New Orleans Saints assistant coach Jahri Evans will be working with the American Team offensive line at this year’s Senior Bowl, including three LSU Tigers stars:
New Orleans Saints legend and current offensive assistant Jahri Evans is getting a nice opportunity to be an offensive line coach at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Earlier today, the Senior Bowls announced the group of players that he will be coaching and they could end up being some intriguing names to keep an eye on in the 2025 NFL draft for the Saints. Many New Orleans fans will already recognize a few of the names from their college days.
Evans will be coaching the American Team offensive line, which includes Kansas Jayhawks tackle Logan Brown, Missouri Tigers tackle Armand Membou and then a trio of former LSU Tigers stars: Garrett Dellinger, Miles Frazier and Emery Jones.
The most interesting player to watch during the week of practices will be Jones. He entered the year with hopes of being drafted in the top-10, but struggled statistically to the point that he could now be a Day 2 pick.
He still has all of the tools needed to play in the league and at a high level. His game might project more to a guard spot, though, which teams will get a chance to look at during practice.
Here’s everything you need to know before LSU takes on Baylor in the Texas Bowl
LSU football will bring its 2024 season to a close when it faces Baylor in the Texas Bowl.
After weeks of focus on the transfer portal and recruiting, the focus returns to football.
LSU enters the game at 8-4. Brian Kelly and the Tigers can’t match the 10-win marks from 2022 and 2023, but LSU can finish the year on a three-game winning streak with a win. That’s needed after a three-game losing streak ended the Tigers’ playoff hopes in November.
Bowl game momentum can be overrated, but LSU wants to go into the offseason on a high note.
Vibes are good with LSU building one of the top transfer classes in the country. A loss doesn’t negate that, but a win carries momentum into 2025.
Baylor and LSU haven’t met since 1987 — that’s somewhat of a surprise given the school’s regionality.
Let’s jump right in and talk about and break down what we’ll see on the field.
Can Baylor take advantage of LSU’s makeshift offensive line?
The big story in this one is LSU’s offensive line. Both starting tackles, [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag], opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. LSU was already without guard [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag], who missed the entire month of November with an ankle injury.
Just two offensive linemen who started the opener are taking the field for LSU: DJ Chester and Miles Frazier.
With Jones out, Frazier will bump out to tackle. Chester will remain at center.
LSU is the underdog, largely in part due to the changes we’ve seen upfront. If LSU can block Baylor, the Tigers win this game. If the line struggles, Nussmeier and the offense are in for a long night.
Baylor’s interior defensive line is one of the best in the Big 12. Defensive tackle Jackie Marshall will be a lot for Chester and company to handle. Chester played his best football in LSU’s final two games — LSU needs that to continue vs. Baylor.
Tyree Adams will make his first career start at left tackle. The pressure is on Adams and Frazier to keep Nussmeier clean. Baylor ranks 75th nationally in sack rate, and the Bears’ pass rush isn’t scary. LSU has the talent to keep Baylor’s pass rush in check, but it remains a question until we see it happen.
Can Garrett Nussmeier continue his breakout?
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Breakout may not be the right word. College football has known about Nussmeier for some time now. But he was inconsistent as a starter in 2024.
He made NFL-level throws to lead LSU’s upset of Ole Miss, but his play fell off as LSU embarked on the three-game losing streak.
Nussmeier bounced back as the regular season wrapped up, with strong performances against Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. He’ll look for a repeat performance vs. Baylor.
In the Oklahoma win, LSU’s offense found the big play element. Nussmeier connected with wide receiver Chris Hilton twice for 40+ yard touchdowns. After the game, Brian Kelly said establishing the deep ball was pivotal to opening up LSU’s offense.
With LSU throwing over the top, more space opens up in the intermediate passing lanes, an area Nussmeier works well.
At 79.3, Nussmeier’s QBR ranks 12th nationally. When he’s on, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country. LSU needs the good Garrett Nussmeier if it wants to pull the upset.
What should we expect from the LSU defense?
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The LSU defense took a major leap in Blake Baker’s first year as defensive coordinator. Last year, the unit finished 52nd in Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings.
In the latest 2024 rankings, the Tigers’ defense sat 31st. With a few more weeks of bowl practice, could we see another step?
Depth is thin thanks to losses in the transfer portal, but LSU will have its key difference makers. Cornerback Zy Alexander and defensive end Bradyn Swinson are both playing.
According to PFF, Baylor’s pass block grade is 75.9 — middle of the pack in the Big 12. Swinson and the LSU pass rush can take advantage of that.
Baylor’s offense is good, but the Bears were inconsistent when they played the better Big 12 defenses. Baylor scored just 20 points against Houston and 21 vs. Iowa State.
That’s about the level this LSU unit is on.
Players to watch
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LSU WR AaronAnderson: With Kyren Lacy preparing for the draft and CJ Daniels transferring, all the attention will be on Anderson at wide receiver. LSU needs the redshirt sophomore to create some big plays.
Baylor DT Jackie Marshall: Marshall is one of the top run-defending defensive tackles in the country. He can impact the passer, too, with 22 pressures on the year.
LSU RB Caden Durham: With potential struggles on the offensive line, more pressure may be on Durham to make things happen. He has the explosiveness to do it.
Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson: Baylor’s offensive emergence begins with quarterback Sawyer Robertson. He was one of the most productive passers in the Big 12 this fall.
LSU DE Bradyn Swinson: LSU’s defense is at its best when it’s getting after the passer. LSU is one of the most sack-happy teams in the country. A big game from Swinson alleviates pressure elsewhere on the unit.
The Kansas City #Chiefs should consider taking LSU #Tigers OL Garrett Dellinger in the third or fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft.
The Kansas City Chiefs have the best interior offensive line in the NFL but risk losing Trey Smith this spring and Joe Thuney the following year. It’s unlikely the team keeps both guards beyond next season, which means Brett Veach should select interior offensive line depth in the 2025 NFL draft.
According to Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, LSU Tigers standout Garrett Dellinger is a verified 6’4.5″, 320 lbs. His thick frame packs impressive power in pass protection. Defensive linemen lack the power to rush through Dellinger’s frame. He needs to tighten his hand usage to protect his chest more, but his raw power lets him succeed with poor technique.
Dellinger’s anchor isn’t his only weapon in pass protection. He delivers impressive power through his hands. His punches and shoves send defensive linemen stumbling away. Dellinger’s limited arm length prevents him from maximizing this power, but his highlights in pass protection rank among the best in the 2025 class.
Dellinger plays with an elevated pad level and inconsistent hand usage. His frame limits his agility and foot speed. He struggles to mirror twitchy defenders and sometimes stops moving his feet when he extends to punch the rusher. These flaws prevent Dellinger from earning a top 60 grade in the class.
Dellinger’s impact in the run game varies. His movement skills help him execute some reach blocks and pull for gap runs, but he lacks the ideal open field speed and agility to mirror defenders. Dellinger uses his power to displace or seal defenders to create massive run lanes. He climbs to the second level on combo blocks to eliminate linebackers.
LSU has 4 OL who will be drafted farily high in the 2025 NFL draft and my two favorites are LT Will Campbell (Top 15) and LG Garrett Dellinger (Day two) and here they serve up the rare synchronized pancake pic.twitter.com/kalcxgixZs
Dellinger’s inconsistent balance causes him to fall off some blocks in the run game. He lunges into blocks, which makes him vulnerable to swim moves. When he makes solid contact, Dellinger uses his leg drive to displace and pancake defenders. He doesn’t post those dominant plays consistently.
Dellinger missed time late in the season with a high ankle sprain that he suffered versus Texas A&M. He plans to add more tape before the draft by attending the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. in late January. Dellinger projects as a third or fourth-round selection.
Who will LSU start on the offensive line when it faces Baylor in the Texas Bowl?
LSU football will meet Baylor in the Texas Bowl in just over a week. As usual, LSU’s roster will look different than it did in the regular season. That’s the norm for bowl games in this era.
LSU’s dealt with NFL draft opt-outs and players hitting the transfer portal. The most notable draft opt-outs are on the offensive line, where LSU will be without both tackles, [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones. [/autotag]
The status of guard [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag] remains unclear, too, who has not played since leaving the Texas A&M loss with an ankle injury.
The opt-outs and injuries put LSU’s offensive line in a precarious spot entering the bowl game. The Tigers will be relying on inexperienced options to protect QB Garrett Nussmeier and pave the way for RBs [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Williams.[/autotag]
But despite the inexperience, the group remains talented. This will be a good chance for LSU to see where its young offensive linemen stand entering the offseason.
With the bowl game fast approaching, here’s what we expect the offensive line to look like when LSU takes on Baylor.
Left tackle Tyree Adams
https://www.instagram.com/ttyree7/p/C-TzSgFNnmU/
Adams was a four-star recruit in LSU’s 2023 class. According to On3 and Rivals, he was a top-12 tackle in the class.
Adams played just three snaps in 2023 but saw more action in 2024. He missed a portion of the season with an injury before returning vs. Florida.
Adams is versatile and appeared at four different positions this season. Most of Adams’ action came at guard, but he played 11 snaps at left tackle in LSU’s blowout win over South Alabama.
With his 6’7′ frame, his future is likely at tackle. This is a chance for Adams to stake his claim on that role entering 2024.
Left guard Paul Mubenga
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.
LSU fans are familiar with Mubenga by now. Mubenga stepped in after Dellinger went down vs. Texas A&M and served as LSU’s primary left guard down the stretch.
Mubenga’s initial impression was rough. He allowed a combined 15 pressures against Alabama and Florida and struggled to get any push in the run game.
LSU saw steady improvement from Mubenga down the stretch and will hope that continues in the postseason.
Center DJ Chester
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Chester started at center for LSU all year. The redshirt freshman was inconsistent for much of the season but played his best football in LSU’s two wins to close out the regular season.
If LSU gets a similar performance against Baylor, the interior offensive line is in good shape.
Right guard Bo Bordelon
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Bordelon wore No. 89 for much of 2024, so LSU could use him as an extra blocker at tight end. With LSU needing depth on the offensive line, expect Bordelon to shift back to a big man’s jersey vs. Baylor.
Bordelon has more experience than some of the guys here, having signed with LSU in 2022. He’s sparingly seen action in his three years, but this is a chance to carve out a bigger role.
According to PFF, Bordelon posted an admirable grade of 70.4 in 46 snaps this season.
Right tackle Miles Frazier
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Frazier was one of Brian Kelly’s first recruits at LSU. He transferred to LSU for the 2022 season, giving experience and talent to an offensive line room that needed it.
He’s played all over the offensive line in three seasons at LSU but settled into guard in 2023 and 2024. Now, with LSU needing help, that versatility is coming in handy.
Frazier has the tools to bump out to tackle, and that’s where we expect him to play when LSU takes on Baylor.
Depth
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That five is not set in stone. If LSU begins to struggle, it wouldn’t be surprising to see LSU try something different.
If LSU wants to make a change at tackle, or needs to slide Frazier back to guard, Weston Davis would be the next man up. LSU likes the progress the true freshman made throughout the fall.
At center, Chester is backed up by another youngster in true freshman Coen Echols.
But LSU’s options are thin. Outside of the starting five listed here, LSU’s left with true freshmen.
LSU needs offensive linemen in the transfer portal. Here are five names to know.
The transfer portal officially opened on Monday, and the transfer season is in full swing. LSU football head coach Brian Kelly said the Tigers plan to take an aggressive approach. So far, LSU is living up to its word with several visits lined up.
LSU has a few positions of need. Defensive end and wide receiver are among the biggest, but LSU needs help at safety and offensive line, too.
With [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag] and [autotag]Miles Frazier[/autotag] moving on, LSU is losing its two veteran guards who have held down LSU’s interior offensive line since Kelly arrived.
LSU has replacements within the program, but even if the Tigers opt for their own prospects, they need to build depth. LSU needs offensive linemen from the portal.
Things are moving fast, so today, we’ll look at five offensive linemen LSU fans should know about. Some of these guys could come right in and compete to start, while others would serve as depth. Let’s jump right in.
Josh Thompson – Northwestern
Thompson is one of the best available linemen in the portal. He broke out with Northwestern in 2024, taking over the starting job at right guard.
He posted a PFF grade of 74.9, which ranked 12th among qualified Big Ten offensive linemen. Thompson didn’t allow a sack all year while playing some of the sport’s toughest competition.
Thompson has two years of eligibility remaining and would be able to start at LSU right away. This is the kind of difference maker LSU needs from the portal.
Patrick Kutas – Arkansas
Kutas missed the majority of 2024 with an injury, playing just four games late in the year and maintaining his redshirt.
After playing right tackle in 2023, Kutas played guard in 2024. That versatility, along with his SEC size and experience, make him one of the top linemen on the market.
LSU’s had some good luck with Arkansas transfers in the past. Could we see the Tigers turn to the well again?
LaJuan Owens – New Mexico
It’s a risk taking offensive linemen from the G5 level, but Owens may have the goods.
He’s a four-star transfer per On3 and weighs over 300 pounds. That gives him the size to play guard in the SEC. He’s originally from Texas and has several years of eligibility remaining.
Owens was a left tackle in 2024 but could follow a similar path to Miles Frazier, who started as a tackle on the G5 level before playing guard at LSU.
Tyler Mercer – North Texas
Mercer claimed the Mean Green’s starting center job in 2024 and didn’t look back. He posted an 80.0 pass block grade and didn’t allow a sack. On3 considers him a four-star transfer, which means something for linemen potentially jumping from the G5.
Mercer can play center and guard. Again, LSU can use that versatility, especially someone who can play center. Mercer has multiple years of eligibility remaining.
TJ Shanahan – Texas A&M
LSU was involved in Shanahan’s recruitment in high school, but A&M won out for the four-star prospect. Shanahan made five stars and appeared in nine games with the Aggies in 2024. He’ll be a redshirt sophomore in 2025, giving him multiple years of eligibility.
Coming out of high school, Rivals ranked Shanahan as the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the class. He struggled in 2024, but he can play guard and center and has room to develop.
LSU will be without a key offensive starter when it faces Alabama on Saturday night
LSU will be without starting left guard [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag] when it faces Alabama on Saturday night.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly said Dellinger had tightrope surgery on his ankle. Dellinger injured the ankle vs. Texas A&M and did not return. Kelly said the Tigers are hoping to get Dellinger back in week 12, when LSU travels to face Florida.
Offensive line depth took a hit earlier this year when Tyree Adams had season-ending surgery. That left Paul Mubenga to fill in when Dellinger went down against A&M. I’d expect it’s Mubenga back out there again on Saturday.
If LSU goes a different direction, the Tigers could turn to [autotag]Bo Bordelon[/autotag] or [autotag]Weston Davis.[/autotag] Regardless, LSU lacks an experienced option.
LSU’s interior offensive line play has been inconsistent this year. DJ Chester is a first-year starter at center and LSU’s failed to establish a consistent run game. The loss of Dellinger creates more questions ahead of a meeting with a strong Alabama front seven.
According to PFF, Dellinger is LSU’s top-graded offensive lineman in 2024. He’s a veteran that’s accustomed to big moments like the one LSU will be in on Saturday night. LSU is coming out of a bye and had some time to prepare, so we’ll see what answers Kelly and staff have.
Brian Kelly offered an injury update on one of LSU’s top offensive linemen.
On top of the loss to Texas A&M, a key LSU offensive lineman left the game with an injury.
[autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag], a veteran guard, suffered a high ankle sprain. This week, LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] offered a status update on the Dellinger.
Kelly said LSU is hoping the bye week serves as a time for Dellinger to recover. Reading the tea leaves, that sounds like Dellinger wouldn’t be ready to go on Saturday but has a chance to be ready for the Alabama meeting.
The typical recovery time for a high ankle sprain can vary.
Dellinger, who was replaced by Paul Mubenga, was a significant loss for LSU. According to PFF, Dellinger had been LSU’s top-graded offensive lineman on the year.
Among SEC guards, Dellinger owns the seventh-best run-blocking grade. Kelly said the loss of Dellinger wasn’t to blame for LSU’s struggles on the ground, but did point out Dellinger’s veteran status.
[autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag], a redshirt freshman, was thrown into the fire for his first meaningful snaps of college football.
Mubenga is a talented player, but LSU would like to have Dellinger for Alabama. The offensive line depth already took a hit when [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag] had season-ending surgery.
Adams, LSU’s swing tackle, was the next man up before his injury.
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Here are five takeaways from LSU’s loss in College Station on Thursday night.
Sometimes things fall apart.
That’s what happened to LSU in College Station on Saturday night. Mistakes haunted LSU as the Tigers watched the game unravel in the third quarter. Texas A&M seized the momentum and won 38-23.
Sole possession of first place in the SEC was on the line. A&M now sits atop the conference while LSU falls to 3-1 in conference play and 6-2 on the year. The loss halted a six-game win streak for LSU and put the Tigers’ playoff hopes on life support.
The night was full of frustrations for LSU. The Tigers moved the ball, but too many drives stalled out on A&M’s side of the field. LSU had to settle for field goal attempts, but the night was marred by special teams mistakes.
Every component of the field goal unit struggled. Ramos missed kicks, the holds were bad, and LSU long snapper Slade Roy fired one off too early.
LSU left something on the table. There’s no other way to put it. Here are five takeaways from the loss.
Nussmeier leads the unraveling with three picks
The first half was some of Garrett Nussmeier’s best football. The second half was the polar opposite.
Nussmeier’s accuracy began to falter and the situation was made worse by poor decisions with the football.
LSU went three and out on its opening drive of the second half. On the second drive, Nussmeier was trying to make a play and threw the ball up. It was picked off in LSU territory and A&M cut into the lead shortly after.
Later, another Nussmeier pick set A&M up to take the lead. Then in the fourth, an Aggie interception all but sealed it.
Nussmeier has nine picks on the year now. That puts his average at one per game. LSU will struggle to win games if it’s putting the ball in jeopardy like this.
LSU failed to put Aggies away when it had the chance
Things were looking bright in the first half. A long catch and run from Aaron Anderson put LSU up 17-7.
LSU was moving the ball and the LSU defense wasn’t giving up much. The Tigers looked like the better team — like a team taking yet another step forward after last week’s 34-10 win. But that wasn’t the case.
The stalled drives and missed field goals in the first half kept A&M in the game and allowed the Aggies to find life in the second half.
It was pointed out on the broadcast, but it was reminiscent of LSU’s week one loss. LSU was in a position to take a kill shot but missed.
LSU couldn’t run the ball
After a few weeks of progress, LSU couldn’t run the ball on Saturday night. [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] both got chances, but neither could gain steam.
A&M’s front presented a challenge to LSU. The Aggies have several future pros on the defensive line and LSU couldn’t get any push. Senior guard [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag] exiting the game with an injury didn’t help.
We can debate whether the blame lies with coaching, personnel or execution. The fact of the matter is we’re eight games into the season and LSU can’t run the ball.
It’s hard to go on the road and win in the SEC if you can’t run it. LSU doesn’t need the same production it got last year, but it needs more than it’s getting now.
A&M turns to Reed in the second half
LSU pressured Connor Weigman throughout the first half. A&M was getting some yards in the run game, but the passing attack was a nonfactor.
A&M’s answer: QB Marcel Reed.
Aggies’ OC Colin Klein went all in on the option attack and Reed’s rushing ability. Holes started to open up and A&M did what it wanted on the ground.
[autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] and the LSU defense had nothing. Even if there was an answer, LSU was failing to execute. The Tigers were missing tackles and getting driven off the ball.
LSU wasn’t prepared for Texas A&M’s physicality in the second half.
Where does LSU go from here?
At 6-2, LSU is still in the playoff race, even if help is needed. A 10-2 SEC team has a chance to find its way in but the margin for error is nonexistent.
LSU will have to win out. That includes beating Alabama, going on the road to Florida, and potentially tricky games with Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.
As far as the SEC race goes, going through all the potential tiebreak solutions is pointless at the moment. That’ll sort itself out in the coming weeks.
This loss is a disappointment, especially with the optimism surrounding LSU in recent weeks. LSU isn’t a title contender right now.
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The Tigers should be closer to full health when they face South Carolina in Saturday’s SEC opener.
LSU got its first win of the season against Nicholls on Saturday night, and it did so without several key players available.
Receivers [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Parker[/autotag] as well as guard [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag] and tight end [autotag]Ka’Morreun Pimpton[/autotag] all missed the game with injuries, while the Tigers suffered a major loss as defensive tackle [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag] tore his Achilles and will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery Monday.
Brian Kelly updated the status of the injured players on Monday ahead of Week 3’s SEC opener at South Carolina, explaining that Dellinger was cleared to practice this week and likely would have played on Saturday if the stakes were higher.
When it comes to the receivers, Kelly said that Parker is “improving” as he tries to get full strength back after suffering a UCL injury. Kelly added that he expects Parker should be able to suit up on Saturday.
Hilton’s status is a bit more in question after missing the first two games with a bone bruise in his ankle. Kelly said Hilton remains day-to-day and while he’s running and back to full functionality, it will be a matter of pain tolerance that determines whether he plays against the Gamecocks.
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Chris Hilton Jr. and Kyle Parker are out Saturday while Garrett Dellinger was listed as questionable.
As LSU returns home from Las Vegas, where it lost 27-20 to USC in its season-opener, coach Brian Kelly’s squad has suffered a few bumps and bruises.
Kelly updated the injury report on Thursday ahead of the Tigers’ Week 2 home opener against Nicholls on Saturday, and it looks like we’ll see the same receiving corps we saw in the second half.
Both [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], who missed the opener with a bone bruise in his ankle, and [autotag]Kyle Parker[/autotag], who started in his place but exited early with a UCL injury, are out for this week.
Kelly also listed starting left guard [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag] as questionable.
Without Hilton and Parker, LSU will likely rely heavily on players like [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag], who had a breakout performance in Week 1, and [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag] in their place. Redshirt freshman Shelton Sampson Jr. could also be poised to see increased reps.
If Dellinger can’t make the start, we could potentially see redshirt freshmen [autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag] or [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag] in his place.
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2025 Senior Bowl Roster
