An LSU tradition is in jeopardy. The final practice session of the season — traditionally the spring game — has been reduced to a glorified public scrimmage.
But senior defensive tackle Kyle Williams will lead the “Unity Council” — a group of 13 upperclassmen — in an effort tomorrow to save some semblance of the tradition.
Williams and his teammates approached LSU coach Les Miles about the issue after the Tigers’ 13th practice session Tuesday at the Charles McClendon practice facility. But Miles deferred the issue until Wednesday afternoon. The Tigers will practice again Thursday before closing spring drills Saturday with the scrimmage.
“We’re going to talk to him to see if we can get some form of game,” Williams said. “We’ll do what’s best for the team — what he thinks and what we think. We’re going to be the middle man to relay what the whole team is thinking to coach Miles.”
The annual steak and beans dinner that former LSU coach Nick Saban started when he arrived in 2000 will not be an issue of debate, Williams said. Under that tradition, the winning team ate steak, while the losing team suffered with an all-beans entree.
“We’ll leave that one out,” Williams said. “I’ve been on the short end of that stick a couple of times.”
 
Getting physical
The spring drills have been more intense with Miles at the helm compared to Saban, Williams said. The team competes in one “live” period with full contact for five minutes every week.
“I think we’re going to have a good bit of contact,” Williams said. “But it’s not going to be anything where we get all banged up. There’s contact in everything we do.
The offensive line continues making strides in every practice session, Williams said. He mentioned junior offensive tackle Peter Dyakowski as one of the most improved players on the unit.
“A lot of times you’re trying to build continuity in the spring, and it seems like these guys already have it,” Williams said. “They’re not really having to come along. They’re just picking up where they left off.
“They come out every day with the same mindset — to get something done. They’ve been doing well all spring. I think Peter Dyakowski’s made some strides. He’s going to be able to help us out a lot this year.”
 
Moving along
The transition from weight room workouts to contact drills in spring practice has gone off without a hitch, Williams said.
“I think the new part wore off a couple of weeks into [spring practice],” Williams said. “When these guys got here they made a point to build a relationship with us. They came in and they met with us. We started building a relationship then. These are our coaches. It feels like these guys have been here for a while.”
The defensive unit also progresses toward learning the new system each day, Williams said. The defensive line seems to be a little more ahead of the defensive backs and linebackers.
“Everyone’s doing well picking it up and knowing exactly what they’re doing so they can get out there and get after the ball,” Williams said.
Senior Cameron Vaughn is LSU’s only returning starter at linebacker. He said he leads the younger players — Ali Highsmith, E.J. Kuale and Kenny Hollis — by example on the field.
“I’m trying to step up to help these other guys with their reads and everything,” Vaughn said. “I’ll be vocal sometimes when I feel it’s necessary, but most of the times I’m not.”
 
Spring scrimmage notes
LSU’s final spring scrimmage is set for Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in Tiger Stadium. The scrimmage is open to the public. Student tickets are $3 but will be $10 on Saturday at the LSU ticket office.
 
Injuries
Offensive lineman Herman Johnson was spotted on a trainer’s cart outside Tiger Stadium Wednesday afternoon, while trainers appeared to be stabilizing his knee. The red-shirt freshman is LSU’s biggest man at 6-feet, 7-inches and 371 pounds.
Miles was not available to comment on Johnson’s condition.
“He hurt himself on a play,” Williams said. “I’m not sure what happened. I wasn’t in. But we definitely hope that he’s OK. We gathered up and said a prayer for him.”