The quarterback position for the 2009 LSU football team was anything but flashy.Quarterback Jordan Jefferson controlled the reins for the Tiger offense as a sophomore last season and averaged the second-fewest passing yards per game in the Southeastern Conference at 178.5 yards per game.Jefferson’s 16 touchdown passes were the second fewest in the SEC, but the St. Rose native took a more efficient approach to the offense last season, having the second-highest completion percentage (62.1 percent) and throwing the third-fewest interceptions (6).He started two games during his freshman season and 11 games during his sophomore season and has now entered spring practice as a junior more confident and experienced.”His maturity is taking leaps and bounds as far as taking command in the huddle,” said junior guard Josh Dworaczyk.Jefferson agreed he’s ready to be a veteran on LSU’s squad with a full season under his belt.”I’ve got to lead the team,” Jefferson said. “I have to take control of the offense, manage the offense and make sure everything is up to par.”And up to par for past LSU teams has meant putting up big offensive numbers.
The Tigers racked up huge offensive statistics during LSU’s recent national championship seasons in 2003 and 2007. The 2003 team averaged 33.9 points per game and 418.4 yards per game, while the 2007 team averaged 38.6 points per game and 454.4 yards per game.That’s a far cry from the 24.8 points per game and the 304.5 yards per game the Tigers averaged last season.LSU coach Les Miles realizes the offense struggled last season and is making strides in the spring to improve Jefferson’s performance.”That’s a spot where we have to be better,” Miles said. “He’s seeing the position better than he has, and I think he’ll give us much better quarterback play.”Jefferson was sacked 37 times last season for a loss of 255 yards.Miles said Jefferson needs to learn to throw the ball away in order to avoid sacks, which will shorten the field for the Tigers and open up the playbook for more rushing plays.”If he throws the ball away as much as he can, we’ll add to the rushing totals with not as many negative plays,” Miles said.Jefferson’s receiving corps will look a little different next season.Not only have former seniors Brandon LaFell, Chris Mitchell and R.J. Jackson moved on, but sophomore Russell Shepard has moved from the quarterback position to wide receiver.The triple-threat from Houston lined up as quarterback, wide receiver and running back during his freshman season.Junior quarterback Jarrett Lee said Shepard is capable of making huge plays at many positions, and Shepard’s move to wide receiver is a testament to his desire to help the team win.”He’s a great athlete,” Lee said. “He just wants to help the team out any way he can.”Miles believes Jefferson can get Shepard, senior Terrence Toliver, sophomore Rueben Randle and the other receivers the ball and raise the production of the passing offense.”These next two years will be fun with him,” Miles said. “I think he’ll give us the type of quarterback play we need.”—————Contact Jarred LeBlanc at [email protected]