Tag: Paul Mubenga

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.

Brian Kelly updates injury status for key offensive player

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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LSU-Texas A&M Thursday Injury Report: Brian Kelly updates status on pair of LSU receivers

The Tigers are dealing with a few injuries heading into Saturday’s high-stakes matchup against Texas A&M.

LSU updated its injury report on Thursday heading into a critical Week 9 showdown against Texas A&M, and the Tigers continue to deal with some questions at the receiver position.

Once again, [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] has been listed as questionable as he’s yet to make his season debut after suffering a bone bruise in fall camp. Coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] did provide some reason for optimism on Thursday, however, telling the media that he was a full participant in practice.

The question with Hilton is now a matter of conditioning, Kelly said.

“I think we’re probably going to list him questionable,” Kelly said. “But he’s made progress. This has been a slow process for us and him. I think more than anything else, you don’t bring a wide receiver back after this long out unless he’s properly conditioned because then you go pull a hamstring, right?

“It’s not the leg anymore, and we’re not concerned, and he’s not concerned about the leg. This is much more about a conditioning element relative to soft tissue more than anything else. So, we’re in a pretty good position here now. This is just getting him game-ready.”

His return would be welcome, especially considering questions about the health of fellow wideout [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag], who was downgraded to questionable on Thursday. Daniels missed the win over Ole Miss but returned against Arkansas last week, catching seven passes for 86 yards.

In addition to potentially both starting receivers, LSU will be without a couple of impactful players. Safety [autotag]Jordan Allen[/autotag] is set to miss another week as he battles turf toe, Kelly confirmed Thursday.

“We’re talking about something that just is time, especially at the safety position, the inability to play at the level he needs to play at,” Kelly said.

Further, backup offensive lineman [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag], who is capable of playing all over the line, will be out. Kelly said [autotag]Bo Bordelon[/autotag] and [autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag] are players who could potentially step up to fill a gap if needed.

“Bo Bordelon would be the next guy depending on if it’s a tackle or guard. If it’s a guard, Paul Mubenga would come in,” Kelly said.

The Tigers are clearly not at 100%, but there’s some optimism it could be at full strength in the passing game for the first time this season as the run game is finally starting to emerge with running back [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] listed as probable coming into this game.

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Brian Kelly updates LSU injury report ahead of Week 2 matchup vs. Nicholls

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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LSU WR Chris Hilton Jr. questionable for season-opener vs. USC with bone bruise

Chris Hilton Jr. is dealing with a bone bruise while guard Miles Frazier was listed as probable in Monday’s injury report from Brian Kelly.

LSU is preparing to travel to Las Vegas to begin the 2024 season against USC on Sunday, and it could be without one of its starting receivers in that game.

Coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] updated the injury report heading into the week on Monday and said that [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] is questionable for Sunday’s season-opener after suffering a bone bruise.

“He has a bone bruise, he is working through that process but today he’ll be listed in that category,” Kelly said.

Hilton has dealt with injuries and being buried on the depth chart through his first three seasons, but he’s coming off a career-best 225-yard, two-touchdown campaign in which he appeared in 11 games with two starts.

Kelly said Hilton was listed as questionable because the training staff hadn’t seen him get the opportunity to “move around.”

If he’s unable to play, redshirt freshman [autotag]Kyle Parker[/autotag] would get the starting nod. Parker appeared in four games as a true freshman last fall but was not targeted.

Kelly also listed starting right guard [autotag]Miles Frazier[/autotag] on the injury report as probable. The former FIU transfer enters his third year as a starter at LSU, and if he isn’t able to suit up, the Tigers will turn to one of their redshirt freshman depth pieces in [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag] or [autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag].

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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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2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 65 Paul Mubenga

We’re looking at a true freshman from Buford, Georgia, in Paul Mubenga.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

We’re looking at one of LSU’s true freshmen along the offensive line in Buford, Georgia, native [autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag]. Hailing from powerhouse Buford High School, which Kelly has recruited heavily and produced LSU long snappers [autotag]Reid Ferguson[/autotag] and [autotag]Blake Ferguson[/autotag], the former three-star recruit will look to make an impact with the Tigers.

Paul Mubenga Preseason Player Profile

Four-star offensive tackle DJ Chester commits to LSU, bumps 2023 class into top five

The top-150 prospect’s pledge moved the Tigers’ recruiting class up to No. 4 in the nation.

The Tigers aren’t done yet when it comes to adding players to their 2023 recruiting class, and now they boast a group of players that ranks in the top five nationally.

On Thursday morning, LSU picked up an absolutely massive commitment from four-star Eagles Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.) offensive tackle [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag]. He becomes the fourth offensive line commitment in the class, joining [autotag]Zalance Heard[/autotag], [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag] and [autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag].

The Tigers had long been seen as the favorite for Chester, who ranks as the No. 13 offensive tackle and No. 138 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class. He’s also a top-10 prospect in the state of Georgia.

Chester’s addition bumps LSU’s 24-man 2023 recruiting class into the No. 4 spot on the 247Sports Composite Rankings behind just Alabama, Georgia and Notre Dame and just ahead of Ohio State and Texas. On3, meanwhile, kept the Tigers at No. 5 following Chester’s pledge.

LSU could see its class rise in the rankings even more as it remains in the running for a couple of five stars in [autotag]Desmond Ricks[/autotag] and [autotag]Nyckoles Harbor[/autotag]. It is also the favorite for [autotag]Javien Toviano[/autotag], a top-100 cornerback from Texas.

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Blue-chip LSU target has made decision, will announce commitment Thursday

One of the Tigers’ top remaining prospects, offensive tackle DJ Chester, is coming off the board this week.

As we enter the final month of the 2022 regular season, early signing day is fast approaching.

LSU already has a top-10 class, but it’s hoping for even better as it remains in the running for a number of talented, uncommitted prospects. One of them, four-star offensive tackle [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag], is set to announce his decision this week.

The McDonough, Georgia, native plays for Eagles Landing Christian Academy, and after an official visit to Ann Arbor for Michigan’s win over rival Michigan State, Chester is ready to make his decision.

He will announce his commitment on Thursday around 8:30 a.m. CT and will choose between a top six that includes LSU, Florida State, Michigan, Ole Miss, Auburn and Florida A&M. Chester told On3 that he is “at peace” with his decision.

The Tigers have two Crystal Ball projections for Chester from 247Sports — which ranks him as the No. 13 offensive tackle and No. 138 overall player. LSU is also a heavy favorite according to On3, which has a 95.4% chance of landing him.

If the Tigers can land Chester, it would give them four offensive line commits in the class as he would join [autotag]Zalance Heard[/autotag], [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag] and [autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag].

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LSU picks up a prediction for four-star offensive lineman

The Tigers are the favorite to land another blue-chip offensive line prospect.

[autotag]D.J. Chester[/autotag] is a four-star, 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman from McDonough, Georgia, where he plays for Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy. The Chargers have started the 2022 season 1-2 following a 28-21 loss to Calvary Day last week.

On3’s Shea Dixon recently predicted that Chester would commit to LSU. Chester is also Crystal Balled to commit to LSU per 247Sports. If Chester were to commit, he would become the fourth offensive lineman commit of the 2023 class, joining [autotag]Zalance Heard[/autotag], [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag], and [autotag]Paul Mubenga[/autotag].

The Tigers 2023 class currently ranks as the No. 7 class in the country, but it is in the mix for several more blue-chip recruits and could end up in the top five.

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