Blue’s recovery ahead of schedule

Senior running back Alfred Blue said he is ahead of schedule recovering from the season-ending knee injury he suffered last season but probably won’t be cleared for contact this spring. 

Blue took handoffs and ran around when LSU spring practice opened on Thursday. He said he felt he was at about 90 percent and didn’t think he lost a step from the injury.

“I feel the same as I was before I got hurt,” Blue said. “At moments I feel like my burst is not there, but sometimes I feel faster than I was. I’m just trying to adjust to my knee.”

Blue said his doctor gave him the option to skip spring football, but he decided to participate because he didn’t want to fall behind in newly hired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s system.

“Right now the coaches said contact is not needed because they know what I can do,” Blue said. “I’m just trying to get comfortable with my knee, but if it was fall, I’d be full contact.” 

Collins slims down

Junior offensive lineman La’el Collins said he lost 15 pounds to transition from left guard to left tackle because he needed to get quicker to move back outside. 

LSU coach Les Miles said he plans to give Collins the first crack at the left tackle spot this spring after Collins played guard for the Tigers last season. 

“I’m down to 310 [pounds] now, and I feel good,” Collins said. “It’s all about being able to move your feet and being quicker with your hands. One missed punch can get you beat off the edge.” 

Collins said he is comfortable at guard or tackle and is willing to play whatever the coaches need him to play. 

Sophomore Jonah Austin took most of the snaps at left guard on Thursday, according to Collins. 

Magee transitioning back to running back

Junior Terrence Magee is making the transition back to his natural position of running back after playing wide receiver for the Tigers last season. 

Magee said Miles told him he was switching back when he returned from Christmas break, but he acknowledged the first practice back felt weird.

“I was a little rusty today,” Magee said. “I have to get back used to it and shake the rust off, but I only think that will take a couple practices.”

Magee said he thinks his time at receiver will help him become a receiving threat for the Tigers coming out of the backfield. 

“I feel like it helped me a lot,” Magee said. “I feel more comfortable catching the ball and running routes, which gives me an advantage.”

He said the biggest aspect he needs to work on going forward is his blocking.