The LSU Football season is set to kick off on Sunday, Sept. 3 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Right off the bat, the Tigers will meet one of their toughest challenges of the season in the Florida State Seminoles.
There is a lot to look forward to for LSU as it enters its first game ranked at No. 5 in the preseason AP Poll Rankings. While returning stars Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Harold Perkins have contributed greatly to that current position, the freshman newcomers coming in could boost the team even more.
The incoming freshman class has wasted no time getting on the field and making noise. With the season about a week away, here are five freshman players that could see early playing time as soon as the season opener.
Kyle Parker
Parker was an early enrollee in January for LSU’s Class of 2023. He impressed in the spring season, putting his hard work to action in the spring game. With LSU’s talented receiver room lacking experience, players like Parker must step up in key roles. He’ll likely be a receiver to come off the slot.
Parker finished his senior season at Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas with 72 catches for 1,091 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He even had a 23-catch game for 341 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Javien Toviano
Toviano’s versatility was a huge factor in his spot as a top defensive back recruit in the Class of 2023. His versatility was also a huge reason why LSU aggressively recruited him. He came to campus as an early enrollee in January, almost immediately found multiple ways to get on the field and impress, as expected.
Toviano will most likely be a primary option at a nickel back position. The secondary has been an area that the Tigers dominate in the transfer portal. With more experienced players coming in, Toviano may have to wait to play his primary position of cornerback and safety, but he’s too talented to keep off the field.
Ka’Morreun Pimpton
Pimpton was a recruit in LSU’s Class of 2023 that the Tigers had to fight for. The long-time Vanderbilt commit flipped to LSU on Early Signing Day and arrived on campus this past summer. Once fall camp started, Pimpton showed off his athleticism and large catch radius, wowing many coaches on the staff.
Mason Taylor is the only returning scholarship tight end on the roster, and he made a huge impact as a true freshman last season. With Pimpton showing similar flashes of talent to Taylor, he could add to Taylor’s stellar catching game at tight end.
Pimpton was listed on On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-American team.
Lance Heard
Heard, a freshman from Monroe, Louisiana, comes from Neville High School, the same school as LSU starting left tackle, Will Campbell. Arguably, Heard’s potential is higher coming out of high school, so his freshman year success could be very similar to that of Campbell’s.
There’s a lot of buzz around Heard eventually getting starts at right tackle, bumping Emery Jones to right guard. Heard was listed on On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-American team along with Pimpton.
Ashton Stamps
Stamps has been running with the first team in practice as of late. While starting as a true freshman in the season opener may be unlikely, his practice with the starters can only mean he’ll be a priority option off the bench.
Stamps is a 6-foot, 188-pound freshman from Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana. While he primarily played corner at Rummel his senior season, he’s also able to drop back to safety or even nickel back. Stamps’ versatility combined with his experience with first team reps will allow him more opportunities to play.
