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On Thursday, the Freshman All-SEC team was announced, LSU defensive end Maason Smith and wider receiver Malik Nabers were both named to the team. The league coaches vote on the Freshman All-SEC team.
Malik Nabers and Maason Smith have been named to the @SEC All-Freshman Team! pic.twitter.com/JemcqZenBQ
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 9, 2021
A five-star recruit coming out of Terrebonne High School, Smith made a significant impact at LSU in his freshman season. Smith started the season as a defensive tackle and then was moved to defensive end. Smith finished the season with 19 tackles, five tackles for a loss, and four sacks. Three of those four sacks came in a game against McNeese State. Smith was having a great season before he got injured and missed the season’s final four games.
Nabers, a four-star recruit, played his high school ball at Southside; he started six out of the ten games he played. Nabers caught four passes for 143 yards and a touchdown against ULM; he had six receptions, his career-best so far in his young career the following week. The Freshman receiver finished the season with 26 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns.
New Head coach Brian Kelly will have some young talent to work with Smith and Nabers on the roster. With two young players like that, LSU’s future could be bright. It’s up to Smith and Nabers to continue to develop so they can be the best players they can be.