New Faces In New Places For First Day of LSU Fall Practice
By Scotty Nola
College Football is officially back in action with the start of LSU Fall Practice today, and we all know who the starting running back will be. Since Leonard Fournette is the returning “go to guy” in the backfield, that is a good thing.
There are some other changes going on in the program though, and a few new faces have showed up at the Tigers practice facility.
Starting Quarterback:
For right now it’s Brandon Harris. For the first practice that is.
Well, for the portions of the first practice open to the media that is.
Brandon Harris has all the physical tools.
Sep 27, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) stiff arms New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Adaryan Jones (19) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
He is bigger, faster and has a much stronger arm than Anthony Jennings. He has been unable to win the starting in spite of Jennings lack of production.
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There is no telling if Harris was working with the first team as part of the fall out from Jennings suspension or if he is the man at QB for LSU moving forward.
LSU fans are hoping Harris puts it all together, with the talent on this years team good QB play could mean a spot in the 4 team playoff for the championship.
Talented transfer Danny Etling was also working at QB. He will be in the mix next year, but considering he has a mandatory redshirt this season if he is the best QB coming out of camp that isn’t necessarily a positive thing.
The Team is Healthy:
LB Lamar Louis wore a non contact jersey in practice because he is recovering from a minor injury but the rest of the team is ready to go. that includes Safety Corey Thompson.
Thompson has been the forgotten man in the LSU secondary after missing all of last year with a knee injury, but he was voted to the preseason All SEC Team before missing all that time.
If he is 100% and able to contribute, that will be a big help.
Freshmen Are All In:
The practices were divided between an early session for freshmen and a later session for the vets. 5 freshmen practiced with the vets: Arden Key, Donte Jackson, Kevin Tolliver, Xavier Lewis and Isaiah Washington.
Kevin Tolliver made waves the second he stepped on campus and is expected to fight for playing time early.
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Donte Jackson made some waves of his own when he posted a ridiculous 40 time in team testing this summer. LSU coaches are eager to see him turn that speed into production, expect to see him in games this fall.
Jul 9, 2014; Beaverton, OR, USA; Land Sharks cornerback Donte Jackson (4) returns an interception as Vapor Carbon wide receiver Christian Kirk (2) gives chase during Nike Football Camp. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes – USA TODAY Sports
Arden Key was one of the top recruits in last spring’s class, and a player many thought would contribute early if he could bulk up from the 220 pounds he played as a high school senior.
He showed up at camp weighing 240 and looking ripped.
Coach Miles took notice, saying, ““He’s lean and bigger and stronger than he was. He was maybe skinny before. He ain’t skinny any more. Big, tall, rangy, fast athlete. If he can develop that, he’ll play at a high level.”
If in fact Miles’ observation holds true, Tiger fans are looking at a very interesting year ahead in 2015………
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