It’s officially football season in Baton Rouge, as the LSU football team began fall practice Monday.
The “varsity” squad practiced in the morning, followed by an afternoon practice for freshmen and “selected veterans.”
LSU coach Les Miles said his team was “way ahead” of schedule after the afternoon session.
“We really didn’t miss a beat,” Miles said. “We put so much more in for our first practice than we did even a year ago. We’re really ahead.”
In addition to the progress LSU made Monday, Miles said he was pleased with the physical shape the players returned to practice in.
“The heaviest guy on our team made his sprint test and really didn’t gain all that much in percentage body fat,” Miles said.
GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
While Miles said he was impressed with the way the entire team practiced Monday, he was quick to credit the freshmen specifically.
“This freshman class is going to be really good class,” Miles said. “A number of guys stood out.”
Most notably, Miles said he was pleased with quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who he expects to contribute this season as a true freshman.
“I liked the way Jordan Jefferson, the freshman quarterback, learns,” Miles said. “He picks it up pretty quickly. He’s a long way away from being able to play, but he’s getting there.”
Miles also liked what he saw from the skill players who could surround Jefferson on LSU’s offense in next few years.
“Our receiving crew looked really good,” Miles said. “[Freshman receiver Tim] Molton made a nice adjustment on a very deep ball. [Freshman receiver] Deangelo Peterson is big, strong and physical, and he uses his hands well. And I liked [freshman receiver] Chris Tolliver.”
Freshman tight end Tyler Edwards also spent practice time at both tight end and fullback.
BAND OF BROTHERS
Two brothers, junior defensive end Rahim Alem and sophomore safety Chad Jones, could be among the players to watch on the Tigers’ defense this season.
While senior Curtis Taylor and junior Harry Coleman are the projected starting safeties, Miles said he expects Jones to see extended playing time.
“Those snaps that he’s not in the game are mistakes,” Miles said. “We have got to play him … don’t think that those mistakes will be made.”
Miles said Alem should also see more action than he did in 2007.
“When guys grow, get a little maturity about them, gain some size and strength … those things speak to their opportunities to be on the field more often,” Miles said. “Rahim is a really good example.”
INJURY REPORT
A few Tigers missed the first day of practice.
Miles said senior kicker Colt David missed practice with a twisted ankle.
“He was catching the football on the grassy field and twisted it,” Miles said. “I don’t know how long that’ll be.”
Sophomore receiver Ricky Dixon also sat out the first day, but Miles did not disclose the injury.
“Ricky did have a little issue – a medical issue – but nothing that’s terribly serious and not something that would cause him to miss multiple practices,” Miles said.
—-Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected]