As the LSU football team nears the end of its first week of fall practice, coach Les Miles said he is pleased with the team’s performance.
“The veteran players are paying attention to detail and made it through some taxing practices,” Miles said. “The young guys have caught some breaks with the weather and have practiced inside, but I feel they are in pretty good shape after completing some difficult runs after practice today.”
Senior running back Justin Vincent and junior running back Alley Broussard are coming off knee injuries, but both seemed to be comfortable Tuesday in footwork drills.
“Both of us stayed focus through rehab and we helped each other out as much as we could,” Vincent said. “I went to rehab twice a day, and I am putting everything on the line this year.”
Vincent said Wednesday’s practice was his best yet, although the team ran no-contact drills.
“I could have ran for 300 yards today,” Vincent said. “Alley and I rotated in with the starters, and we were gashing the defense. They weren’t touching me until five or six yards down the field.”
Junior fullback Jacob Hester also has a role in the backfield. Hester said he can deliver a nice counter if defenses only focus on Broussard and Vincent.
“All three of us are different running backs and bring something different to our team,” Hester said. “I will mostly block and catch some balls out of the backfield, but maybe I will get chance to get some carries as well. I have the ability to break some long runs.”
The other injury concerns are on the offensive line with sophomore Brett Helms (ankle) and junior Will Arnold (knee). The offensive line has to replace three starters from last season’s team.
“A healthy Brett Helms, in my opinion, is one of the best offensive lineman in the country,” Hester said. “Will Arnold also is a top offensive lineman. We also have guys like Peter Dyakowski and Ciron Black that are doing well in new roles.”
Vincent said he also thinks the offensive line is coming together and has the potential to resemble the 2004 offensive line.
“In the past, the offensive line has had guys rotating in and out, and it was hard to ever get a feel for where the holes were going to be,” Vincent said. “It seems like Dyakowski will be at tackle and Johnson will move inside, and they won’t be rotated a lot so they have a chance to gel. With young guys like Black stepping up as well, this has a chance to be a special group.”
The Tigers will finish the last day of split-squad practices today and will have a full-squad, semi-contact practice Friday. Freshmen and a few selected veterans have been participating in afternoon sessions.
Miles said several players have stood out in the afternoon practices.
“[Wide receiver] Chris Mitchell is making some solid receiving moves and is catching the ball extremely well,” Miles said.
Wide receiver Jared Mitchell, running back Charles Scott, offensive lineman Zhamal Thomas, and defensive backs Danny McCray and Troy Giddens also were mentioned as standouts from the afternoon practices.
The football team’s fan day is scheduled to begin Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on the south lawn of Tiger Stadium by the airplane memorial. Fans also can meet the soccer and volleyball teams, cheerleaders and the Mike the Tiger mascot.
The football team and coaching staff will be available for autographs at 2:30 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.
NOTES: Freshman cornerback Jai Eugene suffered a broken thumb in drills and will be in a hard cast for a couple of weeks. Miles said the injury is not serious, and Eugene will be able to play in a flexible, rubber cast when the season begins.
Sophomore Quinn Johnson moved from linebacker to fullback in the spring. Johnson played fullback in high school for West St. John. Miles said Johnson is better suited to play fullback at the college level.
“Quinn was always the hardest linebacker to block in practice last season, so I am excited he came over to our side of the ball,” Hester said.
Ole Miss transfer Tyson Andrus was made eligible by the NCAA Wednesday and reported to practice. Running backs Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy, defensive tackle Al Woods and offensive lineman Steven Singleton are still awaiting NCAA clearance for eligibility.
“We are keeping in close contact with these guys and progress is being made,” Miles said. “They are working out individually and shouldn’t have much trouble catching up with the other freshmen.”
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Contact Matt Vines at [email protected]