The transition between defensive end and defensive tackle is also a transition to a higher weight class, but gaining the pounds can end up being more difficult than just eating more food.
Sophomore Lewis Neal spent his freshman year as a defensive end for the Tigers, but after injuries at defensive tackle, he has transitioned to a position that is regularly home to players heavier than 300 pounds instead of a 255-pound frame like his.
“They came up to me on the third or fourth day of camp asked if I could do it for the team,” Neal said. “And I said I would because we were short at the time at defensive tackle. I’m just going to play hard; it’s getting me on the field.”
To get up to defensive end weight, Neal eats more than anyone on the team. He starts his day off with three servings of eggs, grits and sausage, cooks himself lunch, eats dinner at the football facility and then goes home and makes himself a second dinner.
“I’m trying to gain weight, but it’s not happening,” Neal said. “My whole life, it has always been hard for me to gain weight. I can keep my weight and lose weight, I just can’t gain it.
Redshirt freshmen battle for spot in DT rotation
Things can heat up when three friends are battling for the same position.
Redshirt freshmen Maquedius Bain, Greg Gilmore and Frank Herron came in as part of the same recruiting class, redshirted together and are now fighting to get playing time on the LSU defensive line.
“All three of us came in together as freshmen,” Bain said. “And we’ve all been working hard to try to get up to speed to be SEC football players.”
The three are looking to break into an already young rotation that includes sophomore Christian LaCouture as well as true freshmen Devon Godchaux and Trey Lealaimatafao. With junior Quentin Thomas fighting a biceps injury, major playing time is looking more likely every day.
“It’s a competition every day,” Bain said. “It’s like racing a motorcycle against someone who says their motorcycle is faster. Each and every day we try to throw shots at each other and push each other to be better.”
Dupre becoming more comfortable
Freshman wide receiver Malachi Dupre began the season with an injury but has since bounced back and is becoming more comfortable on the field.
The New Orleans native has caught nine passes in three games for 197 yards and four touchdowns. He’s averaging 21.9 yards per reception and had his first 100-yard game against Mississippi State. Fellow receiver Travin Dural said he has been looking out for Dupre as he adjusts to life as a college football player.
“We sleep in the same hotel room the day before each game,” Dural said. “Since he came in, I’ve taken him under my wing and tried to show him the ropes, show him what to do and what not to do.”
Dural and Dupre lead the Tigers receiving corps, combining for 9 of the 11 total receiving touchdowns and nearly 62 percent of LSU’s total receiving yards. Dural said he’s seen Dupre develop and become a more intelligent receiver since he first arrived at LSU.
“When he first started, you could see him second guessing himself on routes, and now the intelligence is there and he’s playing like he did back in high school,” Dural said. “After Mississippi State when he caught two touchdowns and got over 100 yards, his confidence went way up.”
You can reach Michael Haarala on Twitter @haarala_TDR.