Tag: Tre Bradford

LSU RB Noah Cain declares for 2024 NFL draft

Another one of LSU’s running backs is moving on as Noah Cain is off to the NFL.

Another one of LSU’s running backs has decided to seek greener pastures. [autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag] has decided to enter his name into the NFL draft.

The senior running back from Baton Rouge appeared in 27 games during his LSU career and had 113 carries for 590 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Cain spent the first three years of his career at Happy Valley, where he was the star running back for the Penn State Nittany Lions. With the loss of Cain, LSU has now lost four players — Cain, [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag], [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag] and [autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag] — from last year’s running back room. The Tigers will look to a lot of young running backs to build the future.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] will lean on [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag], [autotag]Trey Holly[/autotag] and [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag], as well as potentiall Josh Williams, who is yet to make an NFL decision, to tote the load for the Tigers in a tough SEC schedule.

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LSU is yet to lose a big name to the transfer portal

LSU has held its core intact so far despite the transfer portal opening.

Upon the transfer portal opening on Monday, over 1,000 names flooded the market.

In the case of LSU, the Tigers have avoided bad news thus far and are yet to lose a significant contributor from the 2023 roster.

As of Friday morning, six Tigers entered the portal.

  • RB [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag]
  • TE [autotag]Jackson McGohan[/autotag]
  • DL [autotag]Bryce Langston[/autotag]
  • CB [autotag]Laterrance Welch[/autotag]
  • DE [autotag]Quency Wiggins[/autotag]
  • RB [autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag]

The running back depth takes a hit with Goodwin and Bradford out, but Goodwin didn’t see the field in 2023 as he continued to deal with injuries. Bradford made a big play to start the year with a catch and run against Florida State, but after that, he fell on the RB depth chart.

LSU’s losing a combined 22 snaps between its three offensive transfers in the portal.

As for the defense, the losses are slightly more significant. Welch is a former four-star recruit who saw a good bit of time in LSU’s thinned-out secondary. However, LSU opted to play true freshmen in place of Welch down the stretch, so his portal entry comes as no surprise.

Up front, LSU loses Wiggins and Langston. The two combined for 19 snaps this year, but could have had a shot at more time next year.

But they fit the profile of names you’d expect to hit the portal in this era.

You never want to see roster attrition, but to this point, LSU’s core is holding strong. We’re seeing schools across the country lose significant contributors. If you can hold on to those guys, it’s a win. LSU’s doing something right in that regard.

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LSU defensive lineman enters the transfer portal

The Tigers lost another depth piece on defense Sunday night.

LSU hasn’t seen a ton of departures to the transfer portal so far, but it has lost a few depth pieces.

It suffered another loss on Sunday night as defensive lineman [autotag]Bryce Langston[/autotag] announced that he would be entering the portal, which officially opened at midnight on Monday.

A former four-star recruit and top 200 prospect in the 2021 class who signed under [autotag]Ed Orgeron[/autotag], Langston hasn’t seen a ton of action during his time in Baton Rouge. In three seasons, he’s appeared in just four games for the Tigers, totaling three tackles.

Two of those came in his lone appearance this fall in LSU’s 72-10 home opening win over Grambling.

Langston becomes the fourth scholarship player to enter the portal, joining running backs [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag] and [autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag] as well as cornerback [autotag]Laterrance Welch[/autotag].

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LSU RB Tre Bradford expected to enter transfer portal, per report

LSU’s deep running back room has seen another departure.

The transfer portal doesn’t officially open for non-graduate football players until Monday, but a high number of players have already announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal.

Included in that are several players from LSU’s deep running back room. [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag] and walk-on Corren Norman plan to enter the portal, and now they’ll be joined by [autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag], according to a report from 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

A four-star recruit in the 2020 class, Bradford initially transferred to Oklahoma briefly following the 2021 season before returning to the Tigers, though he wouldn’t officially rejoin the team until this summer. He appeared in just one game this fall, starting the opener against Florida State.

In that game, he saw four carries for one yard and had a catch for 55 yards, but he was quickly supplanted by [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag], [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] and others in the running back room.

In three seasons at LSU, Bradford appeared in seven games with two starts, seeing just 16 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. After a winding career with the Tigers that was marked by a departure and eligibility issues, Bradford will look for a fresh start elsewhere.

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Brian Kelly talks about his stable of running backs

It’s no secret that LSU has a stable full of uber-talented running backs this season.

It’s no secret that LSU has a stable full of uber-talented running backs this season. [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag], [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag], [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag], [autotag]Trey Holly[/autotag], [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag], [autotag]Malachi Lane[/autotag] and [autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag] make up what could be one of the best running back corps in the country.

Having that many talented running backs is all fun and games until it comes time to divvy out the carries among each of them. The Tigers have not run into that as much yet due to injuries and whatever is going on with Emery. We got our first look at Diggs against Grambling last weekend and he looked like he could be the feature back. Here is what [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] had to say about his running backs.

“We’re gonna feature a guy that is feeling it and is, ‘hot’, if you will,” he said. “We have enough depth that we can spell a guy and I think that’s a good thing. I still think that we are in a position to find out who that featured player is but I still think we can play multiple backs and still have the kind of continuity at the position that is necessary.”

We will see how the running back room develops over the season.

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Instant Analysis: Florida State pulls away in second half to spoil LSU’s opener

LSU’s season began with a sour taste in Orlando on Sunday night.

On the very first play of LSU’s 2023 campaign, quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] found running back [autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag] on a brilliantly designed wheel route for a 55-yard gain.

One play later, Daniels connected with tight end [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] on a 15-yard gain to bring the Tigers to Florida State’s 5-yard line, and coach Brian Kelly’s team was in business.

But the drive stalled from there, and a failed fourth-down conversion squandered the opportunity for LSU to start the game with a scoring drive. Those missed opportunities ultimately cost the No. 5 Tigers against the No. 8 Seminoles on Sunday night in Orlando.

Despite taking a 17-14 lead to the locker room, Florida State dominated the final two quarters, keeping LSU off the scoreboard until the final two minutes en route to a statement 45-24 win.

LSU’s defensive front mostly lived up to the hype, holding a talented Seminoles rushing attack in check for much of the game. But the Tigers’ new-look secondary didn’t have the best day.

The team struggled to contain Florida State receivers Keon Coleman (9 catches, 122 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Johnny Wilson (7 catches, 104 yards), and quarterback Jordan Travis delivered a gem.

He wasn’t prolific with his legs, though he did finish with 38 yards and a rushing touchdown. But he was very efficient with his arm, completing 23 of 31 passes for 342 yards and four touchdowns, though he did toss one interception to [autotag]Andre Sam[/autotag].

LSU struggled to get the Seminoles off the field, and they were an impressive 9 of 14 on third downs.

It wasn’t exactly a bad night for Daniels and the offense, but it wasn’t a particularly efficient one, either. He totaled 411 yards (347 passing, 64 rushing), but he also threw a pretty bad interception when the margin was still at seven in the fourth quarter, which led to a touchdown.

Outside of Daniels’ contributions and a 35-yard run from [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag], the trio of Williams, Noah Cain and Bradford totaled 14 yards on just 11 carries. [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag], [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] and Taylor had moderate production in the passing game, but there were some drop issues from the receiver group, as well.

Thomas was the only one of the three to find the end zone, scoring in garbage time.

It was a disappointing way to start a season that began with high expectations, and after a three-score loss, the team will hit the drawing board once again as it prepares to host Grambling for its home opener in Week 2.

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Brian Kelly says RB John Emery Jr. ‘unavailable’ for Week 1 against Florida State

Brian Kelly will be without one of his running backs for the season opener against Florida State on Sunday.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] will be without one of his running backs for the season opener against Florida State on Sunday. Kelly announced Wednesday morning that [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag] will be unavailable to play this weekend.

Emery was not able to participate in any team activities this spring and summer due to academic issues. He returned to the team midway through fall camp after he apparently met the expectations the team set for him.

It is unclear if the academics continue to be an issue for him, but nevertheless, Emery will not play Sunday night against Florida State.

Emery, a fifth-year senior, was going to be vying for playing time against a loaded running back room. [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag], [autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag], [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag], [autotag]Trey Holly[/autotag], [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag] and [autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag]. With Goodwin already ruled doubtful for Sunday’s game, the onus was placed on other running backs to produce.

This issue just puts Emery even further behind the eight ball if he wants to show that he is the guy. Now, he is giving one of the younger guys a chance to step up and make a great first impression on the coaches.

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Is Kaleb Jackson LSU’s next star running back?

LSU could have its next rushing star with freshman Kaleb Jackson

LSU’s running back room is flush with veteran options.

[autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag],[autotag] Logan Diggs[/autotag], [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag], [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag], and [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag] have 17 combined years under their belt. [autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag], who had a cup of tea with Oklahoma after beginning his career at LSU in 2020 is back with the team too.

LSU lacks a proven star there, but there’s plenty of depth and experience.

But in fall camp, it’s a true freshman stealing the show.

[autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag], a blue-chip recruit who was top 10 overall in the state and top 10 nationally at his position, impressed in Saturday’s scrimmage.

He took a swing pass from [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], made a couple of guys miss and turned on the jets to take it to the house.

Jackson also notched an 18-yard touchdown run on the day and was tracked reaching speeds over 21 miles per hour.

For a guy who weighs in at 225, that’s elite speed.

From a physicality and athletic standpoint, Jackson looks to have everything you want in a running back. He’s shifty and can make defenders miss, but he also has the size to run through tackles.

That size paired with his pass-catching ability should make him a formidable option on passing downs too.

Expect LSU to stick with its veterans early in the year. Cain and Williams have the trust of the coaching staff right now, so it would make sense if they got the bulk of the snaps against Florida State.

But if Brian Kelly’s 2022 at LSU taught us anything, it’s that he’s going to get guys that can play in the game, even if it means making some schematic adjustments.

It’s early and Jackson will have to keep it up to chip away at the workload slated for the older guys, but expect to see Jackson contribute for LSU at some point this year.

He has the tools to be a star.

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Brian Kelly explains why running back Tre Bradford earned a second chance at LSU

Tre Bradford left the program ahead of the 2022 season, but he earned his way back on the team, according to Brian Kelly.

LSU has a talented running back room entering the 2023 season, but it featured a surprise late addition earlier this summer.

[autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag] is back for his third stint with the team. Originally signing with the Tigers in 2020 out of high school, appeared in five games as a true freshman.

Following that season, he briefly transferred to Oklahoma but returned after just two months and made one appearance with the Tigers in 2021. He was with the team last spring but left ahead of fall camp, and it’s unclear where he spent the 2022 season.

Bradford is back on the roster now, and coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] explained a bit of the long journey it took to get him here.

“The thought process was just giving a man another chance really,” Kelly said. “He had a long road. He had to get back into school on his own, we didn’t help him. He had to do everything and do it on his own… we’re open to second chances here, but this one is on you. You have to prove yourself to the University. And it’s going to be up to the University to decide whether or not they want to re-enroll you. We’re not going to make any calls, we’re not writing any letters.

“If you understand what the guidelines are and you’re able to do that, and then you come here this summer, and our strength coaches sign off on you that you have done everything to warrant an opportunity, then we’ll invite you to camp. And both of those things happened, so he earned a second chance.”

Making an impact in arguably LSU’s deepest position group won’t be easy, but Bradford will try to earn a bit of redemption with his second chance.

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2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 32 Tre Bradford

Tre Bradford has had a winding career, but he’s back with the Tigers this fall.

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 are headed back to the loaded running back room to check out [autotag]Tre Bradford[/autotag], who signed with LSU out of high school then transferred to Oklahoma, and then back to LSU. He has played in six games making only one start in his career as a Tiger.

Bradford didn’t play in 2022, but he’s back on the roster to provide some depth this fall.

Tre Bradford Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Ht: 6-0

Wt: 208

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four Stars | No. 18 in Texas | No. 13 Running Back

Class in 2022: Did not play

Career Stats

Year G Att Yards YPA Rec Yards Total TDs
2020 5 10 58 5.8 3 13 1
2021 1 2 11 5.5 0 0 0

Depth Chart Overview

Bradford had high expectations when he signed at LSU as a top-150 prospect from Dallas in the 2020 recruiting class. He appeared in five games that year as a true freshman, but he saw minimal action. After only attempting 10 carries for 58 yards, he entered the transfer portal.

He landed at Oklahoma, but after just a handful of practices, he decided to re-enter the portal and returned to LSU shortly before the season started. Thanks to a rule allowing players to return to their original school before they’ve appeared in a certain number of practices at their new school, he was given eligibility in 2021.

In spite of that, he battled injuries and appeared in just one game, taking two carries for 11 yards. His only touchdown in two years came through the air,

As previously mentioned, LSU’s running back room is loaded with talent. It’s as if there are five or six different cooks all trying to cook in one kitchen. Bradford is going to compete for carries with [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag], [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag] and [autotag]Trey Holly[/autotag].

Tre Bradford’s Photo Gallery