LSU opened spring practice Saturday, the first step in a long journey toward getting back to national title contention in the ultra-competitive SEC West.

The Tigers crumbled down the stretch last fall and saw their streak of four straight 10 plus-win seasons end despite flexing the the league’s best defense. Anchored by one of the nation’s best backs in Leonard Fournette, eight returning starters on each side of the football gives LSU reason for optimism heading into Les Miles’ 11th season in Baton Rouge.

Several new faces on the coaching staff made their unofficial debuts during indoor-outdoor sessions including defensive line coach Ed Orgeron who delivered a proper how-to on shedding a block with a power move:

Coach O showing the Defensive Line how it’s done on the first day of #LSU spring practice. A video posted by Emily Villere Dixon (@emilyvdixon) on

LSU is the 10th career stop for Kevin Steele who takes over lead defensive duties from John Chavis following a messy exit to Texas A&M. Steele won’t reinvent the wheel considering the Tigers were one of the nation’s best in all facets defensively last season.

He primarily spent time with linebackers on Saturday:

True freshman early enrollee Kevin Toliver looked fluid in the gauntlet — at least from available video evidence — and is expected to make a first-year impact as one of the SEC’s few five-star signings in the secondary.

Incoming running backs Derrius Guice and Nick Brossette, still in high school at the moment, watched from the sidelines during drills. They’ll provide depth and compete for second-team carries with rising sophomore Darrel Williams following the departure of seniors Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard.

We all know who will receive the lion’s share of attempts after becoming the featured back midway through his freshman season in 2014:

One question offensive coordinator Cam Cameron wants answered before May is at the quarterback spot. Incumbent Anthony Jennings is the odds-on favorite to retain his job, but second-year passer Brandon Harris is continuing to progress. He didn’t get the ball out fast enough for Cameron’s liking during screen drills, however.

LSU’s spring game will be played on April 18.