Brian Kelly couldn’t help but notice the dramatic difference between last year’s spring practice, and what LSU can do this year.

As the Tigers opened workouts, Kelly noted the differences came from vocabulary to even keeping a helmet on during practice.

“We couldn’t talk in these terms last year,” Kelly said. “We were talking about how to practice, we were talking about not going on one knee during practice, taking your helmet off, throwing your helmet. We were talking much more about emotional control. … You need more than just talent alone to win a national championship.”

The next 5 or 6 weeks is not about winning a drill or matchup, it’s about total preparation, Kelly said.

“And it’s about how you continue to develop the traits necessary to be elite,” he said.

In other news, Kelly spoke about the quarterbacks and said about Walker Howard’s transfer: “You want to do a great job with retention. Sometimes it’s out of your hands.”

He added Garrett Nussmeier had an offseason procedure, but he was throwing today and will be full-go soon.