Tag: Josh Reed

LSU receiver Malik Nabers declares for 2024 NFL draft

Malik Nabers leaves LSU as the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards.

In a move that came as no surprise, LSU wide receiver [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] officially declared for the 2024 NFL draft on Saturday night.

The leading receiver for the Tigers over the last two seasons, Nabers is coming off a career year in 2023. He finished as the runner-up for the Biletnikoff Award and, as of publication, he leads the nation with 1,569 receiving yards.

He also had 14 receiving touchdowns on the year during his junior season.

Nabers is projected as a potential top-10 pick, though he finds himself in a deep receiver class that includes the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, Keon Coleman and his LSU teammate [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag]

Nabers finishes his career as LSU’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 3,004 as he surpassed [autotag]Josh Reed[/autotag] in his final outing in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

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Everything Brian Kelly said after LSU’s ReliaQuest Bowl comeback win over Wisconsin

Brian Kelly secured his second-straight 10-win finish as the coach at LSU on Monday.

LSU didn’t elevate to a College Football Playoff level in 2023, but it ended the season on a high note with a 35-31 comeback win — the largest in program history — to beat Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.

With [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] opting out, [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] made the first start in his three-year LSU career. After a slow start for the offense, Nussmeier ultimately impressed, throwing for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns.

[autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] was the star in the passing game as [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] sat most of the contest, but he did play long enough to break LSU’s all-time career receiving yards record, previously held by [autotag]Josh Reed[/autotag].

As [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] ended his second season by reaching the 10-win threshold once again, here’s everything he said addressing the media after the victory.

BREAKING: Malik Nabers sets LSU’s program receiving record in ReliaQuest Bowl

Malik Nabers broke LSU’s program receiving yards record on Monday.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] made history on Saturday morning, setting LSU’s program receiving yards record.

Nabers began the game with a nine-yard catch, one of two catches on the opening drive.

Nabers broke the record on LSU’s third drive when [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] found him for 11 yards on first and 10.

[autotag]Josh Reed[/autotag] held the record for over 20 years. Despite all the talent that’s come through Baton Rouge at receiver, it remained untouched until Nabers joined Reed as the only other LSU receiver to cross the 3,000 career receiving yards record.

Projected to be an early first-round pick, Nabers chose to play in the bowl game, citing his desire to set the record as a key motivator. Nabers continues to build on his program receptions record, which he set in the regular season finale against Texas A&M.

 

This fall, Nabers led the country in receiving yards while sitting second nationally in touchdowns.

Nabers has yet to officially declare for the NFL draft, but it’s expected he’ll be off to the pros.

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Malik Nabers named a Biletnikoff Award finalist

Malik Nabers was named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award on Tuesday.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] was named a Biletnikoff Award finalist on Tuesday. The Biletnikoff is awarded annually to the best pass-catcher in college football.

Nabers leads the country with 1,546 receiving yards, over 100 more than second-place Malik Washington with 1,426 yards.

After leading the SEC in catches last year, Nabers entered the year with high expectations. He took it to another level, becoming a premier big play threat, leading the country with 34 20+ yard plays to go along with 12 touchdowns and 86 catches.

Nabers is threatening to break LSU’s all-time receiving yards record, and if he plays in the bowl game, he’ll need just 22 yards to surpass [autotag]Josh Reed[/autotag].

Nabers would be the third receiver in LSU’s history to take the Biletnikoff home along with Reed in 2001 and [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag] in 2019.

Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Washington’s Rome Odunze joined Nabers as finalists. The winner will be announced Friday, Dec. 8 at The College Football Awards on ESPN.

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Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr. named Biletnikoff Award semifinalists

Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. have been the best receiving duo in the country this season.

A pair of LSU receivers have been nominated for the most prestigious pass-catching award in the country.

Both [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] were listed among the 10 semifinalists to win the Biletnikoff Award, which is generally won by receivers but also open to tight ends, as evidenced by the presence of Georgia’s Brock Bowers among the semifinalists.

Nabers leads the nation in receiving yards with 1,424, and he ranks fourth with 12 touchdowns. His 80 receptions also leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally.

Thomas, meanwhile, has also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark and leads the nation with 14 receiving touchdowns. The star receiving duo have both gone over 100 yards receiving five times this season.

Nabers and Thomas are looking to become the third LSU player to win the Biletnikoff, joining [autotag]Josh Reed[/autotag] in 2001 and [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag] in 2019.

Here are all 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff.

Brock Bowers (TE), Georgia
Luther Burden III (WR), Missouri
Keon Coleman (WR), Florida State
Troy Franklin (WR), Oregon
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR), Ohio State
Xavier Legette (WR), South Carolina
Malik Nabers (WR), LSU
Rome Odunze (WR), Washington
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR), LSU
Malik Washington (WR), Virginia

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Can Malik Nabers set LSU’s all-time receiving record?

Malik Nabers could set LSU’s all-time receiving record if he keeps this pace up.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag]’ 981 receiving yards lead the country after eight weeks.

The star receiver entered the year with plenty of hype, but is finding ways to exceed it, boosting his draft stock in the process.

Nabers is climbing LSU’s program leaderboards and at this rate, he’s given himself a chance to set LSU’s career receiving yards record.

He’s currently seventh in program history, tied with [autotag]Justin Jefferson[/autotag] at 2,415 yards. Nabers will likely jump Jefferson on Saturday night and needs 102 yards to catch [autotag]Brandon LaFell[/autotag] in fifth place.

[autotag]Josh Reed[/autotag] is all the way up at No. 1, with 3,001 career yards. Nobody’s really come close to Reed since that record was set, but Nabers will.

There are a few ways to look at this here. Nabers has four regular season games left to play. After that, we don’t know what LSU’s season will look like yet.

LSU could beat Alabama and make the SEC title game, giving the Tigers an extra game and an outside shot at the playoff. But it could go the other way too, which could lead to some of LSU’s NFL talent opting out of the bowl game.

That means there’s a scenario where Nabers only plays four more games. He’d have to average 146.5 yards per game to hit 3,001 by the end of the regular season. That’s well above the 122.6 he’s averaging already this year.

But if LSU does beat Bama and get that SEC title game, Nabers only needs 117.2 per game. That also applies if LSU loses to Alabama but Nabers still elects to play in the bowl game.

If Nabers ends up playing six more games, he’ll need just 97.8 yards per game. That’s manageable given this offensive output.

The program career receptions record is in play too. Nabers needs 27 catches to tie [autotag]Wendell Davis[/autotag] at 183.

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Where Malik Nabers stands in Mel Kiper’s updated 2024 NFL draft big board

Malik Nabers is widely projected as a top 10-15 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

We’re beyond the halfway mark in the 2023 college football season, and that means draft talk will be heating up before we know it.

LSU boasts one of the best offenses in the country this season, and [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] has been a major reason behind the ascendance of both quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] to a Heisman candidate as well as the unit as a whole.

Nabers is having a career year, pacing the nation in receiving yards while also hauling in nine touchdowns. He’s just 19 yards away from joining [autotag]Josh Reed[/autotag] as the only LSU receiver to register back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and he’s widely regarded as a top 10-15 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

It should come as no surprise that he’s the most heralded draft prospect on this team, ranking 12th overall on Mel Kiper’s updated big board.

Nabers’ best trait? It’s speed. He can take the top off the defense. He was consistent last season, showing off elite separation skills and the ability to high-point receptions. He also was balanced, catching 35 passes when lined up in the slot and 37 when lined up out wide. That versatility will matter at the next level.

Nabers has good hands and showed toughness in taking a shot while hauling in a catch over the middle of the field. He tracks the ball exceptionally well. He gets easy separation on cornerbacks. I have been impressed with his run-after-the-catch ability. He lit up Mississippi State with 13 catches for 239 yards and two scores earlier this season. In total, he has 56 catches for 981 yards and nine TDs.

Nabers was the only LSU player to make the top 25 overall, but several other players were ranked in the top 10 at their positions. Daniels ranks as the No. 8 quarterback, while defensive tackle [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] sits at No. 7 among defensive tackles.

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Two LSU players named to midseason All-America teams by AP

Malik Nabers and Jayden Daniels have been an unstoppable duo this season for LSU.

LSU’s offense has been one of the best in the entire country as we’ve reached the midway point in the season, and so it should come as no surprise that a pair of Tigers were named to the midseason All-America team by the Associated Press.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag], who leads the nation in receiving yards with 860 to go with seven touchdowns, is listed on the First Team. He’s currently on pace to record his second 1,000-yard campaign, which would make him the second Tiger after [autotag]Josh Reed[/autotag] to do so.

[autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], meanwhile, has been named to the Second Team. A legitimate Heisman contender, Daniels is averaging more than 400 total yards per game, which leads the nation. He ranks second nationally (and leads the SEC) in touchdown passes, and he’s scored 26 total TDs on the year.

Both players have been a key part of LSU’s success this season, and they’ve led a special offense that will go down with the 2019 unit as among the best in program history.

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Which program records could LSU WR Malik Nabers set?

What program records could star LSU receiver Malik Nabers set this fall?

Big things are once again expected of LSU’s pass-catching group. While it doesn’t have the same level of returning experience that last year’s did, the talent remains on par with the 2022 group.

Despite the plethora of options, LSU’s passing game will be the [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] show.

Nabers was [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag]’ favorite target last year and with another offseason under their belts, the chemistry should only be improved.

If Nabers stays healthy, he’s going to put up big numbers. He already led the SEC in catches as a sophomore and finished 2022 with a career-high of 163 yards in the bowl game.

If Nabers lives up to expectations, he’ll find himself moving up LSU’s all-time leaderboards.

8 LSU football records that could be broken

These records could be set to fall soon.

Records are set to be broken.

With each passing year, new standards are set. Some are more impressive than others. Earlier this week, I took a look at six LSU football records that will never be broken.

It’s time to flip it and look at some that could. Some of these are single-game records, others are single-season, and even some are career ones.

The single-season and single-game records are always the toughest to predict. There’s no statistical pace to base a projection on. Career records are different. You can look at a player’s first couple of years and see what it would take to reach that career mark.

Here’s a look at eight LSU football records that could soon fall.