LSU football coach Les Miles may have seen some rustiness in the Tigers’ first practice after a 10-day spring break, but that didn’t mean the energy level was absent.
In fact, practice got testy during LSU’s popular Big Cat Drill, where players try to outmuscle each other after colliding from a three-point stance.
But even a little tension between sophomore defensive end Deondre Clark and junior offensive tackle Jevonte Domond won’t break the Tigers’ focus as they prepare for National L-Club Spring Game on Saturday, which comes at a different time than usual.
“Historically, we were always done well before this [point in the year],” Miles said. “We start a week earlier and be done before spring break. The difference is, when you hire a new defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, you have some change. You like to give them as much time as they need to answer some questions about themselves and have them see our players.”
While the Tigers are in uncharted territory with defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron directing the defense, the talk Saturday will surround which familiar face will direct the offense on the field.
Both junior Anthony Jennings and sophomore Brandon Harris have had solid spring practices at quarterback, said Miles, who gave the edge to Jennings in at least two of the three spring scrimmages.
But Harris stole the show in last year’s spring game, tossing three touchdowns on 195 yards passing to match 77 yards and another touchdown rushing. With Jennings throwing two interceptions in last year’s contest, some may have thought Harris had the job won, but Jennings’ experience and playbook knowledge won out in the fall.
Miles never thought Harris became overconfident based on his performance in the spring game but knew his young quarterback had to mature as a player.
“He felt that he was capable, which is just what you want him to feel, and he is,” Miles said. “I don’t think that he was a guy that was overconfident, not prepared or taking [things] for granted. That’s not Brandon Harris.”
Miles’ goals for his quarterbacks in the spring game, though, aren’t necessarily different from what he wanted in fall. Miles hasn’t formally decided how he will split the first team reps between Harris and Jennings but contended it will be “pretty even.”
“Just run the team,” Miles said of his quarterbacks. “Use the tools at hand. Run the offense for us. Let it work. Take care of the ball and move it aggressively.”
It won’t be just the quarterbacks who are looking to impress the coaching staff. Intriguing battles at offensive line, cornerback and defensive end are all taking shape, but Miles won’t say that a spot can be won just based on the spring game.
“[Players] can affirm the spot that they have,” Miles said. “They can make play that allows that coach to say, ‘He needs to make that play on Saturdays.’ To me, that’s making the team, but it’s really for those guys that have already made an impression that just need to confirm it.”