Tag: LSU Depth Chart

LSU running back Armoni Goodwin doubtful for Florida State game

LSU will likely be without RB Armoni Goodwin on Sunday night.

LSU will be doing something different this fall.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] will be releasing official injury reports similar to those seen at the NFL level.

At his press conference on Monday, he revealed running back [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag] is doubtful for LSU’s opener against Florida State.

Goodwin dealt with injuries in 2021 and 2022. He was out for the entirety of spring practice.

Prior to his injury last year, Goodwin looked to be emerging as LSU’s top back after leading LSU backs in rushing in weeks two and three. Goodwin has practiced this fall, but this could be LSU being careful with a player who’s dealt with his fair share of injuries while in Baton Rouge.

When healthy, Goodwin ranked second in yards after contact per rush among SEC running backs with at least 45 carries.

LSU has better depth at running back this year so it should be able to deal with the loss. Goodwin can bring much needed explosiveness to LSU’s offense upon his return.

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Brian Kelly explains why he’s not releasing a depth chart yet

Brian Kelly may know which direction he’s leaning in for several position battles, but he’s keeping it to himself for now.

As fall camp continues and we’re just a couple weeks away from football being played, teams’ depth charts are beginning to take shape.

Coaches are beginning to have a feel for what they have at each position, and starters are beginning to emerge.

While LSU coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] may know how things will ultimately shake out, he’s keeping things quiet. The Tigers haven’t released a depth chart publicly, and Kelly told the media on Wednesday that they haven’t announced one privately, either.

“We’ve purposely not put out one, like if you went into our locker room we don’t have a depth chart,” Kelly said, per On3. “My experience is once you put up a depth chart, you can go one of two ways. You can become really selfish or really upset. I just kind of stay away from them and we just kind of let them go out and compete every day.”

While Kelly may know who will ultimately earn starting jobs, it seems he doesn’t want to negatively impact his players’ motivation.

It seems Tigers fans will have to wait to figure out how the depth chart breaks down at positions with key battles, namely running back and cornerback.

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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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Projecting the stats for LSU receivers in 2023

Here’s what to expect from LSU’s receivers in 2023.

Despite losing [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaray Jenkins[/autotag], LSU returns a talented wide receiver room in 2023.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] enters his junior year after leading the SEC in catches last year. Behind Nabers, there’s [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], both of which earned praise from offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] this spring.

There’s also [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag], one of the sport’s most impressive freshmen in 2022.

When I did this last year, I got a bit too eager with the projections. This year, I’ve taken more of a conservative approach. With that out of the way, lets jump right in and take a look at what we might see from LSU’s receivers this fall.

Recapping biggest news out of LSU’s spring practice

Here’s everything you might have missed from LSU’s ongoing spring practices.

LSU’s spring practice has been going on for over a month now. It’s set to conclude next week with a final event in Tiger Stadium. It won’t be a traditional spring game, and coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] still hasn’t announced all of the details for what that practice might look like.

Every program views spring practice in a different way. It can be hard to make any conclusions this time of year. Another transfer window awaits, some freshmen have yet to arrive and fall practice will bring its own narratives.

That being said, there’s still a good bit to get caught up on. Here’s all the news you might have missed from LSU’s spring practice so far.

Sage Ryan seeing time as LSU’s starting nickel in spring practice

Matt House likes the growth he’s seeing from Ryan

[autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag] is one just a few returning defensive backs that saw significant playing time in 2022.

According to defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag], he could be in line for more in 2023. Ryan has been running with the first-teamers as LSU’s nickel back in spring practice.

Ryan, a five-star recruit in 2021, is entering his third year with the program.

Ryan made plays here and there but struggled to establish consistency. His playing time varied last year. He had four games with 10 snaps or less but also crossed the 40-play mark a couple of times.

He saw a lot of action against Purdue where he arguably had his best coverage game. He allowed just 6.2 yards per target against the Boilermakers and broke up a pass.

According to PFF, Ryan missed just one tackle the entire year.

Despite the flashes of talent, there were some not-so-good moments. Ryan had a 119.7 passer rating when targeted.

In the slot, that number went up to 124.3, which ranked last in the SEC among corners with at least 70 snaps in the slot.

Ryan’s athleticism and versatility offer a lot. If he can take another jump in pass coverage, he could become a solid contributor for this defense. It sounds like House is pleased with the progress he’s seeing from Ryan.

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LSU State of the Program: Secondary looks to build a foundation

Here’s what to expect from LSU’s secondary this year and moving forward.

Thinking about the lead-up to last season, I think I wrote more about LSU’s new-look secondary than anything else. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] rebuilding the room from scratch was a major storyline.

A year later, I’m getting deja vu. LSU, once again, has taken to the portal to fill out the secondary.

Several of last year’s additions were on the older side, approaching the end of their eligibility or in the case of [autotag]Mekhi Garner[/autotag] and [autotag]Jay Ward[/autotag], ready to declare for the draft.

[autotag]Jarrick Bernard-Converse[/autotag], [autotag]Joe Foucha[/autotag] and [autotag]Colby Richardson[/autotag] are gone, too.

A few younger players choose to exit through the portal. [autotag]Raydarious Jones[/autotag], [autotag]Jaelyn Davis-Robinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Damarius McGhee[/autotag] will all be playing elsewhere.

There’s no cause for concern yet with some of the portal’s best corners set to wear purple and gold. Here’s what the group looks like in 2023 and beyond.

LSU State of the Program: Linebackers an intriguing group in 2023

Here’s how LSU’s linebacker room shakes out entering 2023.

Spring practice is underway at LSU.

The Tigers got a couple of sessions in before heading to spring break. When they return, the action will ramp up and eventually conclude with a final event in Tiger Stadium.

Throughout the spring, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the state of LSU’s program.

With just a couple of groups to go, we’re focusing on the linebackers today. This is one of the more intriguing spots on the roster given the star power of [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag]. However, there are some questions when it comes to depth.

Let’s jump right in, starting with the immediate future.

(Check out the previous posts in our State of the Program series on LSU’s quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, offensive line and defensive line.)

5 LSU players with the most to gain in spring practice

These guys could benefit quite a bit from spring ball.

“There’s no scoreboard out in spring practice. There’s no winners. There’s no losers.”

That’s how [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] opened his spring practice press conference, emphasizing development and attention to detail, rather than leaning into any big narrative.

Kelly’s making it clear. Don’t overreact to spring ball.

With that being said, these practices aren’t irrelevant. It’s a small sample size compared to an entire offseason but coaches are going to notice guys who have taken a step forward.

On-field practices offer a chance for new leaders to emerge too. Here, we’ll look at five guys who have the most to gain this spring.

LSU State of the Program: Offensive line could make the jump from good to elite

LSU’s offensive line is filled with promise.

LSU’s offensive line took a leap forward in 2022. It was young, but the promise shown was one of the most exciting elements of Brian Kelly’s first year in Baton Rouge.

With spring practice approaching, those young guns up front are set to return with more experience. As the ramp-up to 2023 continues, we’re taking a look at the state of LSU football, position by position.

Already done are the skill guys: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.

Now, we’re moving on to the offensive line. Let’s jump right in and examine what could be one of LSU’s best groups this fall.