LSU is getting ready to start spring practice this weekend on March 7. What are some areas the Tigers need to focus on to bounced back from their 8-5 campaign last season?

  • Develop the quarterbacks — Quite obviously, the quarterback situation is going to determine how far LSU can go in 2015. Anthony Jennings or Brandon Harris is going to have to be the answer, and it’s going to be on LSU’s staff to get at least one of them up to par. Jennings was maddeningly inconsistent, while Harris couldn’t find the field in 2014. One of them is going to have to be ready for big-time SEC football if LSU is going to compete this year.
  • Tailor the offense to help the QB — LSU is going to run the ball and run it some more; that’s what you do when you have Leonard Fournette in the backfield. The Tigers are going to have to throw at some point, and when they do that they need to do it in a way that takes advantage of their passers’ relative skills. Instead of trying to air it out downfield, like LSU was able to do with Zach Mettenberger, Cam Cameron could try rolling out Harris or Jennings and give them a chance to use their mobility instead of putting them in a pocket passer mold that they just don’t fit into.
  • Figure out the offensive line — The Tigers get back three starters on the offensive line, but there’s a good chance that none of them will start at the same position where they spent the most time in 2014. Jerald Hawkins is expected to move from right to left tackle, Vadal Alexander could move from left guard to fill Hawkins’ spot at right tackle and Ethan Pocic could play guard or center after splitting time between the two last year. Brent Grimes will be tasked with sorting out who plays where and who fills in at the open spots.
  • Bring the defensive line talent along — Last year, LSU suffered from a major lack of depth along the defensive line, especially in the middle of the line. Several redshirt freshmen — Greg Gilmore, Frank Herron and Marquedius Bain — couldn’t get up to speed at defensive tackle, and the freshmen at defensive end didn’t see a ton of playing time. Christian LaCouture and Davon Godchaux both played very well at defensive tackle, but LSU will need depth behind them. While the Tigers are replacing both starting defensive ends, there’s plenty of youth there that can make an impact in 2015.
  • Get the starter opposite of Tre White settled — LSU is stacked in the secondary, despite losing three starters from the beginning of last year. With Jalen Collins going pro and Rashard Robinson now off the team, LSU needs a cornerback to start opposite of Tre’Davious White. While it’s likely that both will see playing time, it’ll be interesting to see who rises to the top between Ed Paris and early enrollee Kevin Toliver. Toliver was one of the most touted recruits in the country and could make an immediate impact, while Paris has a year of college experience under his belt that could help him win the starting job.