HOOVER, Ala. — LSU coach Les Miles said Jeremy Hill remains suspended indefinitely when he spoke at the Southeastern Conference’s Media Day Thursday.
Miles said he has stayed in close contact with his troubled running back, but said Hill’s status has not changed since he pled guilty to a simple battery charge on July 12.
“We’ve visited Jeremy Hill on a regular basis,” Miles said. “He’s not been in any team meetings, not been in any workouts. We’ve not allowed him in our facility.”
Hill led the Tigers with 775 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012. Miles acknowledged his team will have a hole to fill in the backfield if the suspension continues through the start the season.
When asked if he had an alternative plan if Hill isn’t available, Miles said he thought there were guys that could step in and fill that void.
“I think there’s three at tailback besides [Hill],” Miles said. “I think Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard are as good as there is. You’ll also look at Terrence Magee before we get to anybody else, I promise.”
Being shorthanded in the running game will place additional pressure on senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger. In his first season as a starter, Mettenberger threw for 2,609 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Entering his second season as the starter, Mettenberger said he feels much more comfortable and confident.
“You know what to expect,” Mettenberger said. “Last year I had a lot of ups and downs in learning. I’ve learned a lot more getting comfortable with myself and with the team.”
Mettenberger also said he has also benefitted from working with new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. His teammate said he has already seen some of the improvements in his quarterback’s game.
“[The biggest improvement] has been his ability to throw us open,” Landry said. “It’s been his ability to be accurate and give us a ball that allows us to catch and run.”
The Tigers suffered most of their personnel losses on defense and only return four starters from last season’s unit.
“We lost eight guys,” Miles said. “The good news is we’ll be a talented football team, but youthful.”
Miles said he will have to count on returning veteran players like safety Craig Loston, linebacker Lamin Barrow and defensive tackle Anthony Johnson to anchor the defense.
Loston and Johnson were voted Pre-season First Team All-SEC performers by the media on Thursday while Barrow was voted on to the second team.