With thin roster numbers, Ed Orgeron puts big-time pressure on 2021 freshmen to contribute
Between opt outs and injuries, LSU is struggling to keep its roster intact as the Tigers finish off the 2020 season. That’s why coach Ed Orgeron is already looking to the 2021 recruiting class to restore a level playing field in terms of scholarship players.
On his regular weekly appearance on “Off the Bench” on ESPN Baton Rouge, Orgeron spoke to the thin roster numbers facing the Tigers as they get set to play host to Alabama on Saturday. Orgeron said the Alabama game will be a physical game, a “big man’s game,” and the Tigers need to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but we’re up to it,” he said.
LSU has competed in recent weeks with 59 scholarship players, and Orgeron understands that needs to improve. Can LSU do it with a hard cap of signing 25 players each year?
“We’re going to get close. Everybody that we recruit is going to have to be able to contribute next year,” he said. “Especially on the offensive line because we lose everybody. I’m looking for grad transfers, I’m looking for junior college players, looking for great high school players who are ready to play. That’s going to be a key part in our recruiting class.”
Orgeron understands that of the offensive linemen already on the roster, there are guys that need to lose weight and further develop in order to play meaningful snaps.
“It’s going to be a big offseason for us,” he said.
Hard to imagine LSU in this position.
Well, we sent more players to the nfl last season than any SEC team every has. Add in multiple opt outs and injuries, and here we are. Good news is, we have plenty of room for just about everyone to return while still recruiting a full class. Lots of programs won’t be able to do that. I’m not sure what the ncaa is going to do about the 85 man scholarship limit going forward, but it doesn’t seem like it will have any impact on us.
‘“We’re going to get close. Everybody that we recruit is going to have to be able to contribute next year,” he said. “Especially on the offensive line because we lose everybody.’
See, no worries about LSU’s path back to relevancy. They just need 5 new OL and to hit on every 2021 recruit. There isn’t a coaching staff in America I trust more to make this happen.
All I know is Ed said f*ck Alabama! Complete lack of Class. Saban said absolutely nothing about it after the game but Bama will have a lot to say about it this Saturday night
Lack of class? Really? You think he is the only coach in history to drop an F-bomb on another team in the privacy of his teams locker room when trying to fire his guys up for a game. Have you ever played sports? I doubt seriously ‘Bama will need this for motivation Saturday night.
It was a heat of the moment comment that was understandable considering the complete context (crux of an unbelievable emotional season + history vs Alabama + beating the Tide in their own house + pressure finally off to finally win this game + etc etc etc). Classless is a little harsh, it was maybe PG-13 at worst.
Classless is the way Saban constantly berates people to their face – that’s classless.