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The 2021 LSU team has far more key players returning than the 2020 team had.
That means fewer spots should be wide open compared to last season.
It means the depth chart should be less fluid than it was last season.
But it doesn’t mean there isn’t competition that should alter the depth chart during spring practice, which begins Tuesday.
It certainly doesn’t mean there’s an absence of questions to be answered.
Here are 10 questions I have as LSU opens spring practice:
1. Will a cohesive offensive line emerge?
This invites other questions:
Is LT Dare Rosenthal ready to take his football career seriously?
Are guards Ed Ingram and Chasen Hines going to perform more consistently?
Can someone grab the right tackle spot or will it be won by default?
Can someone emerge and unseat steady but unspectacular Liam Shanahan at center?
That’s a lot questions.
My best guess is there will be more positive answers than negative ones.
The degree of experience should create a more dependable starting unit and a deeper degree of reliability among the backups.
The Tigers need both.
2. Can anyone push Myles Brennan?
The short answer is no.
No one is going to beat out Brennan as long as he’s healthy. But if Max Johnson, TJ Finley or even freshman Garrett Nussmeier can demonstrate that they’re the clear-cut No. 2, LSU will be better positioned to withstand another extended absence by Brennan, if necessary.
The guess here is Johnson will build on his success against Florida and Ole Miss at the end of the season and leave Ed Orgeron more comfortable with his insurance.
3. Will someone emerge as the primary ball carrier?
The candidates are Tyrion Davis-Price and John Emery II.
Davis-Price has gotten more opportunities than Emery – both as backups to Clyde Edwards-Helaire 2 years ago and as the top ball carriers last season – but Emery is the more explosive runner and more effective receiver.
The answer is neither will be a clear-cut No. 1 and that’s OK. There’s nothing wrong with two players sharing the load, especially when their skills complement one another.
4. Which receiver will discourage teams from selling out against Kayshon Boutte?
Boutte sent a message at the end of last season that he is one of the most dynamic receivers in the SEC, especially after his conference-record receiving day against Ole Miss.
He will be the primary target of both Brennan and opposing secondaries. The Tigers have several talented receivers who can take some pressure off of Boutte.
The primary candidate to do that is Koy Moore.
5. Will the tight ends fill the void left by Arik Gilbert?
No, and yes.
They won’t match the expectations or potential of Gilbert, who arrived last season as the most highly-touted tight end in LSU history.
But they might be able to match his actual productivity before entering the transfer portal – 35 catches, 369 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Kole Taylor (he of shoe fame), Devonta Lee, a talented player who didn’t find at home at wide receiver or linebacker, and freshman Jack Bech will give the Tigers a trio that can prevent a drop-off of any note compared to Gilbert.
6. Will the defense take to Daronte Jones’ system better than it took to Bo Pelini’s?
The defense was a mess last season. It cost Pelini his job after 1 season as defensive coordinator.
The Tigers were befuddled early in the season. Pelini simplified the schemes, but the befuddlement continued.
Now they have to learn a new scheme.
Jones must know, because Orgeron has to have emphasized to him, the need to get the defense comfortable and confident during the spring.
So the answer is yes.
7. Does the defensive line have a dependable 2-deep or just potential?
LSU has a lot of talented players on the defensive line. It has a promising balance of youth and experience.
It should be better and deeper than last season.
Whether it is ready to be one of the better lines in the SEC is a much different question, one that can’t be answered until it faces SEC competition.
8. Can Navonteque Strong have an impact similar to what Jabril Cox had?
The linebackers struggled last season, but Cox, a graduate transfer from North Dakota State, was one of LSU’s best defensive players.
Strong, one of the highest-rated JUCO linebackers last season, was brought in to have a similar impact.
He will.
9. Will Derek Stingley be one of the top players in college football?
Yes.
He was an All-American as a freshman 2 years ago.
He battled through injuries, the new scheme and the defensive deficiencies and had a drop-off last season.
But he was still good.
He should be healthy, confident and determined to show he’s ready to be a high first-round draft choice.
He’ll show in the spring that he’s ready to bounce back.
10. Will the team look like it did early last season or late season?
The Tigers dealt with a lot last season – numerous losses from the 2019 national champions, several losses during the preseason and the season and a lack of confidence.
That led to a poor start and a 3-5 record.
Then they beat Florida and Ole Miss.
They were at their best and most confident at the end.
The momentum they took from the field in mid-December was bolstered by the decision of numerous key players to return and another well-regarded recruiting class.
LSU will enter spring feeling it’s headed in the right direction and it will show in how the Tigers prepare.
Les East is a New Orleans-based football writer who covers LSU for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @Les_East.
