LSU left Tenting World Stadium this week believing its program can take one other step towards championship rivalry earlier than it returns to Orlando, Florida, for the 2023 opener towards Florida State. There may be potential, however loads should occur over the following eight months. Listed below are the primary 5 of 10 questions for the offseason.
What occurs at quarterback?
Jayden Daniels returns because the anticipated starter after placing collectively one of the vital productive seasons by a quarterback at school historical past. He completed with 3,803 whole yards, the second-most behind Joe Burrow’s 2019 Heisman marketing campaign, and now has a full offseason to construct chemistry with the receivers.
What makes the scenario intriguing is how redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier performed the ultimate two video games. In aid of an injured Daniels, he threw for 294 second-half yards within the Southeastern Convention championship, then 173 yards whereas rotating within the Citrus Bowl, which became a developmental recreation because the Tigers piled on factors in a 63-7 win over Purdue.
Kelly expects Daniels, Nussmeier and freshman Walker Howard to be at LSU this spring. He stated after the bowl “there isn’t a quarterback controversy” and named Daniels QB1. Kelly added Nussmeier may have the possibility to compete. Although it could take loads to unseat an incumbent starter with Daniels’ success, might Nussmeier earn a task? Or would he determine to switch earlier than his third season?
Can the offense take one other step?
LSU’s offense struggled to search out its footing the primary half of the season with so many new items making an attempt to mesh. Daniels and the receivers wanted to construct belief. The offensive line needed to get settled. The scheme had faults. As soon as all the things got here collectively, LSU turned a nook in consecutive wins over Florida, Ole Miss and Alabama.
There are causes to imagine LSU can construct on the positives inside that three-game stretch, when it averaged 40.6 factors per recreation. As of now, it returns each main contributor besides broad receivers Jaray Jenkins and Kayshon Boutte. The beginning offensive line comes again. Each operating again might return. The broad receiver room is loaded once more. The tight finish room has potential for progress. And Daniels has extra time to develop chemistry along with his teammates than he did final yr.
Will a cornerback overhaul work once more?
As soon as once more, LSU may have new beginning cornerbacks after patching collectively the place with skilled transfers in 2022. The Tigers solely introduced again former Ohio State switch Sevyn Banks and freshman Laterrance Welch after dropping each different scholarship nook.
LSU received youthful on the place whereas signing choices. It doesn’t need to face this case each season, so it pulled former Texas A&M five-star recruit Denver Harris and Southeastern star Zy Alexander from the switch portal. LSU may even add three incoming freshmen, together with high 100 prospect Javien Toviano.
Potential lies throughout the group, however the entire cornerbacks have query marks. It may very well be crucial — and unsure — place battle of the offseason.
Does LSU discover extra linebackers?
After freshman DeMario Tolan entered the switch portal Wednesday, LSU solely has 5 scholarship linebackers heading into subsequent season: sophomore Greg Penn, freshman Harold Perkins, sophomore West Weeks and incoming signees Whit Weeks and Christian Brathwaite.
Tolan had an actual probability to begin subsequent season, and his departure made the linebacker equation much less clear. Penn returns after having began all season, however the spot subsequent to him is open.
Whereas Perkins might transfer inside due to his versatility, defensive coordinator Matt Home stated earlier than Tolan entered the switch portal that LSU wished to place Perkins “in conditions sort of like we have now this yr, the place he’ll be in a possibility to play in area and intensify his abilities” at outdoors linebacker.
No matter the place Perkins performs, Weeks has a possibility to say himself in spring follow. He made 28 tackles as a rotational backup in his first season since transferring from Virginia. LSU might also must search for somebody with expertise within the switch portal.
Who performs on the line of defense?
LSU has three openings on the line of defense after the departures of edge rusher BJ Ojulari, defensive finish Ali Gaye and defensive deal with Jaquelin Roy. The one returning starter will likely be deal with Mekhi Wingo.
So long as he stays on observe, sophomore Maason Smith ought to slide again into the lineup after lacking the season with a torn ACL. Smith, who’s 6-foot-5 and 300 kilos, had nationwide breakout potential earlier than his harm.
Even with Wingo and Smith again, LSU has extra confirmed depth at defensive deal with with sophomore Jacobian Guillory, West Virginia switch Jordan Jefferson and Florida switch Jalen Lee. LSU might also land former Kentucky beginning defensive deal with Justin Rogers.
The battles for beginning spots will occur at Jack linebacker and defensive finish. Sophomore Sai’vion Jones, Arizona switch Paris Shand and freshman Quency Wiggins will compete at defensive finish. Oregon switch Bradyn Swinson, sophomore Zavier Carter and incoming five-star Dashawn Womack will compete at Jack linebacker.