The “Corbello for Heisman” T-shirts are gone along with LSU’s starting place-kicker John Corbello. The popular phrase was coined after Corbello became the leading scorer for the Tigers, going 34-for-34 in extra points and 17-for-24 in field goals. He finished the season earning 85 points for the Tigers.
Freshmen Chris Jackson from John Curtis High School in River Ridge and Ryan Gaudet from Jesuit are fighting for this year’s starting kicker position.
Jackson said he has concentrated on consistently hitting field goals and making kickoffs high and deep in hopes of getting the start.
“There’s going to be a lot of pressure on us our first year, but I don’t think it’s anything we can’t handle,” Jackson said.
Senior Donnie Jones is returning as starting punter for the Tigers. Jones, a 2002 Second-Team All-Southeastern Conference selection, worked with Jackson and Gaudet throughout the summer.
“There’s a void at kicker losing John,” Jones said. “But we got two guys who are freshmen and I feel confident that whichever one is chosen will step up and do well. Both of the guys are great kickers, they really kick the ball well and make a lot of field goals.”
Jones said it will not be easy for either player to step in as a starter their first year on the team.
“I was glad I had a redshirt year but unfortunately for them they’re not going to have a redshirt year, they’re going to be thrown right into the mix,” Jones said. “It’s going be a different situation for them but I have full confidence.”
The special teams also lost Domanick Davis, a 2002 Second-Team All-SEC return specialist. Davis is currently LSU’s all-time record holder in yards on punt returns (1,126) and kickoff returns (2,168).
Replacing Davis at punt return will be Shyrone Carey and Devery Henderson. Carey saw some action last season as a running back while Henderson played at wide receiver.
Jones feels the speed of both Carey and Henderson will be an asset to the special teams.
“I can’t say more for Devery Henderson,” Jones said. “[He has] overall speed, [he’s a ] great athlete. Shyrone’s another guy who is going to be a great player for us. He’s got speed, he’s got moves. I really think he is going to come in and do a great job right away. It seems like he’s got a natural ability to do it.”
Carey said he is looking forward to working with special teams.
“The key to kick returning is working hard at practice to understand what cuts and weaves you have to make to make the big plays,” Carey said.