LSU 2019 Early Football Depth Chart

[LSUDad]

Projecting LSU's 2019 depth chart midway thru summer workouts

BySONNY SHIPP Jul 2, 9:57 AM 

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(Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

LSU's summer workout program kicks into high gear on Monday once the players report for summer classes.

The Tigers return eight starters on each side of the ball and a solid nucleus of players who played extensively in 2018 when Ed Orgeron called their numbers.

Steve Ensminger will enter his second full season – third if you count his interim role in 2016 – as the offensive coordinator with weapons all around a returning starter at quarterback in Joe Burrow and four starters on the offensive line. Add in new passing game coordinator Joe Brady and Tiger fans are excited about the offense’s potential.

Defensively, Dave Aranda has a veteran unit as he enters his fourth season in Baton Rouge.

Aranda dodged several NFL bullets when Kristian Fulton, Michael Divinity, Rashard Lawrence and Breiden Fehoko elected to return for their senior season, giving the Tigers playmakers at every level when you factor in unanimous All-American safety Grant Delpit.

Let's take a look at how we see the depth chart a month into summer workouts with the start of fall camp less than a month away.

QUARTERBACK

 

(Photo: Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)

 

Starter

4-star Joe Burrow (6-4, 216, Sr.)

Backups

4-star Myles Brennan (6-5, 183, So.)

4-star Peter Parrish (6-1, 190, Fr.)

Skinny: It’s been several years since LSU went into a season with a proven commodity behind center, but the Tigers are set in Burrow. After avoiding contact all spring because of a sore shoulder (precautionary only), Burrow has looked good during June, constantly working with the skill position players surrounding him. A 10-3 season, fourth-highest total in passing yards in a season (2,894), third-highest number of completions (219) and second-best total yards in a season (3,292) are numbers LSU fans have been dreaming of after years of less than stellar quarterback play. All of that was accomplished with Burrow only in the program for seven months. Give him a full offseason season to work with his supporting cast and Burrow should eclipse all those numbers in 2019. Expect to see more of Brennan with the redshirt mission accomplished in 2018 as the heir apparent when Burrow’s time is up, while Parrish gets limited action and still preserves his redshirt after a strong start to his summer.

RUNNING BACK

 

(Photo: Stephen Lew, USA TODAY Sports)

 

Starter

4-star Clyde Edwards-Helaire (5-9, 212, Jr.)

Backups

4-star Chris Curry (6-0, 219, Fr.)

4-star Tyrion Davis-Price (6-1, 226, Fr.)

3-star Lanard Fournette (5-11, 206, Sr.)

5-star John Emery (6-0, 203, Fr.)

Skinny: Edwards-Helaire had a solid sophomore campaign with 658 yards and 7 TDs on 146 carries, forming a nice 1-2 punch with Nick Brossette. LSU signed the best running back duo in the country in Emery and Davis with Curry coming off a big spring. Davis, particularly, has really impressed since he's been on campus for a month and should be No. 2 early in the season. All four are different types of backs and will complement one another nicely, and Fournette has shown he can be a weapon as a receiver in this offense, which is why I currently project the senior ahead of the freshman Emery.

WIDE RECEIVER & TIGHT END

 

(Photo: Terrill Weil, 247Sports)

 

WR Starters

3-star Justin Jefferson (6-2, 185, Jr.)

5-star Ja'Marr Chase (6-1, 205, So.)

5-star Terrace Marshall (6-4, 209, So.)

Backups

4-star Dee Anderson (6-6, 229, Sr.)

4-star Racey McMath (6-3, 221, Jr.)

4-star Derrick Dillon (5-11, 184, Sr.)

3-star Jontre Kirklin (6-0, 182, Jr.)

3-star Jaray Jenkins (6-3, 194, Fr.)

4-star Trey Palmer (6-1, 180, Fr.)

4-star Devonta Lee (6-1, 223, Fr.)

 

Predicted TE Starter

4-star Stephen Sullivan (6-7, 232, Sr.)

Backups

4-star Jamal Pettigrew (6-7, 241, Jr.)

3-star Tory Carter (6-2, 259, Jr.)

3-star Thaddeus Moss (6-3, 225, Jr.)

3-star TK McLendon (6-5, 241, Jr.)

4-star Ray Parker (6-5, 233, Fr.)

Skinny: So much talent and so many questions on how to get everyone involved and keep them happy. Jefferson’s 54 receptions were two shy of Jarvis Landry’s 56 catches as a sophomore. But Jefferson’s 875 yards and 6 TDs topped the marks of Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.’s sophomore campaigns. Jefferson proved he could be a No. 1 guy and Chase showed he was ready in the Fiesta Bowl when he led the Tigers with six catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. Chase and Sullivan tied for second on the team with 23 receptions, while Dillon and Anderson grabbed 22 and 20 passes, respectively. With Sullivan flexing out at tight end, it's a way for LSU to get another receiver on the field with Pettigrew on his heels. Marshall caught a dozen passes and averaged 16 yards a catch but should top those numbers by a wide margin in 2019. 

OFFENSIVE LINE

 

(Photo: Terrill Weil, 247Sports)

 

Starting Center

3-star Lloyd Cushenberry (6-4, 309, Jr.)

Backups

4-star Chasen Hines (6-4, 336, So.)

3-star Charles Turner (6-4, 245, Fr.)

Starting Guards

4-star Adrian Magee (6-4, 335, Sr.)

3-star Damien Lewis (6-3, 322, Sr.)

Backups

4-star Ed Ingram (6-4, 314, So.)

4-star Chasen Hines (6-4, 336, So.)

4-star Donavaughn Campbell (6-4, 351, Jr.)

4-star Kardell Thomas (6-3, 329, Fr.)

Starting Tackles

4-star Saahdiq Charles (6-5, 305, Jr.)

4-star Austin Deculus (6-7, 321, Jr.)

Backups

4-star Adrian Magee (6-4, 335, Sr.)

4-star Badara Traore (6-7, 323, Sr.)

4-star Dare Rosenthal (6-8, 333, Fr.)

3-star Cameron Wire (6-7, 296, Fr.)

4-star Anthony Bradford (6-7, 355, Fr.)

3-star Thomas Perry (6-6, 341, Fr.)

Skinny: Depth at center is something LSU must address behind Cushenberry and I think Hines could factor in there. I’m taking a leap of faith with inserting Ingram into the two-deep, but based on what I’ve heard I expect the sophomore back on the team after sitting out 2018 with his legal issues. If things work out that way, LSU would have five starters back. Protecting the edge is an area LSU must improve at and tackle is the spot you should see the biggest competition this summer and into fall camp. Traore did not progress the way many had hoped last year, and the jury is still out on Rosenthal and Wire after both took a redshirt last season. That leaves Charles and Deculus as the two returning starters and the two to beat out. If anyone steps up and takes one of those spots, my money would be on Ingram or Traore on the right side. In closing, when is the last time LSU had more tackles than guards on a depth chart?

 

 

 

 

DEFENSIVE LINE

 

(Photo: Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)

 

Starting Nose Tackle

4-star Tyler Shelvin (6-3, 362, So.)

Backups

4-star Siaki Ika (6-4, 347, Fr.)

4-star Breiden Fehoko (6-4, 291, Sr.)

Starting Defensive Ends

4-star Rashard Lawrence (6-3, 317, Sr.)

4-star Breiden Fehoko (6-4, 291, Sr.) or 4-star Glen Logan (6-4, 297, Jr.)

Backups

3-star Neil Farrell (6-5, 295, Jr.)

3-star Soni Fonua (6-4, 274, Jr.)

3-star Nelson Jenkins (6-4, 305, Fr.)

3-star Justin Thomas (6-5, 268, So.)

3-star Joseph Evans (6-2, 288, Fr.)

3-star Aaron Moffitt (6-3, 262, So.)

3-star Jakori Savage (6-6, 296, Jr.)

Skinny: LSU started the season with Fehoko in the middle because neither Ed Alexander, Shelvin nor Dominic Livingston were ready from a conditioning perspective. Alexander stepped up midway through the year and that allowed Fehoko to slide back to his end spot. After the progress Shelvin and Ika made in the spring, I see Fehoko back at his more natural spot and sliding inside in nickel situations. Lawrence shined in the Fiesta Bowl and Logan and Farrell showed flashes last season that should be more common in 2019. Jenkins has the talent and should emerge as a guy who can give LSU some snaps in SEC play. If that happens, the Tigers would be deeper than they have been in the defensive trench for several years. Fonua's late arrival will slow him down some, but I think the junior college transfer rises up the charts quickly in fall camp.

LINEBACKER

 

(Photo: Terrill Weil, 247Sports)

 

Starting Outside Linebackers

5-star K'Lavon Chaisson (6-4, 238, So.)

4-star Andre Anthony (6-4, 238, Jr.)

Backups

4-star Ray Thornton (6-4, 226, Jr.)

3-star Travez Moore (6-4, 253, Jr.)

4-star Jarell Cherry (6-3, 235, Fr.)

3-star Desmond Little (6-5, 210, Fr.)

Starting Inside Linebackers

4-star Michael Divinity (6-2, 238, Sr.)

4-star Patrick Queen (6-2, 232, Jr.)

Backups

4-star Jacob Phillips (6-4, 229, Jr.)

4-star Damone Clark (6-4, 238, So.)

4-star Micah Baskerville (6-2, 233, So.)

3-star Kendall McCallum (6-5, 225, Fr.)

4-star Donte Starks (6-1, 212, Fr.)

Skinny: Divinity's move inside shores up the middle but expect to see him and possibly Queen playing on the edge as well as inside with Phillips fighting for snaps inside. The surprise here is Queen starting over Phillips, but that is how Dave Aranda ended the spring with Phillips dinged up and I'm told Queen hasn't relinquished his grip on the spot. The key is going to be getting your four best linebackers on the field and I feel those are Divinity, Queen, Phillips and Chaisson. LSU never found a consistent replacement when Chaisson suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the opener against Miami. Anthony and Thornton had some brief moments but neither provided a reliable outside rush threat. Moore redshirted and has a ton of potential with his frame and athleticism. However, he has to prove he can be counted on. Cherry  may be another year away physically from giving the Tigers meaningful SEC snaps. 

SECONDARY

 

(Photo: Terrill Weil, 247Sports)

 

Starting Cornerbacks

5-star Kristian Fulton (6-0, 192, Sr.)

5-star Derek Stingley (6-1, 195, Fr.)

Backups

4-star Kelvin Joseph (6-1, 195, So.)

4-star Kary Vincent (5-10, 181, Jr.)

4-star Mannie Netherly (6-3, 199, Jr.)

3-star Cordale Flott (6-2, 160, Fr.)

4-star Jay Ward (6-2, 167, Fr.)

4-star Raydarious Jones (6-2, 161, Fr.)

Skinny: All-America corner Greedy Williams is gone after two years of locking down receivers, but LSU is still in good shape on the frontline. That’s because Fulton returned to school instead of testing the NFL waters, and the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Derek Stingley, is more than capable of manning the other side. After the two front-line guys, and when LSU is in nickel, that's where the biggest competition lies.

 

 

(Photo: Terrill Weil, 247Sports)

 

Starting Safeties

4-star Grant Delpit (6-3, 203, Jr.)

5-star JaCoby Stevens (6-2, 225, Jr.)

Backups

4-star Eric Monroe (6-1, 200, Jr.)

4-star Todd Harris (5-11, 186, Jr.)

4-star Kelvin Joseph (6-1, 195, So.)

4-star Kenan Jones (6-3, 210, So.)

5-star Marcel Brooks (6-2, 194, Fr.)

4-star Maurice Hampton (6-1, 215, Fr.)

3-star Cameron Lewis (6-2, 201, Jr.)

Skinny: A lot of options here but it became apparent that Aranda likes Stevens on the field because of his versatility alongside Delpit, who should be the Jim Thorpe Award favorite after his sensational sophomore season. Monroe and Harris may be better cover men than Stevens, so I expect both to see plenty of action and even push Stevens in fall camp. Getting Hampton over pro baseball was a major coup and I would not be surprised to see him move up the list a few games into the season.

NICKEL

 

(Photo: Julie Bennett, USA TODAY Sports)

 

Starter

4-star Kary Vincent (5-10, 181, Jr.)

4-star Kelvin Joseph (6-1, 195, So.)

4-star Eric Monroe (6-1, 200, Jr.)

4-star Todd Harris (5-11, 186, Jr.)

4-star Maurice Hampton (6-1, 215, Fr.)

3-star Cordale Flott (6-2, 160, Fr.)

4-star Jay Ward (6-2, 167, Fr.)

Skinny: There’s so many options here, but LSU wants to find a way to get Vincent’s speed on the field and nickel looks to be the best fit. Monroe and Harris looked solid when LSU went with extra defensive back packages the last two springs. And don't sleep on Hampton or Flott if injuries pile up. If there is one spot on defense LSU doesn’t have to worry about, it should be nickel with the depth Corey Raymond and Bill Busch have assembled.

SPECIALISTS

 

(Photo: Matt Bush, USA TODAY Sports)

 

Starters

3-star K – Cade York (6-2, 175, Fr.)

Unranked Kickoff Specialist – Avery Atkins (6-1, 210, So.)

Unranked P – Zach Von Rosenberg (6-5, 245, Jr.)

56COMMENTS

2-star LS – Blake Ferguson(6-4, 235, Sr.)

Backups

3-star PK – Connor Culp (6-0, 203, So.)

Unranked P – Josh Growden (6-2, 19, Sr.)

2-star LS – Quentin Skinner (6-0, 235, Fr.)

Skinny: Tiger fans wish they had more time with Cole Tracy and who wouldn’t after the record-setting season he had. York will have to beat out Atkins and Culp, while Atkins has the kickoff duties on lock down.  The same goes with Ferguson and Von Rosenberg at snapping and punting, respectively. What isn’t listed is kickoff and punt return duties because those possibilities are endless. LSU likes having a running back on kick returns and that could be a role that Clyde Edwards-Helaire and John Emery both fill. After Jonathan Giles had so many issues returning punts, that could fall in the hands of Derek Stingley, Jontre Kirklin, Ja'Marr Chase, possibly even Derrick Dillon. Again, there is no shortage of options.

[houtiger]

This is in the rumor category, but I did see it somewhere on the net, and now I can't find it again. 

Ed Ingram at one point had a pre-trial hearing followed by a trial date in Dallas, both scheduled in June.  Obviously that did not happen, and I don't know why.  Then I read the dates had been moved to early Sept. for the pre-trial hearing, and mid Sept. for the trial date.  If that is true, Ed will not be showing up for a while.  Of course depending on how the trial goes, if it goes to trial, he might never show back up.  Last time O spoke about Ingram, he did not sound optimistic.  Basically O just said Ingram was in the process and he had to complete the process.

[houtiger]

On 7/18/2019 at 12:14 PM, houtiger said:

This is in the rumor category, but I did see it somewhere on the net, and now I can't find it again. 

Ed Ingram at one point had a pre-trial hearing followed by a trial date in Dallas, both scheduled in June.  Obviously that did not happen, and I don't know why.  Then I read the dates had been moved to early Sept. for the pre-trial hearing, and mid Sept. for the trial date.  If that is true, Ed will not be showing up for a while.  Of course depending on how the trial goes, if it goes to trial, he might never show back up.  Last time O spoke about Ingram, he did not sound optimistic.  Basically O just said Ingram was in the process and he had to complete the process.

Confirms what I had heard a couple of weeks ago:

 

Quote

 

LSU's suspended lineman Ed Ingram may return 'if things go right'; Trial set for Sept. 13

• BY BROOKS KUBENA | Staff writer
• Aug 1, 2019

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_1024845c-b4b4-11e9-ab83-37b615fe6a81.html

 

 

[LSUDad]

Guessing LSU’s Depth Chart as Camp Opens

13

A rough look at the Tigers’ two-deep before competition begins.

By Billy Gomila@ATVS_ChefBilly  Aug 2, 2019, 7:29am CDT

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Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

LSU has reported for camp and will open the 2019 season’s practices today at 4 p.m. With spring practices and summer workouts in the books, here is an educated guess on how things might stand for LSU’s depth chart before the camp battles begin.

 

Couple notes:

• Tight end rotation is one of the more fascinating positions for me. I love the idea of Stephen Sullivan as a flex match-up, but I’m skeptical as to whether he can handle a major role with hands that haven’t always been consistent. But as a group, there are enough bodies here to maybe combine for some major production.
• Trey Palmer is slowed for now with an injury, but look for him to push for playing time , maybe even ahead of some other upperclassmen. 
• I still see Clyde Edwards-Helaire as getting the first snaps, at least early on. What’s interesting to me is whether that translates to a lot of carries or more of a distribution of passes.
• Ed Ingram remains listed on LSU’s roster, but until there are some firm developments in his legal case, I don’t see him getting on the field any time soon. And for now, I expect Adrian Magee and Chasen Hinesto compete for that job, with Kardell Thomas possibly pushing for some time. 
• Look for Hines to work as the backup center in light of Cole Smith’s transfer.
• Josh Growden has left the team, so Zach Von Rosenberg will have the punting duties to himself this year. Growden did a nice job as a short-range directional kicker, so we’ll see if Von Rosenberg can add that to his skill set. We know he has a big leg.

 

• Love the defensive line depth here. Glen Logan basically gives LSU a fourth starter up front in the base defense. Although in nickel looks I expect that we’ll see the nose tackle come off and Logan, Rashard Lawrence and Breiden Fehoko as the top three linemen on the field. Neil Farrell is a good fourth body there, and redshirt freshman Jarrell Cherry has gotten a ton of good pub since the spring. Also expect JUCO recruit Soni Fonua to work his way in here.
• It seems like the coaching staff likes Patrick Queen too much to keep him on the bench, so look for him to get on the field at one of the linebacker spots. He remains in competition with Jacob Phillips inside, but if he loses out there, watch for him to slide to the F-linebacker spot and maybe rotate inside from time to time.
• The backup cornerback spots are interesting as well, especially with Kelvin Joseph gone. Mannie Netherly was talked out of transferring, so obviously LSU sees a future for him. But there’s a lot of talent coming in with Raydarious Jones, Jay Ward and Cordale Flott. 
• The open safety spot, and how the positions will rotate should be really fascinating for schematic junkies. In nickel, I think we’ll see Grant Delpit play near the line with Kary Vincent Jr. playing deeper as a nickel/safety combo. But the other deep spot will likely come down to Todd Harris Jr. or Eric Monroe. Jacoby Stevens seems to be settled into his nickel/dime hybrid role, although it would be fascinating to see if he can increase his presence. Maurice Hampton might be a wild card here as well, once he gets up to speed with his hand injury.

 

Link:

 

https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2019/8/2/20748941/2019-lsu-football-fall-practice-preseason-depth-chart