After 130 plays in the LSU football team’s second spring scrimmage Saturday, coach Les Miles can’t yet discern who will be lining up under center for the Tigers in the fall.
But as the two-quarterback competition unfolds, the player who took the most snaps at the position last season had the better outing, Miles said.
“Today, [junior Anthony] Jennings probably was just a little bit more productive overall,” Miles said.
While he didn’t give specifics on yardage, Miles said Jennings tossed two touchdowns in a practice that was eventually moved indoors due to an afternoon thunderstorm. Miles said Jennings was “crisp with his passes” on a day where the defense bested the offense.
Miles said sophomore Brandon Harris flashed his ability in a few spots, contending the Bossier City, Louisiana, native has more capability than what he showed today.
More than just an initial eye test and statistics, Miles said film may tell the difference in who is making the biggest leap in a competitive quarterback battle.
“Statistically, I’m not really familiar [with Harris’ numbers], nor do I really need to be,” Miles said. “[He] made some really big plays both with his feet and his hands with throws. Still, [he was] not as productive. When you get to the film, when you rotate guys, you wonder, ‘Was the route exactly the way it was supposed to be? Do we have a protection issue? Did he have to scramble.’ All those pieces you put together once you get to film study.
“He is more capable than what he showed today.”
The story of the day, though, was the defense, which Miles said is “a little ahead of the offense” at this point in the offseason under new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.
Miles loves the speed his newly-directed defense is showing and sees an interesting battle brewing at one cornerback spot, a position vacated by NFL Draft-bound Jalen Collins.
Sophomore Ed Paris, who Miles called “night and day better” from last season, and freshman Kevin Tolliver are the likely candidates to replace Collins.
“There’s similarities between the two,” Miles said. “They’re both very physical, very tough guys. Both have great speed and ball skills. We’ll be fine there at corner.”
You can reach James Bewers on Twitter @JamesBewers_TDR