Garrett learns playbook, gets in shape
LSU sophomore linebacker Clifton Garrett spent most of the season on the bench last year for the first time in his career, but he said the experience was beneficial.
The Plainfield, Illinois native said the biggest difficulty he faced was learning a new playbook. Garrett learned his playbook in high school in one sitting, but it took him the whole season to learn the schemes and terminology LSU uses.
“Towards the end of the season I was still a little bit confused,” Garrett said. “I never really got the whole scheme down. This year when [defensive coordinator Kevin Steele] got here, we got a chance to go over the new stuff it started clicking to me.”
The former five-star prospect also spent the season getting in shape after arriving on campus carrying more weight than usual. Garrett reported to Baton Rouge at 248 pounds after he was unable to train following a surgery to repair a torn labrum in January 2014. But he said strength and conditioning coordinator Tommy Moffitt has him in the best shape of his life at 233 pounds.
“I didn’t get a chance to do a lot of running during the offseason because I had the shoulder surgery,” Garrett said. “I was definitely out of shape when I got here … Coach Moffitt has been doing a great job of getting me prepared and getting reading for the season, [now] it’s just staying in the playbook and making sure my grades are alright.”
Brumfield
The LSU football team lost one of the best offensive tackle in college football and a consensus first-round pick in the impending NFL Draft, but redshirt freshman offensive lineman Garrett Brumfield said the offensive line won’t miss a beat.
Senior offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins is expected to take Collins’ spot protecting junior quarterback Anthony Jennings’ blind spot, with Brumfield taking over at right guard. The Baton Rouge native played mostly tackle in high school, but already has experience starting at guard.
“I played guard my sophomore year in high school, [then] played tackle my junior and senior years,” Brumfield said. “With my height and build I knew I would be a guard wherever I went.”
Brumfield said he is holding his own at guard with the guidance of his good friend, Collins. The duo have been friends since high school, and Collins continues to mentor while he prepares for the NFL.
“La’el, he has taught me a lot,” Brumfield said. “Before I came here, La’el was a guy that was right here from Baton Rouge. We have been pretty good friends since I have been in eighth or ninth grade … He’s a hard worker and that’s something I really look up to.”