From practice dummy to team leader, just like that.
As the LSU football team made its BCS push in 2011, then-true freshman receiver Jarvis Landry toiled against the starting defense week after week. It’s not a glamorous job by any means, but the practice squad does have its benefits.
That’s not to say he was unknown coming into this season’s camp, though. Anyone who took in the Tigers’ matchup against Auburn last season, when Landry waylaid a War Eagle kickoff returner, can attest to that.
He spent a year refining his work ethic, developing chemistry with junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger and flexing his muscles on special teams. Landry plugged away and it’s paid off.
LSU coach Les Miles named Landry the offensive captain for Saturday’s matchup with Washington, in only the second game of what’s supposed to be Landry’s breakout season.
“It’s interesting [with] young guys — leadership is something that has to be earned,” Miles said. “… Everybody on our team has a real respect for Jarvis Landry.”
Landry said it was an honor to be appointed captain, especially when taking into account his relative lack of experience. In 14 games last year, he started once and caught just four balls all season.
For Miles, practice mentality and production are the main criteria when considering the captain credential.
Miles said Landry “[has] a blast” on the practice field, and it seems to rub off on his teammates.
“It’s awesome to watch a guy who loves the game as much as he does,” Mettenberger said. “He goes out there every day to have fun.”
He’s also not one to back down from a challenge.
Landry was being recruited by LSU when he met fellow sophomore receiver Odell Beckham Jr. at a 7-on-7 tournament. They quickly hit it off, and when Beckham said they should attend the same school, Landry agreed.
“When we’re [at practice], it’s kind of competitive,” Landry said. “He’s one of the reasons I came, just to compete with him.”
He fell behind from the start. Landry broke his foot before the start of 2011’s fall practice, hampering him through camp.
Beckham pulled ahead and did it all for the Tigers as a freshman last season, catching 41 passes while returning punts and kicks. But Landry eventually found his niche.
En route to 11 special teams tackles, he became known for his jarring hits. On a third-quarter kickoff in the Auburn contest, Landry streaked between the hashes, deftly sidestepped Onterio McCalebb’s lead blocker and promptly flattened the planting returner.
It took many by surprise, but Landry said it’s a knack he’s been playing with his whole life.
“He has a defensive mindset in a receiver’s body … so he’s more aggressive with everything he does,” Beckham said.
With Mettenberger behind center, Landry doubled his 2011 offensive production in the team’s first game against North Texas, reeling in 8 catches. He led the team with 82 yards, 33 of them coming on a ball that Mettenberger beautifully placed over Landry’s left shoulder.
That chemistry they displayed was partly a product of their extended time together mimicking the offense du jour last season.
“That’s the kind of thing I liked about the situation,” Landry said. “I had the opportunity to work with who would be the starting quarterback and I think that was a big deal coming into this fall.”
As the unit’s leader, Landry knows his offense’s first game was not perfect. He said the Tigers could tighten up on momentum-killing penalties.
“Things like that we can work on as we come into Washington week and that can help us and be successful and more positive on offense,” Landry said.
