Coach Ed Orgeron stepped to podium for the first time of the fall on Sunday.
Orgeron quickly addressed the decision to close practice to the media, and said that it came down to installation of LSU’s offense and defense. However, Orgeron did say that he plans to reopen practices to the media on Aug. 21, and that it could be sooner if the team progresses fast enough.
“We have a lot of things we have to get done offensively,” Orgeron said. “Defensively, new guys going in and out. We wanted that time to just have us as a team. Now, if we feel like during camp that we have accomplished the things that we need to accomplish as far as installation, we finish the things we need to finish, we will have more individual to where we can let you in.”
The Tigers’ offense enters it’s first fall under the direction of new offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
“I’m excited to see Matt Canada continue on with this offense,” Orgeron said, “And put in the things he needs to put in in the next three weeks to have everything that he wants to be available for the his arsenal throughout the season.”
The coaching staff will also continue to evaluate the quarterback position throughout the fall. While senior Danny Etling is the outright leader at the position, Orgeron wants to get a look at incoming freshman Myles Brennan. Brennan, a four-star recruit from Mississippi, is reportedly around 200 pounds after coming to LSU in June at 182 pounds.
Orgeron said he is excited to see both quarterbacks throw, especially Etling, who is returning from offseason back surgery.
Brennan is apart of a freshman class that was ranked seventh in the country by 247sports.com, and one that Orgeron expects to compete for early playing time.
“I’m excited to see our outstanding freshman class,” Orgeron said. “We’ve seen a little bit of them in the summer, but now is the time to see them in an atmosphere where everybody is together, everybody is working, 11-on-11, competing. When we get our pads on we will see the guys who are ready to play SEC ball.”
Orgeron also discussed the staff’s plan during camp to integrate the freshman into practice, and make sure that players are able to get reps and develop. The team will use more walkthroughs, and practice with more than two offensive and defensive teams at a time. The team also has four scheduled scrimmages which will be used as preseason games.
The fall will give freshman who came to LSU in January another opportunity to display their talents. Most of the 2017 class – with the exception of defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin who is finishing course work – arrived in June, and worked with strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt throughout the summer.
“I really believe the guys that come in as mid-year graduates that they are like vets out there compared to the young guys,” Orgeron said. “And I’m so happy the NCAA allowed us to put freshman on scholarship during the summer so they can acclimated to the way we practice with Tommy Moffitt. You can see the guys growing together, gelling with their new teammates, guys making friends. I think they are getting used to the tempo.”
Along with the addition of new freshman, LSU will have the return of star pass rusher Arden Key. Key – who set LSU season sack record with 12 last year –left the team during the spring for personal reasons, and had shoulder surgery in June.
Orgeron said Key is not fully healthy yet and will be held out of practice, but that Key heals fast and is extraordinary human being.
“He brings some fire to the team when he is in there,” Orgeron said of Key, who is now 260 pounds. “We are just going to have to make sure we don’t push him too fast.”
