanderbilt

How did LSU get its run game going vs. Vanderbilt? Here’s what Brian Kelly had to say

LSU’s run game was inconsistent over the first 10 games but put up big numbers in the win over Vanderbilt.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly was asked about what went right at his Monday press conference. 

“It starts with the quarterback. The ability to get us the favorable looks that give the offensive line the numbers where we could run some combination blocks, where we could get leverage, where we could get some of the things necessary to have a more consistent running game,” Kelly said.

Kelly said that single-back offenses have to correctly identify those looks and make the right calls.

He pointed to Nussmeier spinning it out to Aaron Anderson on the perimeter when the numbers in the box were unfavorable to the run.

At times this season, Kelly has said Nussmeier needed to do a better job of making the right calls. Now with more experience under his belt, Nussmeier is starting to turn a corner in that department.

The calls paid off for the offensive line. Kelly said center [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag] played his best game of the year. He praised Chester’s development, especially as it pertains to his work in the weight room.

Kelly said Chester’s strength numbers are now where they’re expected to be for his position.

LSU ran the ball 29 times for 142 yards and two scores. [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] averaged 6.4 yards per carry while [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] averaged 4.1.

Oklahoma’s front is one of the best in the SEC. We’ll get a better idea of what progress LSU has made this week, but the Vanderbilt game was a positive indicator.

Coveted IOL Kayden Strayhorn breaks down LSU, other top contenders

Kayden Strayhorn is a legacy at Michigan State, but a recent LSU offer seems to have grabbed his attention.

LSU got in the game a bit late for [autotag]Kayden Strayhorn[/autotag], a three-star interior lineman in the 2025 class. The Tigers offered him just a few weeks ago, but they seem to have made a strong impression early on as they’re one of three schools that has secured an official visit from him.

Strayhorn will visit LSU on June 14, as well as Ohio State and Michigan, which appear to be his top three schools at the moment.

A product of IMG Academy who is originally from Detroit and a legacy at Michigan State, Strayhorn recently spoke with Isaiah Hole of Wolverines Wire about his top contenders, including the Tigers.

Strayhorn said that LSU offensive line coach [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag] flew specifically to meet with him and his father. After two hours, Davis made a scholarship offer to Strayhorn.

“For them I’ve never been there before,” he said. “They came on the Monday we had an A-day practice and the offensive line coach is super close with my offensive line coach. And, he came and he actually only flew just to see me and he talked with me and my dad for like two hours and offered me and told me, ‘We want to do this thing and get you here.’”

Strayhorn added that LSU has pitched him on its lack of center depth. After [autotag]Charles Turner III[/autotag] departed for the draft — in a move that surprised the Tigers, according to Strayhorn — guard [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag] is expected to start at center in 2024.

“They think, based off what happened with their center — so they had they had a center Charles Turner from IMG actually, and they wanted him to come back,” Strayhorn said. “And so he told him he was going to come back. So the guy that they already had moved behind him into the portal. And then a few weeks later, Charles decided to enter the draft. So they literally don’t have a true center. They have a guard playing center right now for this upcoming year. So the coach sees the position they’re in and sees me as the fix.

“So that’s what interests me in them and then also just — if you see they have the No. 1 offensive line in college football this year. Two first-round tackles. And it’s just the pedigree of what they’ve had before. And, you know, it’s Louisiana State University – it’s a big deal. So I think that’s definitely what drives me to be interested in taking the official visit and I’m looking forward to that one for sure.”

Strayhorn ranks as the No. 426 recruit in the country per the 247Sports composite rankings. He holds no crystal ball predictions at the moment, but the Spartans are the favorite for the son of former MSU defensive tackle and current broadcaster Jason Strayhorn according to the On3 prediction machine.

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LSU has the No. 1 offensive line in the country per On3

Will Campbell and Emery Jones are the cornerstones of an offensive line group that strikes fear in the eyes of opposing defensive coordinators.

It is a widely known fact that the LSU Tigers have the two best offensive tackles in the NCAA this year. [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] are the cornerstones of an offensive line group that strikes fear in the eyes of opposing defensive coordinators.

Garrett Nussmeier sleeps a lot better at night knowing that his blindside is safe every time he drops back to throw. Hopefully, the running game will make a huge improvement from 2023 to 2024 as well.

Recently, On3 ranked the top 10 offensive line units as we get ready to head into the 2024 season. They have LSU as the No. 1 team and here is their analysis of why.

The Tigers have a pair of potential 2025 Top 10 picks at offensive tackle this fall, as Will Campbell and Emery Jones enter their junior seasons with two years of starting experience.

Campbell is in contention for the No. 1 overall pick next April, while Jones graded out as the fourth-best tackle in the SEC in 2023, per PFF. LSU also returns both starting guards in Miles Frazier and Garrett Dellinger. The Tigers are breaking in a new starting center (DJ Chester), but if there’s one concern with the unit, it’s that the depth was sapped a bit by the portal departures of Lance Heard and Marlon Martinez.

Even with the losses of Heard and Martinez to the portal, this offensive line has the chance to be one of the best in program history.

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Pair of LSU offensive lineman plan to return in 2024

The Tigers will be bringing four of five starting offensive linemen back in 2024.

LSU is set to return four of its five starters along the offensive line.

Both starting guards [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag] and [autotag]Miles Frazier[/autotag] plan to return to Baton Rouge in 2024 despite being draft-eligible, they reportedly told On3’s Shea Dixon. With tackles [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] not being draft-eligible, center [autotag]Charles Turner[/autotag] is the only starter who won’t be back next season.

The pair has seen a lot of action in the last few seasons. Dellinger has started 23 of 34 games he’s appeared in over the last three seasons, including all 13 this past fall. Frazier, meanwhile, is a transfer from Florida International and has started all but one of the 26 games he’s appeared in since joining the Tigers in 2022.

LSU has seen some losses along the offensive line as [autotag]Lance Heard[/autotag] entered the portal and [autotag]Mason Lunsford[/autotag] retired, but it brings back a lot of starting experience and a promising young center in [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag], who will likely replace Turner.

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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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LSU center Charles Turner declares for 2024 NFL draft

LSU will lose the most experienced player on its offensive line.

LSU is set to return most of its production along the offensive line in 2024, but it will lose one starter as center [autotag]Charles Turner[/autotag] opted to enter the NFL draft instead of returning to Baton Rouge for his final season of eligibility.

The move doesn’t come as a surprise. Turner accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl last month, seemingly indicating he planned to turn pro. The sixth-year senior was a three-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Florida by way of Canton, Ohio, and he appeared in 40 games over his five seasons at LSU, starting all 25 over the last two seasons.

Turner’s backup, [autotag]Marlon Martinez[/autotag], entered the transfer portal following the conclusion of the 2023 season. That would likely open the door for [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag] to compete for a starting role in 2024.

A former top-150 prospect in the 2023 class with a lot of versatility, Chester redshirted in 2023 after appearing in four games.

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LSU center Charles Turner accepts Senior Bowl invitation

Charles Turner accepted a Senior Bowl invite, signaling his LSU departure.

LSU center [autotag]Charles Turner[/autotag] accepted a Senior Bowl invite this week, signaling the end of his LSU career.

Turner, one of the few remaining holdovers from the 2019 national title team, had one year of eligibility remaining.

Turner played sparingly his first few years in Baton Rouge but took over the starting center job early in 2022 and started every game in 2023, finishing his LSU career with 1,684 offensive snaps.

A product of IMG Academy in Florida, Turner was a three-star in LSU’s 2019 class and the eighth-best center in the country.

Turner had a productive season, ranking third among SEC centers in PFF pass-blocking grade.

Turner isn’t projected to be an early-round selection, but a solid performance at the Senior Bowl can catch the eye of some teams and make him a sought-after late-round selection.

With Turner leaving, LSU is well positioned at center. [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag], who saw some time in 2023, is expected to be LSU’s future at the position.

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