LSU barely had a competent passing game during the first eight games of this season, much less a go-to receiver, but LSU sophomore receiver Jarvis Landry has helped make both points moot.
Since the calendar hit November, Landry is averaging seven catches for 82 yards per game as LSU has thrown for 250 or more yards against three straight Southeastern Conference opponents for the first time since 1989.
“The potential was there, and I know it was frustrating not showing it early in the season,” he said. “We had new guys working with each other trying to get that chemistry. Now, that progress is showing, especially with me and [LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger].”
Landry has proven progress in his ability to move the chains.
During the last three games, 11 of his 21 catches have gone for a first down — seven of them on third down — including two go-ahead touchdowns.
Mettenberger said Landry, who usually lines up as the slot receiver, is gifted with an especially adept spatial awareness.
“He’s not really the quickest guy out there, but he’s always reliable at carving out some room past the sticks,” Mettenberger said. “He has really great hands, and he’s probably only 5-foot-11, but plays bigger than that.”
Those hands have been a question mark at times this season, though.
Landry dropped two passes against Ole Miss and fumbled the ball after a 30-yard reception in the fourth quarter, part of a season-long issue with drops for the LSU receiving core.
Landry maintained those struggles have only sweetened the Tigers’ recent success through the air.
“The coaching staff continues to trust us, and that says a lot,” the Convent, La., native said. After an All-SEC Freshman campaign, sophomore Odell Beckham Jr. was expected to be LSU’s most reliable receiving target this year.
Instead it has been Landry, his close friend and roommate, who has seemingly grabbed that mantle.
Both said there’s no rivalry for titles or notoriety, but there is a friendly competition.
“You can’t put a number or a label on our group of receivers as the main guy,” Beckham said. “That’s never been what we’re about, but Jarvis has definitely stepped into prime time.”
The spotlight may be getting brighter, but teammates say Landry earned their respect with his special teams dedication when he was a five-star recruit just trying to earn playing time.
He’s a gunner on punts and return kickoffs and is usually one of the first Tigers down the field on kickoff coverage — famously evidenced when he pummeled two Auburn kick returners last season.
“Special teams allows me to show my diversity,” Landry, who also played linebacker in high school, said. “You see guys like [former Tigers] Ron Brooks and Jacob Hester who played a primary position but showed out on special teams, they were my role models. It’s a trend here, and I’m adding on to it for the next man up.”
Landry awakened some echoes with an iconic moment of his own when he furiously ushered Beckham during another 89-yard punt return that vanquished Ole Miss.
“I was just following Jarvis; he was reeling me into motion up ahead,” Beckham said. “He was leading me to the end zone. It was an amazing experience being part of that with him, and it shows why he’s a leader.”
He wasn’t imitating Billy Cannon, but another decorated former Tiger in Patrick Peterson, whose windmill antics during Chad Jones’ similar punt-return score against Mississippi State in 2009 served as Landry’s template while he guided Beckham to paydirt.
“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to break that out,” Landry said.
