With thin roster numbers, Ed Orgeron puts big-time pressure on 2021 freshmen to contribute
By Keith Farner
Published:
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.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
