OK to talk about the 2020 season now....

[LSUDad]

LSU Football OC Steve Ensminger "Concerned" About Offensive Line, Thinks Multiple Players Will Break Out in 2020

Harrison Valentine

20 hours ago

Tiger Athletic Foundation’s popular touring event known as the ‘Coaches Caravan’ went virtual on Wednesday due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, hosted by former LSU running back Jacob Hester.

Featured guests included National Coach of the Year Ed Orgeron, Director of Athletics Scott Woodward, senior associate AD for health and wellness Shelly Mullenix, offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, and newly minted running backs coach Kevin Faulk. 

Woodward began the conference with an update on how operations are being handled with student-athletes at home, his reaction to how LSU has handled the pandemic, and when he expects a return to campus. 

“We were the first ones to get our staff back in football,” he said confidently. “We had a great plan with strict guidelines. It’s paramount that we’re safe.” 

LSU intends for student-athletes to return to campus starting June 1, Woodward said, even though all variables are currently on the table. Whether fans will be in attendance for sporting events in the fall remains unclear at this time. 

After choreographing one of the greatest offensive seasons in the modern era of college football, Steve Ensminger doesn’t foresee a lot changing schematically, especially with new quarterback Myles Brennan under center. 

In fact, Ensminger told everyone to jump on the Brennan bandwagon while you still can. 

“I think Myles is going to have a great season,” Ensminger said. “Spending two years behind Joe Burrow did nothing but help him. I’m very confident Myles is ready to lead this football team. Get on the bandwagon and let’s go.”

In a limited role behind Burrow, Brennan totaled 353 yards passing with one touchdown in 2019. But after three years of patience and commitment, his time as LSU’s signal caller has arrived. Coach Ed Orgeron even mentioned that Brennan is up to a “whopping” 218 pounds, which is about 40 pounds heavier than when he arrived on campus. 

With four starters leaving for the NFL, Ensminger admitted he’s “concerned” about the status of his offensive line. LSU signed Harvard grad transfer Liam Shanahan on April 28 as a graduate transfer as a member of the 2020 recruiting class, adding much-needed depth to the unit.

“We need to find a right guard, and I think we have enough talent,” Ensminger said. “We have enough numbers and three freshman coming in that are very athletic. But we need to stay healthy.”

One player who Ensminger believes is set to break out is senior wideout Racey McMath, who caught 17 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns in 2019.

First-year running backs coach Kevin Faulk answered some questions as well about the future of the position with the departure of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. With Chris Curry, Ty Davis-Price and John Emery all returning to school, Faulk expects a ‘by committee’ approach for the Tigers.

“You’ll probably see a rotation early unless a guy breaks out in fall camp,” Faulk said. “When we get here, it’s going to show very quickly.”

With Faulk earning a promotion to full-time running backs coach in February, LSU hired former players Kelvin Sheppard (2007-10) and Eddie Kennison (1993-95) to fill his previous role as Director of Player Development. Faulk was pleased with what he’s seen from both of them so far.

"It's been magnificent,” Faulk said of Sheppard and Kennison. “When you get two former players -- two really good players and good people -- it's an awesome feeling. They really want to know more about what they're doing."

[houtiger]

It looks like O wants to turn the LSU staff into an all-LSU deal, where it is possible to do that.  I think it is pretty cool.

[LSUDad]

3 hours ago, houtiger said:

It looks like O wants to turn the LSU staff into an all-LSU deal, where it is possible to do that.  I think it is pretty cool.

All-Louisiana? Well Faulk from Carenco, Boo Kennison from Lake Charles. Sheppard is from the Stone Mountain, Ga area, the outsider. 
But yes, I like where O is headed with his staff. A mixture of former Pro Coaches, added in. 

[LSUDad]

PGC Scott Linehan talks...

 

https://1045espn.com/?powerpress_pinw=37256-podcast

[LSUDad]

 

[LSUDad]

Freshman Spotlight: Arik Gilbert, LSU 

 May 21, 2020  CFB Saturdays Staff  0 Comments

As we get ready for the 2020 season at CFB Saturdays we will be spotlighting some of the key freshman we expect to play a big role for their teams this season. We are looking at highly talented players who have an opportunity to play and make an impact this fall. Today the spotlight finds TE Arik Gilbert of LSU who has some big shoes to fill in Death Valley.

Background

Arik Gilbert is the #5 ranked player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. Gilbert was a star at Marietta High School in Georgia where he had over 1,700 receiving yards and 14 TDs. He was heavily recruited but chose to sign with the LSU Tigers and enrolled early to get a head start on his college football career. Because of CO-Vid 19 spring practice was put on hold after just the third practice but Gilbert still got a chance to get accustomed to college life and get started learning the playbook. This fall the freshman will be counted on to make plays on Saturdays.

Scouting Report

Gilbert jumps off the tape with his size and athleticism. He is a legitimate 6’5″ 253 lbs and has excellent feet for a guy that big. He has good speed and leaping ability making him a mismatch for anyone on the field. Gilbert can run by LBs and even some DBs, and is a size mismatch for anyone in the secondary. He can line up out wide, where at times if the defender isn’t in the shot, you might think he’s a split end running a route. Gilbert uses his body very well making him excellent in contested catch situations, he shields the ball well on lower throws and put his leaping ability to use on jump balls. Gilbert is often open even when he is not because of his ability to win the ball.

Like many great athletes in high school most of the film available is with the ball being thrown to Gilbert. Teams focus on getting their play-makers the ball and they are not asked to block as much at the high school level. Gilbert will likely need to work on blocking at the collegiate level, but should be able to become a good blocker. He is a lean 253 lbs and has room to put on more good weight and continue to add strength. Gilbert could have starred on the defensive side of the ball as well so he has the right mentality to be a physical player in the run game. Gilbert has the tools to be a top TE and leave school in three years to play in the NFL.

Outlook

Ed Orgeron led the Tigers to a national championship in 2019 but a lot of the players from that team has moved on to the NFL. At the TE position in particular, LSU lost both Thaddeus Moss (570 receiving yards) and Stephen Sullivan (130 receiving yards). This created an opening at TE, the need is for someone who can be a threat in the passing game because the Tigers also lost QB Joe Burrow, WR Justin Jefferson and RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Luckily Ja’Marr Chase (#1 WR) and Terrance Marshall Jr (#13 WR) do return but the Tigers new QB in 2020 will need help easing into the starting job. Gilbert would fit in perfectly as a big play threat down the seam or a safety valve in the middle of the field, giving his QB a big target.

Arik Gilbert will have every opportunity to see the field early and often. There are no experienced players at TE on the roster who have been used in the passing game. Gilbert has a unique skill set and will be an asset in the passing game instantly. He can do things few players in the country can do on the football field. If he can show that he is a good blocker he may not leave the field much at all, but at the very least Gilbert will be used as a receiving TE. Gilbert will also be a mismatch for defenses in the redzone, where his size and athleticism will be a tremendous asset. Gilbert will be able to get on the field right away and should catch a lot of balls in the LSUoffense. He has the chance to be an all conference type of player as a true freshman in 2020.

[houtiger]

There is a video interview with Finley in here that is very good.  He sounds like a mature freshman, he certainly has the size to play QB in college, 6' 6", 250.  He enrolled for the spring, got to see Burrow in the QB room a little, paid attention to how he talked, what he knew.  Said he understands he has to sit behind Brennan and wait his turn like Myles did, but he has to also be ready to lead the team to a natty if called on.  I'm impressed, I like the guy.  He's working on his craft while not in an organized LSU practice.

https://www.brproud.com/sports/geaux-nation/tj-finley-hungry-for-his-opportunity-at-lsu/

[LSUDad]

O talks on the upcoming season. 
 

https://tigerbait.com/s/2148/watch-ed-orgeron-on-fox-news-everybody-is-ready-for-some-football

[LSUDad]

Ed Orgeron hypes up LSU's defensive line: 'That's why we are going back to the 4-3'

Michael Wayne Bratton | 1 hour ago

 

Long before leading LSU to the national championship, Ed Orgeron was known in college football circles as an elite defensive line coach and recruiter.

Based on his comments this offseason, LSU’s head coach is very eager to shift back to a defensive philosophy that emphasizes the position he knows the best on the field and continues to work very closely with to this day.

Following Dave Aranda’s departure to take over Baylor’s football program, Orgeron hired Bo Pelini, a former LSU coordinator and head coach of Nebraska and Youngstown State, to run the defense in Baton Rouge. A big reason why Pelini was the coach Orgeron wanted to hire was the decision to shift LSU’s defense back to the 4-3.

During a recent appearance on ESPN radio show “Off The Bench,” Orgeron shared that his desire to shift to the 4-3 defense had to do with the linemen on his roster down in Baton Rouge.

“That’s why we are going back to the 4-3,” Orgeron said on the show. “We felt we have talent, we have the guys we think that could play in the 4-3, [very] disruptive. I think this group is going to be a great group and it’s already helped us in recruiting.

“We have four commitments already, we may sign six defensive linemen, maybe seven. We’ll sign as many great players as we can. Guys want to come, they want to play, things are going well.”

For all the explosive offenses in the SEC today, Orgeron understands that the league remains a line of scrimmage game and if defensive linemen are a strength of the roster, shifting back to the 4-3 defense could prove to be the latest in a line of masterful adjustments that keep LSU in the hunt for the SEC West championship in 2020.

[Hatchertiger]

20 hours ago, LSUDad said:

Freshman Spotlight: Arik Gilbert, LSU 

 May 21, 2020  CFB Saturdays Staff  0 Comments

As we get ready for the 2020 season at CFB Saturdays we will be spotlighting some of the key freshman we expect to play a big role for their teams this season. We are looking at highly talented players who have an opportunity to play and make an impact this fall. Today the spotlight finds TE Arik Gilbert of LSU who has some big shoes to fill in Death Valley.

 

 

[LSUDad]

6 hours ago, Hatchertiger said:

 

 

I posted this in the other thread about the PGC hire:

 

While at Dallas,  Garrett knew his days were numbered, guess he could have fired himself. A coach will cut lose a coordinator, look what happened at UTx this season. 
 

You look at the QB and WR combinations Scott has coached. The best one, he was hired with the Lions, he gets there in 2009, by 2010 Calvin “Megatron” Johnson made 6 consecutive Pro Bowls, led the NFL pass reception yards.  

[LSUDad]

Scott had Stafford with 727 passing attempts in a season, you know what other NFL QB had 700 or more attempts in a season? None. 
Stafford is it, not Brady or Brees. 
 

Too add, Stafford played high school ball at Highland Park in Dallas. During that time, a few friends of mine were on the staff at SMU. The head coach at SMU, former LSU DC Phil Bennett. Phil’s son Sam attended Highland Park, he was the center for Stafford. Sam is one of those guys like Joe Brady. He was a GA here in Houston at Rice with some friends of mine. Sam was at Zona St with Herm Edwards. Then last season, he was on the staff with Kingsbury in the NFL on the staff of the Zona Cardinals. Now Sam is on the staff at U of Hawaii. More on Sam. 
 

https://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2020/1/28/football-sam-bennett-hired-as-offensive-assistant.aspx
 

 

As for Phil Bennett, he’s retired, got a nice house and some land just minutes from Kyle Field, where he played and coached. 
My granddaughter wanted to make a aTm game this year, so we met up with some friends at Phil’s house. He had us a parking pass, across the street from the stadium. Then we had two tickets at will-call. 
 

Took my granddaughter and her friend to the last season game at Lamar in Beaumont. Coach O’s son was  playing for McNeese. 
 

I miss football. 

Edited May 28, 2020 by LSUDad

[LSUDad]

DLine’s: 

 

Top to bottom: Ranking the 2020 Southeastern Conference defensive lines

 

By Olin Buchanan

May 27, 2020

 

---

Strong defensive line play is as synonymous with Southeastern Conference football as boisterous crowds and live mascots.

Almost everybody has one. Just last year, nine SEC teams ranked among the nation’s top 60 (more than half) in rushing defense. Eight were ranked that high in sacks. Those figures don’t happen without strong defensive lines.

There have been 30 SEC defensive linemen selected within the first three rounds of the last five NFL drafts. A dozen of those were first-round picks.

Defensive line production and destruction figures to continue in 2020.

Here’s a prospective ranking of the SEC’s defensive lines for the upcoming season:

1. Alabama: Expect the Tide to be better than a year ago. Alabama figures to be more talented and deeper. Nose guard DJ Dale and defensive end Justin Eboigbe are returning starters, but sophomore defensive tackle Christian Barmore may be the best up front. He expects to have a break out year. Incoming five-star ends Will Anderson Jr. and Chris Braswell may improve the pass rush immediately.

2. LSU: Ed Orgeron has recruited so well that the Tigers are three-deep on the line. And that’s at four positions with new/old Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini taking LSU back to the 4-3. Nose tackle Tyler Shelvin and end Glen Logan are returning starters. The Tigers will need others to step up, and they probably will.

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

Kirby Smart’s defensive line must again be strong in 2020 if the Dawgs are to win a fourth-consecutive SEC East division title.

3. Georgia: The SEC East Division winners were only average in rushing the passer in 2019. That may change if sophomore defensive end Nolan Smith — the nation’s top-rated recruit in 2019 — takes the next step in his progression from freshman contributor to dominant edge rusher. A slew of highly-regarded prospects, including incoming five-star tackle Jalen Carter, can fill in immediately. End Malik Herring is the lone returning starter.

4. Texas A&M: Uber athletic sophomore DeMarvin Leal could be a dominant tackle. Except that A&M is so stocked inside — with Bobby Brown, Jayden Peevy and prize recruit McKinnley Jackson — that Leal could move to end. A&M needs veterans Tyree Johnson or Micheal Clemons or touted newcomers Donell Harris and Fadil Diggs to emerge as a reliable pass rusher opposite Leal.

5. Florida: Nose guard Kyree Campbell is the only returning starter from one of the country’s top defensive lines a year ago. A bunch of uncertainties must come through for the GayTurds to continue to play at that level. Georgia transfer Brenton Cox must be as good as advertised as an edge rusher. Jeremiah Moon must overcome health issues, and freshman tackle Gervon Dexter must live up to his considerable hype.

6. Auburn: The Tigers won’t be as good up front without Derrick Brown, a first-round draft choice, and Marlon Davidson, a second-round pick. They won’t be bad, though. Highly-regarded tackle Tyrone Truesdell and buck Big Kat Bryant return. Junior college transfers Marquis Burks and Dre Butler could be starters.

7. Tennessee: Depth is the Volunteers’ most significant asset in the defensive front. Six defensive linemen posted between 45 and 19 tackles in 2019, and all remain on the roster. Tackle LaTrell Bumphus —a converted tight end — and end Matthew Butler were particularly active. A trio of incoming four-star prospects will further enhance the Vols’ depth.

8. Kentucky: Nose guard Quinton Bohanna, a 367-pound senior, can clog up inside running lanes. However, the Wildcats will miss tackle Calvin Taylor, who was second in the SEC with 8.5 sacks in 2019. End Josh Paschal posted 3.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore in 2019. Four-star recruit Samuel Anaele figures to challenge for a starting role.

Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Jones figures to be one of Mississippi State’s starters on the edge.

9. Mississippi State: Though leading pass rusher Chauncey Rivers is gone, Marquiss Spencer and Kobe Jones form a solid set of ends. Sophomore nose guard Fabien Lovett started as a true freshman. Junior college transfer Jordan Davis figures to make an impact.

10. Missouri: All-SEC tackle Jordan Elliott opting for early entry into the NFL draft (he was a third-round pick) certainly leaves a hole, but Kobie Whiteside posted 6.5 sacks from the other tackle slot. Whether he can be as productive without Elliott drawing multiple blockers remains to be seen. Three ends with starting experience are on hand, but none had more than 24 tackles or two sacks.

11. South Carolina: The loss of first-round draft choice Javon Kinlaw at tackle will be hard to overcome, as will the loss to buck D.J. Wonnum. Returning starter Aaron Sterling posted six sacks and ten tackles for loss in 2019. Look out for five-star freshman defensive tackle Jordan Burch.

12. Ole Piss: The Rebels must replace their entire starting line up in the front three. That includes Benito Jones, who was an all-conference nose guard. Tariqious Tisdale was a productive backup at end. Incoming freshman Demon Clowney (cousin of former South Carolina All-American Jadeveon Clowney) figures to play right away.

13. Vanderbilt: The Commodores managed just 11 sacks in eight conference games in 2019. Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo had a dozen tackles for loss. Tackles Cameron Tidd and Drew Birchmeier are also returning starters. They must be more productive. Depth is an issue, which is typically the case in Nashville.

14. Arkansas: Sacks were scarce, and rushing yards were easily surrendered in Fayetteville last year. It’s hard to believe that will change with three starters departed, including McTelvin Agim, a third-round NFL draft pick. The only returning starter is defensive end Mataio Soli. He managed 19 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss last year. Clemson transfer Xavier Kelly, once a four-star recruit, provides a measure of hope for the Hogs.

[LSUDad]

True freshman could be an offensive monster for LSU football in 2020

 

 

by Zach Ragan1 day agoFollow @zachTNT

LSU Football head coach Ed Orgeron (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

True freshman tight end Arik Gilbert could be a game changer for LSU football in 2020.

LSU football could have one of the nation’s most dangerous offensive weapons in 2020.

And it’s a player that’s never played a down of college football.

True freshman tight end Arik Gilbert signed with the Tigers last December after being rated as the No. 1 tight end in the nation and the No. 5 overall 2021 recruit.

Gilbert, 6-foot-5/253 lbs from Marietta, GA, is an athletic freak who has an unbelievable size/speed combination that could make him one of the most difficult mismatches in college football.

The Georgia native is described by 247Sports director of scouting Barton Simmons as “highly competitive”. Simmons also noted that Gilbert has the “offensive skill-set to become one of the most unique tight end prospects in years”.

How will LSU use Gilbert?

This is where things will get fun for LSU.

We already know that Gilbert is a gifted athlete with rare talents.

Buy Now!

But how will the the Tigers put those talents to use?

Gilbert won’t be used exclusively as a traditional tight end. He’ll be moved around a lot.

In fact, Ed Orgeron said on Wednesday that Gilbert will be used a lot like the Detroit Lions used future hall of fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

New LSU passing game coordinator Scott Linehan was Johnson’s offensive coordinator from 2009-2013.

 

2010-2013 was the best four year stretch of Johnson’s career (in 2012, Johnson had 122 receptions for 1,964 yards), so it’s clear that Linehan knows how to use big, elite receivers.

On top of the Linehan influence, Gilbert will have Myles Brennan, who has a Matthew Stafford like arm, throwing him the ball in Baton Rouge.

While I don’t think it would be wise to expect Megatron like numbers from Gilbert in 2020, I think we could see the former five-star recruit have one of the best seasons ever for a collegiate tight end.

LSU is going to do a lot of things with Gilbert that we didn’t see the Tigers offense do in 2019.

Coach O and his staff — especially offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger — have made it a point to mold their offense to their players’ strengths.

And it’s clear that’s what they’ll be doing with Gilbert in 2020.

[houtiger]

Tyler Shelvin anchored the d-line last year playing nose tackle and always facing a double team, zero sacks.  Going to the 4-3 scheme, Tyler will line up in a gap to the side of the center.  Shelvin may not play any better, but it may appear he is playing better because of the change of the scheme.  I saw an early first round draft mock had JaMarr Chase at #2 player taken, and Tyler at #22.  Whachathink?  Anybody hear about his weight?  I hope he has a good junior year.

Edited May 29, 2020 by houtiger

[LSUDad]

1 hour ago, houtiger said:

Tyler Shelvin anchored the d-line last year playing nose tackle and always facing a double team, zero sacks.  Going to the 4-3 scheme, Tyler will line up in a gap to the side of the center.  Shelvin may not play any better, but it may appear he is playing better because of the change of the scheme.  I saw an early first round draft mock had JaMarr Chase at #2 player taken, and Tyler at #22.  Whachathink?  Anybody hear about his weight?  I hope he has a good junior year.

Chase, Marshall, the LB Transfer and Tyler, all have a good shot into the first round. But still way too early. Need to play a few games, then we will see who is starting to stand out. 

[houtiger]

I posted a link to a video of Kayshon Boutte (WR) working out, they had him in a LARGE sandbox, running cone drills.  Damn, I was impressed.  Kid works HARD.  He was sweating like crazy, panting.  When he finished he said "expletive, that was hard!".  His ability to accelerate, decelerate, cut around the cone, was all exceptional IMO.  His work ethic is there.  Not a big kid, he won't push Terrace Marshall out of his role.  But, he's quick as a cat.  I didn't see his hands.  I wonder if he can get some playing time this year?

[LSUDad]

17 minutes ago, houtiger said:

I posted a link to a video of Kayshon Boutte (WR) working out, they had him in a LARGE sandbox, running cone drills.  Damn, I was impressed.  Kid works HARD.  He was sweating like crazy, panting.  When he finished he said "expletive, that was hard!".  His ability to accelerate, decelerate, cut around the cone, was all exceptional IMO.  His work ethic is there.  Not a big kid, he won't push Terrace Marshall out of his role.  But, he's quick as a cat.  I didn't see his hands.  I wonder if he can get some playing time this year?

I would say so, we will again lose in numbers after this season. Look at the number of players that had receptions this year, 19. We played a number. What O and the staff did this year, playing so many, resting many during the season, basically playing for the 15 game season. A smart move on their part. 

[houtiger]

first half is saints, then discussion of LSU.

 

[LSUDad]

Ed Orgeron goes in-depth on position battles in the secondary

• by Billy Embody
• 2 hours ago

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron believes the deepest position on his football team is the secondary. "DBU" once again has plenty of options for starters and versatile pieces that can move around in new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini's scheme.

When speaking with Off The Bench with Culotta and T-Bob Tuesday morning, Orgeron went in-depth on the position battles at cornerback opposite of All-American Derek Stingley, Jr. and at the safety position.

"You talk about Derek Stingley, who I think can be one of the best players in the country obviously, had a great year," Orgeron said on 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge. "Then you look at the other side, we have Cordale Flott, who I think did a tremendous job for us, you have Elias Ricks, who came on strong at the end of spring. They only had three days, but he looked very good with a limited workout because of his shoulder. 

"You have Jay Ward, we got Dwight McGlothern, who we're excited about, Raydarious Jones. Corey Raymond has done a tremendous job recruiting a fine group there."

In 14 games, Flott notched 15 tackles and four pass breakups while Ricks, who enrolled in January, is a five-star prospect and the nation's No. 2 cornerback in the 2020 class. Flott could also slide to nickel, paving the way for Ricks to start as a true freshman like Stingley did in 2019.

"Him and Ricks are going to be battling that position and Raydarious Jones. We didn't have enough in spring ball. We've got Cordale listed as a starter right now, but Elias Ricks is going to come on strong," Orgeron riffed. "As you know, Jay Ward is in there too. We're always going to play three corners, we're going to rotate three corners. I could see Cordale maybe going to the nickel and Elias, as you know we go nickel 75 percent of the time, I can see Elias starting at corner."

Orgeron expressed excitement about the safety group as well, highlighted by Jacoby Stevens, who opted to return for his senior season with a shot to become a first round NFL Draft pick. His versatility and athleticism was critical for the team's defense in 2019 and after 92 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions and nine pass breakups, he's ready for a curtain call.

"Obviously, Jacoby Stevens, there's so many things that we can do with him. I'm so happy that he's back," Orgeron said. "I think pound-for-pound, Jacoby Stevens is our strongest player. He's a great rusher, he's strong in the weight room, he can do a lot of things. I know Bo is excited about him. We've been looking for a big safety and Jacoby is 6-1, 230. Bo talked to me, we looked at our safety board. He said, 'Hey, get LaRon Landry.' I said, 'I'm looking for him, I promise you.'"

Todd Harris, who had his 2019 season cut short to a knee injury, is also back in the fold. Kary Vincent, Jr., a track standout for LSU as well as at nickel, and Maurice Hampton, a two-sport athlete who also competes on the baseball diamond, are set to compete with a slew of other safeties.

"Having Todd Harris back there is going to help. He's going to come in, be a leader for us," Orgeron explained. "Jordan Toles, mid-year graduate, has done phenomenal. Jordan's already 6-1, 206. Obviously, Kary Vincent can play the nickel position, he can play safety, one of the fastest players in the country. Mo Hampton, who started some games for us last year. Looks to be in great shape. Got Cam Lewis and Eric Monroe, so yea, we're deep."

The secondary is one of the prime examples of Orgeron's emphasis on development within the program. Competing against the Biletnikoff Award winner in Ja'Marr Chase, a first round draft pick in Justin Jefferson, and a first round talent in Terrace Marshall all season are going to allow for different players to emerge. 

"You go 1-on-1 against Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall, you're going to get better or get going," Orgeron said. "That's just the way it is. Iron sharpens iron. We call it the Ponderosa. I think going against those guys every day made them better and when they started winning against those guys, we said, 'Hey, they're ready to play against our opponents because are not much better, if at all. We're going to be better than most of them that we play.'"

As players hit campus for summer workouts, competition is set to pick up again. That's what LSU's program is built on.

For Orgeron's full interview with Off The Bench, click here.

[houtiger]

Sounds like they do have quite a bit of depth in the secondary, and it seems like quality depth.  Lot of those guys are 4* or higher.

[LSUDad]

LSU Football: Tigers will have the best WR trio in the nation in 2020

 

 

by Zach Ragan18 hours agoFollow @zachTNT

 

LSU football WR Terrace Marshall Jr(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

LSU football is set to have the best wide receiver trio in the nation in 2020.

LSU football lost one of the best wide receivers in the nation in Justin Jefferson to the NFL, but the Tigers will still have the best wide receiver trio in college football in 2020.

Everyone knows about Ja’Marr Chase, the rising junior wide receiver who caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019.

Chase was the best wide receiver in the country in 2019. And he’ll be even better in 2020.

Then there’s Terrace Marshall Jr, the speedy former five-star wide receiver, who had a very good sophomore season, catching 46 passes for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns. Not bad for the No. 3 wide receiver on the team (Marshall’s 13 receiving touchdowns would’ve led every other team in the SEC except for Alabama).

 

Chase and Marshall will be the Tigers’ top two wide receivers in 2020.

But it’s LSU’s expected No. 3 wide receiver that will take this trio’s production to the next level.

LSU football’s next breakout star

Racey McMath isn’t a former five-star wide receiver. He didn’t arrive in Baton Rouge with the same fanfare as Chase, Marshall, and other elite recruits.

The Louisiana native, who will be a senior in 2020, signed with the Tigers as a three-star wide receiver in 2017.

McMath’s production in 2019 was modest at best. He caught 17 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns.

But don’t let those numbers fool you. McMath is talented. He’s fast. And everyone associated with LSU is expecting him to have a big season in 2020.

Tigers offensive coordinator Steve Ensmingersaid earlier this offseason that he expects McMath to have a breakout season as a senior.

 

Chase’s father, Jimmy Chase, told WAFB’s Jacques Doucet this week that McMath is faster than Chase and Marshall. And he thinks the trio could be better than LSU’s starting trio in 2019.

McMath has the size/speed combination (he’s 6’3″) to be a dominant wide receiver in the SEC. If he takes a major step forward in 2020, then it’s going to be a long season for defensive backs in the SEC West.

The fact that LSU could lose one of the most productive wide receivers in the nation and somehow get better is insane.

This is just a testament to the incredible recruiting that LSU has done under Coach 

By the way, those aren’t the only talented wide receivers on the Tigers’ roster. LSU also has some stud newcomers on the way in five-star signee Kayshon Boutte and four-star signee Koy Moore. Along with former four-star wide receivers Devonta Lee and Trey Palmer.

It’s hard to see too much of a drop-off for the Tigers in 2020, despite the incredible talent the program lost to the NFL earlier this off-season.

 

 

https://deathvalleyvoice.com/2020/06/04/lsu-football-tigers-will-best-wr-trio-nation-2020/

 

 

[houtiger]

What strikes you as different for our program today vs. when O took over?  Obviously the offense, took a couple of years, but we got there.

DEPTH.  We used to get 1 or 2 5* players a year, about 12 4*, and about 10 3* (not scientific).  Now we get 3 or 4 5*, about 18 4*, and 3 or 4 3*.  The recruiting has been upgraded.  We used to have to wait for the 3* players to develop into starters.  Now we wait for the 4* players to develop into star players and NFL draft picks.

What is means to me is that in the past if we suffered a critical injury, we could lose a game based on his replacement getting beat.  Now we have better quality depth and we have a player that can step in an keep us in the game.

It's sort of a subtle improvement, but Mo Hampton played some very good safety for us last year when Delpit went out to rest his ankle for the championship run.  There were some numbers running around that I didn't recognize, but they played well.  Flott played a good bit, and Ward, and they looked good.

O said the first thing he wanted to do was build up the depth on both lines, and he has done that.

On a completely different note, I bet Bo Pelini is very happy to have 6' 1", 230 lb. safety Jacoby Stevens back for his Sr. year.  Size, speed, and experience, a great combination for Bo to work with.  I heard O say pound for pound, Stevens is one of the strongest players on the team, he is very good in the weight room.  I remember Nootch called his name out a lot last season.

[LSUDad]

 

SEC football schedules ranked easiest to toughest by ESPN FPI

ByBRAD CRAWFORD 7 hours ago 

Florida coach Dan Mullen made waves last week after proclaiming he expects his football team to go unbeaten this season, a bold prediction at a program that has won 21 games over his first two years at the helm. The proper reaction around the Southeast should've been — well, what did you expect him to say?

"I'm not guaranteeing it, because I'll be honest with you, I have two national championship rings here at Florida and we didn't go undefeated in either of those two seasons," Mullen told Pat McAfee. "We still won a national championship."

Unlike most years, Florida actually has the schedule that equates to big-time success, and according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), has a great opportunity to get there. With that in mind, we dissected each SEC team’s strength of schedule from easiest to hardest using ESPN's metrics.

ESPN's FPI is "a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team's performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete."

Here's a look at the SEC, school by school, ranked on schedule toughness this season:

 

 

(Photo: Jeff Blake, USA TODAY Sports)

14. Missouri Tigers (54th toughest schedule per ESPN FPI)

13. Florida GayTurds (No. 41)

12. Texas A&M Aggies (No. 35)

The word: There's a reason why dozens of national analysts are joining the Florida offseason hype train. Not only do the GayTurds bring back one of the SEC's top quarterbacks in Kyle Trask, but their schedule is conducive to being in the national title picture. Florida hosts LSU, travels to Jacksonville for its annual game with Georgia and that's it as far as tough matchups go. CBS Sports recently tabbed Dan Mullen as the next coach to win a title who doesn't have one yet and this could be the year it happens.

 

11. Kentucky Wildcats (No. 32)

10. Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 30)

9. Georgia Bulldogs (No. 18)

The word: Kirby Smart's path to a Playoff berth becomes abundantly clear if Georgia can beat Alabama on the road in September. He'll try to become the first former Nick Saban assistant to win head-to-head against college football's active national titles leader. The Bulldogs will try and keep their winning streak going against Florida on Oct. 31, a game most believe will decide the SEC East — as it often does.

8. MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

 

(Photo: Gene Swindoll, Gene's Page, 247Sports)

ESPN FPI: 16th toughest schedule nationally

The word: It could get ugly for Mike Leach during his first season in Starkville if the Bulldogs don't begin the season on a high note early on. The slate is favorable in September with the only road game coming at N.C. State (a program coming off Dave Doeren's worst season). But beginning on Oct. 3 vs. Texas A&M, Mississippi State will play four straight opponents ranked inside the Top 15. That's where the Bulldogs' finish in the SEC West this fall will be decided. At the back end, Leach closes out the season with games against Kentucky, Alabama A&M and Ole Piss.

7. TENNESSEE VOLS

 

(Photo: Brianna Paciorka, Knoxville News Sentinel)

ESPN FPI: 14th toughest schedule nationally

The word: The Vols take on four teams that will likely be ranked inside the Top 10 at the time of matchup this season during Jeremy Pruitt's third campaign in Knoxville. The schedule gets tough early in Week 2 at Oklahoma, the Big 12 frontrunner and doesn't lighten up — two weeks later, the Vols open SEC play vs. Florida, arguably the biggest home game thus far in Pruitt's tenure. There's a chance College GameDay could be situated just outside of Neyland Stadium with the Vol Navy for that one if Tennessee can beat the Sooners early.

6. AUBURN TIGERS

ESPN FPI: 11th toughest schedule nationally

The word: Road games against Alabama and Georgia, two Top 5 teams, dot the schedule for the Tigers this season, in addition to a neutral-site showdown vs. nationally-ranked North Carolina andhome games vs. LSU and Texas A&M. So, how many of those five matchups vs. Top 25 competition will Auburn win? Gus Malzahn is used to this in the SEC West and hopes this year's team finds more consistency on offense with new OC Chad Morris helping out on that side of the football. There's a good chance the Tigers are 5-0 and ranked inside the Top 10 when they head to Athens in October.

5. Ole Piss REBELS

 

(Photo: © Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports)

ESPN FPI: 9th toughest schedule nationally

The word: Will Baylor get the benefit of the doubt with a healthy bulk of its lineup returning in 2020 and be ranked inside the Top 25 to open without head coach Matt Rhule? That Week 1 contest with the Bears is intriguing for the Rebels, who will take the field with considerable expectations during Lane Kiffin's first campaign. He'll get a breather in Week 2 with a cupcake before the gauntlet begins with four games over the next five vs. Top 15 opponents. Brutal. A soft back end of the slate could be beneficial for a team expecting to get to bowl season.

4. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

ESPN FPI: 7th toughest schedule nationally

The word: Sam Pittman needs his team to play at their best the first month of the season or else a 1-3 start could be the most likely scenario to end the month. Texas A&M has beaten Arkansas six straight times at AT&T Stadium and eight consecutive games overall. The only reason the Razorbacks aren't ranked No. 1 in this list for 2020 is due to a Week 2 non-conference matchup at Notre Dame. The top squad in our rankings plays the exact same opponents we expect to be in the Top 25 except Clemson, who they'll get on the road out of league play — comparable to Notre Dame based on quality, yes, but winning in Death Valley is more difficult.

3. LSU TIGERS

 

(Photo: Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)

ESPN FPI: 4th toughest schedule nationally

The word: LSU won't play its first true road game next season until Oct. 10 at Florida, which means there will be time for quarterback Myles Brennan to form a rapport with his pass-catchers and find some semblance of a rhythm in the Tigers' wide-open attack. How that is going to look without Joe Brady no one knows, but LSU won't reinvent the wheel on that side of the ball coming off a national title. Ultimately, winning another SEC West title and getting back to Atlanta may depend on what the Tigers do over the final two weeks of the season in road contests at Auburn and Texas A&M. Texas, Florida and Alabama are the other 'Big 3' vs. Top 25 competition with comparable talent. Like Alabama, the Tigers will play five teams ranked inside ESPN's Top 15.

2. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

 

(Photo: Jeff Blake, USA TODAY Sports)

ESPN FPI: 3rd toughest schedule nationally

The word: Alabama is the only team in college football that will play nine teams on its 2020 schedule that appeared in a bowl game last season and also battles five opponents inside ESPN's Top 15 (per FPI), so why aren't the Crimson Tide higher on this list? One of our subjective factors in this ranking is likelihood it affects win-loss success and sometimes, the "tough" matchups can be somewhat misleading. Alabama will have no issues rolling over Georgia State and Kent State in Tuscaloosa, two teams that both played in the postseason last fall. As for the season-defining games in Alabama's quest to get back to the Playoff after a one-year hiatus, Week 3 vs. Georgia and the trip to Baton Rouge in November are the most important.

1. SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

 

(Photo: 247Sports)

ESPN FPI: 2nd toughest schedule nationally

The word: After succumbing to the nation's toughest schedule in 2019 with Will Muschamp's worst record in Columbia, the Gamecocks again battle arguably the most difficult in the SEC this season, taking on two of last season's four College Football Playoff teams including national champion LSU. South Carolina is the only team in the country that will play three of the top six teams in ESPN's FPI Top 25 (Clemson, LSU, Georgia) and each of those games comes in November. This team must get to the midseason mark prior to playing Texas A&M with at least four wins to get back to bowl eligibility or this could be it for the current coaching. 

[houtiger]

I watched the aTm game today, we won again.  Brennan threw some good passes, the pass to Racy McMath over on the sideline that he took into the end zone, it was a thing of beauty, the throw that is.  Brennan has a gun.  The question of how good he can be is not a question of physical talent, he has that.  During that game they talk about how well Burrow goes through his progression, if his primary receiver is covered, he moves quickly to his secondary, you could see his head moving, not locked on to a receiver.  How well we do this season will be how well does Brennan "process" what he's seeing, they kept saying Burrow processes what he is seeing very rapidly.

It's the first time I looked at Racy McMath coming off the field, he looks pretty well put together.  Moffitt has been good for Racy.