Advertisement

Projecting LSU’s Week 1 offensive depth chart

tyler nettuno
·5 min read

With the kickoff of the college football season now behind us, it’s game week for the LSU Tigers.

Coach Brian Kelly begins his first campaign in Baton Rouge with a high-profile matchup against Florida State in prime time at the Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday night. The Seminoles and coach Mike Norvell were in action during Week 0, beating Duquesne 47-7 in a tuneup before they face their first real test.

LSU is still yet to announce a starting quarterback or release its depth chart for the first game, but after spring and fall camps, we have a good idea how things are going to shake out on the roster this season.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how we expect the offensive depth chart to look when it’s released later this week. We will take a look at the defense on Tuesday.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

  1. [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], Senior

  2. [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], Redshirt Freshman

  3. [autotag]Walker Howard[/autotag], Freshman

We have a lot more clarity here following Myles Brennan’s retirement, and though LSU is yet to name a starter, Daniels seems to be pulling away and has reportedly seen most of the first-team reps recently. Nussmeier could still see some action, and Howard is the most intriguing long-term option.

Running Back

Syndication: The Daily Advertiser

  1. [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag], Senior (Suspended first two games)

  2. [autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag], Junior

  3. [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag], Sophomore

  4. [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag], Junior

This is likely Emery’s job once he’s back from suspension, but in the meantime, expect a heavy dose of Cain and Goodwin in the first two weeks. Williams is a former walk-on who can also make some plays in the rotation.

Wide Receiver 1

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

  1. [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag], Junior

  2. [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], Sophomore

Boutte should be one of the nation’s best receivers coming back from injury and earned the No. 7 jersey. Thomas, meanwhile, looks to build on a solid true freshman season and could push for a starting role.

Wide Receiver 2

Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

  1. [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag], Sophomore

  2. [autotag]Jack Bech[/autotag], Sophomore

Both players coming off impressive sophomore seasons, Nabers has reportedly had a strong offseason and seems to have earned the No. 2 role behind Boutte. Bech was expected to start for much of the offseason and represented the team at SEC Media Days, but he may begin the year as a rotational player.

Wide Receiver 3

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

  1. [autotag]Jaray Jenkins[/autotag], Senior

  2. [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], Junior

This spot is tougher to predict and could be up for grabs. We’ll give the edge to Jenkins, a veteran, over Bech or Thomas — though this could be subject to change. Lacy, meanwhile, is a transfer from Louisiana who should make an impact.

Tight End

Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

  1. [autotag]Kole Taylor[/autotag], Junior

  2. [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag], Freshman

  3. [autotag]Jack Mashburn[/autotag], Junior

  4. [autotag]Nick Storz[/autotag], Graduate Student

The 6-foot-7 Kole Taylor is the most experienced returning player in this group, but he’s getting pushed by true freshman Mason Taylor (no relation), who the coaches have raved about this fall. Mashburn and Storz are both veterans who have made marginal impacts so far, and the latter un-medically retired this offseason.

Left Tackle

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

  1. [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag], Freshman

  2. [autotag]Marcus Dumervil[/autotag], Sophomore

  3. [autotag]Bo Bordelon[/autotag], Freshman

This is one of the few positions that doesn’t require conjecture. Kelly already announced Campbell as the starter as the true freshman early enrollee has made quite an impression already. Dumervil was also in the mix to start on the right side and should be a solid backup, while Bordelon is more of a project.

Left Guard

Syndication: The Daily Advertiser

  1. [autotag]Tre’Mond Shorts[/autotag], Redshirt Senior

  2. [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag], Freshman

  3. [autotag]Xavier Hill[/autotag], Sophomore

Shorts is an experienced four-year starter transfer from East Tennessee State and should be one of the stronger members of this group. Jones is a true freshman who is expected to develop into a really good player.

Center

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

  1. [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag], Sophomore

  2. [autotag]Charles Turner[/autotag], Junior

  3. [autotag]Fitzgerald West Jr.[/autotag], Freshman

This one is a bit of a surprise. Turner was expected to win the job in spring, but Dellinger, who saw most of his action at guard, seems to have taken the spot and Turner should serve as his backup. West is a true freshman who likely won’t see much action this fall but could down the line.

Right Guard

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

  1. [autotag]Miles Frazier[/autotag], Redshirt Sophomore

  2. [autotag]Marlon Martinez[/autotag], Junior

  3. [autotag]Kardell Thomas[/autotag], Junior

Frazier comes in from Florida International and was one of the top transfer offensive linemen in the country. Martinez has seen a lot of action over his career and started three games last fall, while Thomas is a former blue-chip who has only appeared in seven games but started twice at right guard in 2021. The Tigers have to like their depth here.

Right Tackle

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

  1. [autotag]Anthony Bradford[/autotag], Junior

  2. [autotag]Cameron Wire[/autotag], Senior

  3. [autotag]Kimo Makane’ole[/autotag], Redshirt Freshman

Interestingly, LSU’s most experienced returning player on the offensive line in Wire doesn’t seem poised to start. Instead, Bradford — who had previously mostly played guard — seems to be the leader in the clubhouse as the Tigers approach the season opener.

Story originally appeared on LSU Tigers Wire