LSU’s season kicks off Sept. 3 against Wisconsin, and five days before the match up, the Tigers released their depth chart.
The Tigers return 17 starters total, but even with that much experience, there was still movement at different positions.
LSU coach Les Miles met with the media on Monday and spoke about the depth chart and injury updates.
FOURETTE BACK TO 100 PERCENT
When junior running back Leonard Fournette was dragged down by his teammate, junior linebacker Donnie Alexander, during practice, the entire team went silent.
“The music stopped,” Fournette said. “It was a crazy moment.”
Alexander pulled Fournette down by his jersey, causing him to injure his ankle and forcing him into a
walking boot.
Fournette was sidelined for a week of practice, but he’s back to “100
percent.”
“I’m good,” Fournette said. “It wasn’t nothing too serious. Donnie [Alexander] just pulled me from the back, and he fell on my ankle. It was nothing serious.”
Miles echoed the same sentiments and said his All-Southeastern Conference running back is “fine” and there is no issue with his health.
DIVINITY EARNS STARTING JOB AT OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
The Tigers listed a total of 16 true freshmen on their depth chart, with one of them earning a starting position.
Freshman linebacker Michael Divinity — who enrolled early in the spring — was listed as the starter at the “F” linebacker position in Dave Aranda’s new defense.
Divinity will “play a lot of football” this season, according to Miles.
“Michael Divinity is a big, strong, naturally gifted guy that can flat run and play hard,” Miles said. “He’s really a conscientious guy. He learns assignments very well and, again, works hard to maintain his abilities and improve.”
Senior defensive end Tashawn Bower was the presumed starter at the “F” linebacker position, but was penciled in on the depth chart behind sophomore outside linebacker Arden Key at the “Buck” linebacker spot.
LSU TO HAVE “QUALITY” OFFENSIVE TACKLES
LSU will have three new starting offensive linemen against Wisconsin on Saturday.
Sophomore offensive tackle Toby Weathersby and junior offensive lineman K.J. Malone get the starting nods at right and left tackles respectively, according to the depth chart LSU released Monday.
Malone takes the spot of sophomore offensive lineman Maea Teuhema, who started the spring game at left tackle.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive lineman missed the first few days of camp due to an ankle injury, but Miles said Teuhema is fine.
“Maea Teuhema is extremely healthy,” Miles said. “He’s practiced the last ten days and practiced very well. He’s not limited in any way and we’re ready to roll. The good news is it ensures that we will have real quality tackles.”
Miles didn’t expect Valentine would return to LSU
LSU’s defense received a gift early in fall camp with sophomore nose tackle Travonte Valentine.
Valentine was originally with LSU’s 2014 signing class, but was dismissed from the team last summer.
Miles was very candid in discussing what he told Valentine when he was booted from the team.
“I really suggested that he invest in himself,” Miles said. “And that he needs to make a change in his life for him, and really I did not necessarily see his return.”
Miles also said Valentine has done a “good job” in class and hasn’t missed one to date. The 6-foot-4, 356-pound defensive lineman had to take a summer intersession course in order to be eligible for the 2016 season.
Junior nose tackle Greg Gilmore was named the starting nose tackle for LSU’s matchup versus Wisconsin, but he is expected to rotate time with Gilmore.