Brian Kelly has long preached that LSU aimed to build a foundation when he took over the program. Last year at this time, Kelly talked about the fundamentals of learning how to practice.

That has changed a year later, and therefore expectations after Practice 1 have changed.

“The realistic expectation is that there are a number of veterans back here, they are able to recognize how to prepare, in relative terms to practice,” he said. “This time last year we were teaching them how to practice. I think, by and large, that happened today. The work that we did last year we should be able to build upon. We should be making incremental jumps in certain areas. Those are the realistic expectations across the board for every player. They should make those jumps.”

Kelly later said that experience is a key for the Tigers.

“The strength of this unit is returning SEC players,” he said. “Playing in this league requires more than just athleticism. You’ve gotta know how to play it for four quarters. I think we have experience and that will be the strength of this football team.”