Tag: LSU defensive line

Brian Kelly breaks down LSU’s defensive line depth in 2023

Here’s how the depth is shaping up on the defensive line as spring comes to a close.

With [autotag]Dashawn Womack[/autotag] and [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] getting back to the practice field, LSU’s defensive line is looking healthier.

However, don’t expect to see them out there on Saturday.

“It’s just not something that is worth the risk,” Kelly said when discussing potentially playing Smith, who is coming off a torn ACL, in the spring game.

With LSU thin all spring on the defensive line, several players got more reps this spring. Kelly believes that’s helped LSU improves its depth. On four-star freshman [autotag]Jaxon Howard[/autotag], Kelly said he benefited from extra work that wouldn’t have been there if LSU was fully healthy.

On the interior, [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag] also impressed Kelly, getting plenty of reps at several spots up front. [autotag]Paris Shand[/autotag], the Arizona transfer with a chance to take over for [autotag]Ali Gaye[/autotag], has also made strides.

“You could see his progress and his grit kind of grow throughout the spring to the point where we were like, that was a really good spring for him,” Kelly said.

Kelly also cited [autotag]Tygee Hill[/autotag] and [autotag]Fitzgerald West[/autotag] as two guys who benefitted from the available work.

The main takeaway: Kelly likes the depth LSU has up front.

Smith and [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] are surefire starters up the middle, but it’s wide open outside of that.

It’s also worth noting this group has been working under interim defensive line coach [autotag]Gerald Chatman[/autotag] as LSU looks to replace [autotag]Jamar Cain[/autotag].

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LSU State of the Program: Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo anchor defensive line

Two stars on the interior will hold down LSU’s DL in 2023.

LSU’s spring practice begins on Thursday.

It’s the first real public step on the march to the 2023 kickoff against Florida State. It’s Year 2 under coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], and like last year, plenty of eyes are on Baton Rouge.

LSU’s expected to begin the year as a top 10 team and one of the reasons is a strong defensive line. We continue our state of the program series, looking at that defensive line that’s led by a couple of big names on the interior: [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] and [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag]. LSU’s also added several transfers with a couple of key blue-chip recruits.

Let’s jump right in.

(Check out our previous State of the Program overviews on the quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends and the offensive line.)

Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo key to LSU’s title hopes in 2023

LSU’s stars on the interior could be the catalyst on defense.

The Georgia Bulldogs have taken ahold of college football over the last two years.

Unseating Alabama, Georgia won back-to-back national titles. Both games were double-digit wins. UGA’s lost just one game since 2021 kicked off. It was a loss to the Tide in the 2021 SEC title, which was later avenged in the national title.

The Bulldogs have done it with a dominant and punishing defense. The units are strong from top to bottom, with NFL players at every level. But one position has stuck out — interior defensive line.

Georgia’s had several players at that spot that completely change the defense. The 2021 squad was headlined by Jordan Davis. This past fall, Jalen Carter stepped into the spotlight.

LSU hopes its interior defensive line can have a similar impact in 2023.

Entering 2022, [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] was supposed to be a star. Everything was lining up for the five-star to be one of the country’s best defenders. A torn ACL in the opener threw a wrench into that plan.

Transfer [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] stepped in. Wingo excelled, earning third-team All-America honors. Smith’s injury, while still a massive loss, did not derail LSU’s defense.

This fall, Smith is expected to be back healthy along with Wingo. Defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] could be able to have two elite defensive tackles, much like the present, elite Georgia defenses have.

The interior defensive line doesn’t generate as much discussion as other spots. In draft season, a lot of the conversation revolves around the edge rushers, not the big men in the middle.

But strength in the interior could be what separates the good, great, and elite.

Teams that can push the pocket from the middle are disruptive. The best QBs can work around edge rushers. It naturally takes time to come from the edge and QBs with good timing can get the ball out before the pass rushers get there.

Disruption from the middle becomes more problematic. Timing is challenged, eyelines are blocked, the pocket collapses. The QB could be forced to run out to where the edge rusher or blitzer is coming from.

It gives the defense flexibility too. Good DTs make everyone around them better. Offensive lines have to divert more attention in that direction.

Linebackers and safeties can play a more disciplined style of football because they know the guys in front of them can plug the run. It changes the entire outlook of the unit.

LSU has championship aspirations in 2023. Smith and Wingo aren’t the only key pieces returning and both coordinators could be back as well. On the interior, LSU could be better than it has been in some time, and that could be the key to the Tigers’ hopes and dreams.

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LSU DL Maason Smith named to Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks’ list

LSU DL Maason Smith could be one of the top DL in the country this fall due to his exceptional athletic ability.

On Wednesday, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman released his annual “Freaks” list.

According to Feldman, the list is compiled of “the players who generate buzz inside their programs by displaying the unique physical abilities that wow even those who observe gifted athletes every day.”

In other words, these are the guys that jump off the screen. The types of players that NFL scouts can’t get enough of come draft season.

LSU DL Maason Smith made the list, coming in at 12.

Feldman said that Smith hit 19.5 MPH on the GPS this summer and has an 11-foot vertical.

This is a guy who’s listed at 6’5′ and 300 lbs. on LSU’s website. To have that type of athletic ability with that size gives him a chance to do some disruptive things on a football field.

As a freshman, Smith tallied 16 pressures and four sacks despite playing in just nine games. He showed an ability to play all over the line, lining up inside and at defensive end. He has the chance to be a physical force in 2022.

The defensive line should be the strength of LSU’s defense this fall. Along with Smith, the unit is led by B.J. Ojulari and Jaquelin Roy. Transfer Mekhi Wingo, who like Smith, was a freshman last fall, has a chance to be a big contributor as well.

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