What we learned about LSU: 5 spring takeaways
BATON ROUGE, La. — So things haven’t changed much at LSU, have they?.
Les Miles is still there, even if it seemed like he would be gone last November. And the Tigers still have their usual stable of running backs, including the most talented back they’ve had in Leonard Fournette. And the usual assortment of elite skill players.
But look again and you’ll see that maybe things have changed in some subtle ways. The Tigers were throwing the ball more during the spring game Saturday. And the defense is going a bold, new direction under former Wisconsin defensive coordinator David Aranda.
What’s this new-look LSU team going to look like? Here’s what we learned in spring ball.
1. The emphasis on passing is real
Let’s not get crazy and pretend that LSU is going to forget it has Fournette and start chunking it around with Brandon Harris, Malachi Dupre and the gang. But what spring proved is that when an opponent is able to take the run away — remember the Alabama game? — this year LSU appears to be better able to take advantage.
Harris looked better throwing the ball and the receivers were sharper, a sign that the emphasis Miles said his team has put on the passing game has been more than lip service. Sure, they went up against a somewhat injury-depleted LSU secondary (missing injured starters Rickey Jefferson and Kevin Toliver), but it really did seem that Harris, perhaps spurred along by competition from Purdue transfer Danny Etling, was making good decisions and putting the ball where it needs to be.
That’s a scary thought for defenses that have a hard enough time stopping Fournette without having to worry about a passing game.
2. The defense is a work in progress
Halfway through spring practice, Aranda decided to try moving 293-pound Davon Godchaux to nose guard while shifting 307-pound Christian LaCouture to defensive end. From arm’s length, it might seem counter-intuitive, given that the stereotype of a 3-4 nose guard is that of a monstrous space eater.
But Aranda found that the athletic Godchaux is a better fit to use his speed in a slanting scheme, while LaCouture’s size is better to take on an offensive tackle 1-on-1.
That may not be the last position switch you see from the defense. Save some true freshmen, none of the defensive players were recruited to play in a 3-4 scheme and while good players can play in any schemes, figuring out exactly how to use players who have not played in the defense can be tough.
So are there more moves on the defensive line? Can secondary players move around more? It could be well into August before all the roles are identified.
3. Youth will make an impact
Miles never has been afraid to play young players. This year, the reliance on youth may have seemed less necessary with seniors like LaCouture and Kendell Beckwith still in school and not preparing for the NFL draft.
But with the defense shifting to a new scheme and in some key spots where the Tigers lack depth, LSU likely will be looking for immediate impact freshmen. At linebacker, for example, freshmen Devin White and Michael Divinity Jr., are making a push to play on the outside. Not only did those positions not exist in last year’s 4-3 scheme, the Tigers were woefully lacking in linebacker depth.
Necessity is part of their likely playing time. But with big performances in the spring game, cornerback Saivion Smith (who had an interception of Etling) and wide receiver Dee Anderson (who had a 70-yard touchdown reception from Etling) put themselves in position to challenge to make an immediate impact in spots where LSU has veterans returning.
4. A little less Leonard Fournette?
The All-American’s little-used and much smaller younger brother Lanard got some carries in the spring game, which may have confused fans. Lanard is three inches shorter 43 pounds lighter than his older brother, which prompted some unknowing fans to react with an “I didn’t know Fournette was so small,” when the lesser-known little brother toted the rock.
Confusion aside, Miles would like a little less of the bigger, older brother in the future. “He could slim down some,” Miles said in the post-game press conference, saying that Fournette needed to slim down to make sure he has elite speed in August. Miles didn’t say how much weight he’d like to see his star lose.
But it appeared Miles was publicly challenging his star to an offseason goal.
5. A little depth at offensive line
LSU played the spring game with three of its five starting offensive offensive line — center Ethan Pocic, offensive guard Will Clapp and offensive tackle Toby Weathersby — out with injuries. And while blocking wasn’t perfect — there were nine total sacks in the game — the young offensive line held up well.
Miles said he thought sophomore K.J. Malone helped himself with a solid game at Weathersby’s right tackle spot. With Andy Dodd filling in for Pocic at center and Garrett Brumfield in Clapp’s spot, the first-team offensive line opened holes for Fournette and protected Harris just fine.