The LSU football team entered spring with many areas to address on both sides of the ball before the start of the 2014 football season.
Most notably, the Tigers hoped to fill gaps left by an offense, and quarterback Zach Mettenberger, which saw many entering the NFL draft after graduating.
The Tigers’ spring practice turned into a competition between sophomore Anthony Jennings and freshman Brandon Harris. The more experienced Jennings received most of the first-team reps throughout spring, but he struggled during the National L-Club Spring Game on April 5.
He completed 9-of-17 passes for 157 yards, one touchdown and a pair of interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.
Jennings’ uninspiring spring game performance gave Harris an opportunity to prove he could make an immediate change. Harris, who was one of only two true freshmen partaking in LSU’s 2014 spring practice, turned heads in the spring with his ability to elude the same pressure Jennings struggled against.
In the spring game, Harris led all rushers with 77 yards and a touchdown. He also found success through the air, compiling 195 yards and three passing scores. Despite Harris’ more impressive game, LSU coach Les Miles said he wanted more time to determine the starter.
“We’re going to let the competition continue and see how this thing plays out,” Miles said. “There’s some real optimism surrounding the [quarterback] position right now.”
Miles was also hoping to find replacements at other key skill positions this spring. Aside from Mettenberger, the Tigers lost his two favorite targets, wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, to the NFL draft.
To replace the pair of wideouts, LSU signed some of the nation’s top receiver prospect, including No. 1 receiver Malachi Dupre. But senior fullback Connor Neighbors wasn’t quick to give any praises to a player who is yet to practice.
“I don’t ever buy in to hype,” Neighbors said. “If you’re good, then you have to come in here and prove it like everyone else.”
Sophomore wide receiver Travin Dural certainly proved he was a viable option in the spring game. In the annual scrimmage, Dural had five catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Tigers in all categories.
Aside from Dural, it was the tight ends and backs that showed they could be reliable targets for whomever is the Tigers’ quarterback next fall. Sophomore tight end DeSean Smith and Neighbors both hauled in three passes and a touchdown reception. Senior running back Kenny Hilliard added a 42-yard reception, and tight ends Logan Stokes and Dillon Gordon both had catches of more than 20 yards.
Smith, whose 45 yards were second only to Dural’s 130, said the offense could be dangerous if the backs and tight ends remain a consistent presence in the passing game because it presents a variety of options downfield.
“Look at what it did having tight ends involved [in the spring game],” Smith said. “Dural had one-on-one coverage and wasn’t doubled down the field. It’s either cover the tight ends or cover Dural or whoever’s out there, so I think it could be hard for defenses.”
The defense was also searching for options this spring, especially up front after the departures of defensive tackles Anthony Johnson and Ego Ferguson to the 2014 NFL draft. After the conclusion of spring practice, it appears sophomore Christian LaCouture will man the middle of the Tigers’ defensive line.
“Competition brings out the best in everybody, and it’s the next man up here at LSU,” LaCouture said. “Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, you have to produce, and that’s my goal.”
LSU also had to replace senior defensive end Jordan Allen, who transferred to Arizona last Wednesday. But junior defensive end Danielle Hunter racked up two sacks in LSU’s spring game, supporting LaCouture’s claim of next man up.
“All that was going through my mind was focusing on either bringing [the quarterbacks] up in the pocket so the tackles can get the sack or communicating with my teammates to get to the quarterback,” Hunter said.
During spring practice, the linebackers experienced the most position shifts of the entire team. Sophomore Kendell Beckwith transitioned to linebacker after playing defensive end last season, and juniors Lamar Louis and Kwon Alexander switched to opposite sides of the unit.
According to Louis, the linebackers’ goal for next season is to lead the defense back to the upper echelon of collegiate defenses.
“If we’re just a top 20, top 15 defense, that’s a down year for LSU,” Louis said. “We have to get back to the top, and that’s the main thing we’re looking at.”