Tag: Zavion Thomas

LSU’s receiver group near the top of CBS Sports rankings for 2024

Despite the offseason losses, LSU’s receiving corps remains among the most talented in the nation.

When breaking down LSU’s roster in 2024, it’s hard to fathom receiver not being a bigger need than it actually is.

The Tigers lost two first-round prospects in [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag], who finished second in the nation in receiving yards while setting LSU’s career record, and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], who led the nation in receiving touchdowns. One would think that the need at receiver would be dire, but that isn’t the case.

LSU returns promising veterans poised for a breakout in [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] while adding transfers [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag], a 1,000-yard receiver at Liberty last fall, and [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag]. [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag] are other players who could see a sharp uptick in targets.

CBS Sports didn’t include that group among the top five in the nation in its receiving corps rankings, but it did list the Tigers as an honorable mention.

It’s shaping up to be a year of change on offense for LSU with two new coordinators and a new quarterback in [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag]. But a receiver room that, while lacking experience, remains very talented should help ease the adjustment for Nussmeier.

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LSU receiver Kyren Lacy listed among PFF’s 2024 breakout candidates

Kyren Lacy could see his targets increase significantly this fall.

Receiver will be one of LSU’s biggest questions on offense in 2024 after stars [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] both left for the 2024 NFL draft.

But the wide receiver room is far from bereft of talent, and the Tigers have a pass-catcher waiting in the wings who could be poised to take a massive step forward in 2024, similar to how Thomas did last fall as he led the FBS in receiving touchdowns.

Pro Football Focus identified [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] as one of its 10 breakout candidates in college football in 2024, pointing out that he has been previously overshadowed but could now see WR1 targets.

Lacy was definitely overshadowed by Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. last fall, but that doesn’t mean he’s not an exceptional talent in his own right. This season, he’ll likely enter fall camp as WR1 on LSU’s roster, ready to take on a bigger role in the offense.

Lacy is another deep threat with good speed. He led all LSU receivers in yards per catch (18.6) and yards after the catch per reception (7.1) last season, with Jayden Daniels producing a 150.6 passer rating when throwing Lacy’s way.

If the fifth-year senior can fill the void Nabers and Thomas left, he could be the next great wide receiver to get drafted out of LSU next spring.

In addition to Lacy, LSU returns players like [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and 2023 blue-chip signee [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag] while adding transfer [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag].

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LSU has the talent on offense to remain elite in 2024, Brian Kelly says

The Tigers’ offense lost almost all of its production from 2023 this offseason.

LSU’s offense in 2023 was perhaps the best we’ve seen in program history, aside from the national title-winning group in 2019. But as the Tigers prepare for Year 3 under [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] in 2024, almost all of the talent from that group has moved on.

That includes a Heisman-winning quarterback in [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag]. Now, it’s finally Garrett Nussmeier’s turn to take over after three seasons of waiting as a backup.

Nussmeier has seen some significant game action but has only made one start. Still, Kelly thinks Nussmeier has all the tools to be successful, once he gets a bit more game experience, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Blake Toppmeyer.

“He loves to play football. He just eats this up. He eats it and drinks it and sleeps it. The players love him. He’s committed. He’s got leadership capabilities. More than anything else, you have a guy that loves the big moments. He relishes this opportunity to be here at LSU. He loves LSU. He had a chance to be probably the most sought-after quarterback last year, and he turned that down to stay here.

“So, when you have a guy who loves to be where he’s at, and he’s committed himself, and now you see how he goes out and plays this game with such a passion. That’s exciting for a coach to see a guy that’s all in. In this world of, ‘What’s in it for me?’ he’s in it because he just loves to play the game.”

Nussmeier has a cannon of an arm and has earned a reputation as a bit of a gunslinger, though he doesn’t bring the same dual-threat element as Daniels, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards in 2023, leading the team.

The Tigers will need to get more out of their stable of running backs than they have in the first two seasons under Kelly, but that will be made easier by a loaded offensive line that returns four of five starters headlined by [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag], who could end up being the best offensive tackle in the nation this season.

Perhaps the biggest question on the offensive side of the ball has to do with the receiving corps, however. [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] — the program’s all-time leading receiver — and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], who led the nation in receiving touchdowns in 2023, are both moving on.

The receiver room is far from bare as the Tigers return players who could be poised to break out like Thomas did this past season in [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], as well as [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag]. The Tigers also added a pair of transfer receivers in [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag], and they’ll hope to see continued development from redshirt freshman [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag]

Kelly said that Nabers and Thomas’ production will have to be replaced in the aggregate.

“The sum has to be greater than any one of its parts. You’re not going to replace those guys individually. You have to replace them collectively. So, let’s say the quarterback position, Jayden Daniels and his ability to run, we’re not going to replace that. We’re going to have to lean on our offensive line, our running back and our quarterback and our receivers to do a great job on the perimeter blocking to have a more effective running game. So, it’s a collective approach in that respect.

“We’re going to rely on seven receivers to make up for the loss of two. The sum will have to be greater than any one of the parts, because you’re not going to replace individually three first-round draft picks. Could we have some guys that have individually great performances? Yeah. I think Kyren Lacy is pretty good. I think there’s some guys that are evolving into a bigger role. Chris Hilton looks like he’s got what it takes.”

With questions remaining on the defensive side of the ball under new coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag], LSU will hope the offense continues to produce under new co-coordinators [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] and [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag], who were promoted from within after [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] left for the same role at Notre Dame.

Read the full interview with Brian Kelly from USA TODAY Sports by clicking here.

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Former LSU receiver Khai Prean commits to Tulane

Khai Prean is staying in the state of Louisiana.

Former Tigers wide receiver [autotag]Khai Prean[/autotag] won’t be leaving the state of Louisiana, after all.

On Monday, Prean announced his commitment to Tulane as a transfer. The former four-star receiver entered the transfer portal last Wednesday following one season at LSU in which he redshirted and didn’t make any appearances.

Listed as an athlete coming out of Saint James, Louisiana, in the 2023 class, Prean was a top-500 recruit. However, even with the departures of [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], he remained buried on the receiver depth chart entering 2024.

LSU still has quite a bit of depth at the position between projected starters [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag], depth players [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], as well as young players who could be poised for a breakout like [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Parker[/autotag].

Prean will join a Tulane team coming off another double-digit win season, but the 2024 campaign will be the first under new coach Jon Sumrall after Willie Fritz left to take the Houston job.

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LSU redshirt freshman receiver enters transfer portal

Khai Prean is moving on after a redshirt season in 2023 in which he didn’t appear in any games.

LSU has seen its second transfer portal departure in the spring window as redshirt freshman receiver [autotag]Khai Prean[/autotag] opted to enter the portal on Wednesday.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Prean entered the portal with a no-contact tag. That would seemingly indicate that he already knows where he’s going, or at least has a shortlist.

Prean joins [autotag]Jaxon Howard[/autotag] as LSU’s spring transfer portal entrants so far, but Howard signaled his intention to transfer prior to the window opening on Tuesday.

A four-star recruit and top-20 recruit nationally, the Belle Rose, Louisiana, native didn’t appear in any games as a true freshman and ultimately took a redshirt year.

With Prean now out of the mix, LSU will turn to players like [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], last year’s transfer addition [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and fellow 2023 recruit Shelton Sampson Jr. for depth behind the new starting receiving corps, which seems to be comprised of [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], Mississippi State transfer [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] as we complete spring ball.

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What is LSU’s biggest need entering the spring transfer portal window?

The Tigers could still use some help on defense entering the second transfer portal window.

With many college football programs completing spring practice over the weekend, the spring transfer portal window is set to open on Tuesday.

SEC teams are a bit limited in who they can target during this window as spring transfers are not permitted to move within the conference. Still, LSU approaches the second window with some clear needs.

It addressed several positions of need in the first window, most notably receiver with the additions of [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag]. It also has added a few defensive players like defensive lineman [autotag]Gio Paez[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag].

Still, after an abysmal performance last season, the defense likely still needs to add some players.

On3’s Jesse Simonton assessed the biggest remaining portal need for every championship contender, and for LSU, it’s simply any help on the defensive side of the ball.

Brian Kelly is already on record that the Tigers will add defensive tackle depth when the portal opens — and that’s a must with the departure of the team’s top four interior tackles last season in Maason Smith, Mekhi Wingo, Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee.

But LSU’s head coach should not stop there. If the spring game was any indication (busted coverages are becoming a far too common theme with this group the last few years), Blake Baker’s unit still needs a whole lot of help in the secondary, too.

In fact, if any impact transfer defensive player — be it a pass rusher or linebacker as well, — wants to come play for the Bayou Bengals, then LSU should not turn them down. Kelly whiffed on some portal additions in the secondary last season, but he must take some swings again this spring if the Tigers hope to truly contend for a 12-team playoff spot this fall.

The Tigers face depth issues at a number of positions, particularly along the defensive line and in the secondary. However, it’s worth noting that Simonton is incorrect about the fact that Guillory and Lee have departed. Both are on the roster, though they represent the only returning depth on the interior of the defensive line.

Still, the overall assessment of the defensive roster situation is correct, and LSU will almost certainly address it. Kelly has said the Tigers are primarily looking to add defensive tackles, but perhaps they should examine other defensive transfers, as Simonton suggests.

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Can Kyren Lacy replace Malik Nabers as LSU’s WR1 in 2024?

Kyren Lacy only has 54 catches in two years, but he’s had some real bright spots when he’s been highlighted in the offense.

As the calendar turns to 2024 and we prepare for Year 3 of the [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] era in Baton Rouge, the program faces a lot of questions.

The 2023 team was an overall disappointment as an awful defense held back arguably the best offense in the entire nation. Most of the stars from that group are gone, including Heisman-winning quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and his top two receivers, [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag]

Nabers will be especially tough to replace. The nation’s No. 2 receiver and runner-up for the Biletnikoff Award, he’s seen as a likely top-10 (if not top-five) pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

LSU may have his replacement in-house, though. Fifth-year senior [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] is returning, and though he only has 54 catches in two seasons in Baton Rouge, he’s had some standout performances.

He exceeded 100 yards in two games this season and had six catches for 96 yards in the ReliaQuest Bowl win. He finished the year with 558 yards and seven touchdowns on 30 catches, and CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson identified him as Nabers’ replacement.

Both Nabers and Brian Thomas are leaving massive holes in the production from LSU’s pass catchers, but Lacy has already expressed his expectation to be one of the team’s leaders at that position in 2024. A fifth-year player who will be utilizing his COVID eligibility in the fall, Lacy arrived at LSU prior to 2022 after two seasons at Louisiana. He took a major jump this year with improvements in receptions (30), yards receiving (558) and touchdowns (7), and finished as the team’s third-leading receiver on the season behind Nabers and Thomas.

There is still a lot of talent among the underclassmen wide receivers in Baton Rouge but it’s mostly unproven, making Lacy a key piece for LSU’s offense. Want a good sign for the future of LSU’s offense as it undergoes the turnover of a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, two first-round wide receivers and an offensive coordinator? Seeing Lacy connect with presumed starter Garrett Nussmeier for a season-high six catches for 95 yards in the bowl win against Wisconsin.

LSU will turn to Lacy and other returning players like [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag], as well as Liberty transfer [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and Mississippi State transfer [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag].

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Report: LSU lands Liberty receiver transfer CJ Daniels

CJ Daniels, who had a 1,000-yard season with the Flames in 2023, is expected to commit to LSU according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

After what seems to have been a successful visit to Baton Rouge, LSU is expected to land Liberty receiver transfer [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag]. The news was first reported by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.

A native of Lilburn, Georgia, Daniels is coming off a 1,000-yard campaign in 2023 after injuries shortened his 2022 season. He’s one of the top receivers available in the portal, and he’ll provide a major boost to a room that’s set to lose both [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] to the NFL draft.

Daniels had 55 catches for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, and in four years in Lynchburg, he has 106 catches for 1,954 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns.

If Daniels ultimately commits, the Tigers will have landed two receivers so far in the portal after Mississippi State’s [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag] committed earlier in the cycle.

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Report: LSU to host star Liberty receiver transfer this weekend

CJ Daniels was a 1,000-yard receiver for Liberty in 2023.

While coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and LSU have made it clear that they don’t intend to be as active in the transfer portal this offseason as they have the last two years, the Tigers have still landed a few impact players and could be in the market for more.

According to a report from 247Sports’ Bryce Koon, LSU is playing host to Liberty receiver transfer [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] this weekend. A junior who hails from one of LSU’s primary out-of-state recruiting grounds of Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia, Daniels is coming off a 1,000-yard season that saw him catch 10 touchdown passes.

He was limited by injuries in 2022 and played in just four games, but in his last full season in 2021, he ranked second among Flames wideouts with 629 yards as a redshirt freshman.

With LSU set to lose both [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], some help at receiver would certainly be welcome. The team has also already landed a receiver transfer with SEC experience in Mississippi State’s [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag].

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LSU officially announces three transfers additions

LSU officially announced the addition of three transfers to the team for the 2024 season on Friday.

LSU Football just officially announced the addition of three transfers to the team for the 2024 season. The Tigers announced the addition of [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag], a safety from Texas A&M, [autotag]AJ Swann[/autotag], a quarterback from Vanderbilt and [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag], a wide receiver from Mississippi State.

Gilbert played in 25 games over three years for the Aggies as he made 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and two interceptions. Gilbert is from White Castle, Louisiana, so he is returning to the boot to play his final year of college football.

Swann played in 15 games for the Vanderbilt Commodores and threw for 2,731 yards. 22 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Swann will bring a lot of experience to a talented quarterback room. He will join [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] and [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag] in pursuit of the starting quarterback job.

Thomas is another Louisiana man who had left the state to play at another SEC school but he is now returning home. In 22 games, Thomas caught 42 passes for 507 yards and one touchdown. He made plays on special teams as well as he returned 10 kickoffs for 297 yards and a touchdown and 29 punts for 365 yards and a touchdown.

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