Good news for LSU Tigers:He is back…
LSU football: depth in the backfield, Garrett Nussmeier’s return, and other things
We explored some of the more significant issues pertaining to LSU football yesterday, including the ceiling for 2023 and Brian Kelly’s potential in the upcoming ten years.
We’ll address the remaining mailbag questions today, which are primarily concerned with the specifics of the program. Let’s get really geeky.
We discussed Nussmeier’s important decision to stay last week, and Kelly admitted that the guarantee that Nussmeier will receive practice reps with the first team helped him develop appropriately.
However, that is not the same as playing time. Despite Jayden Daniels being the obvious number one quarterback, Kelly frequently discusses having two starting quarterbacks. That probably won’t change unless Daniels has a great deal of difficulty.
Kelly has, however, a history of utilizing a number of quarterbacks. That he prefers real two-quarterback systems is a bit misleading, though. He only attempted to really rotate quarterbacks once while at Notre Dame, and that attempt against Texas in 2016 with Deshone Kizer and Malik Zaire was a complete disaster.
Nevertheless, he frequently has a backup quarterback in games. 2018 saw Ian Book enter the game for red zone plays after Brandon Wimbush started the first three games. Book took over the position permanently by Week 4. Kelly made several attempts in 2021. He started Jack Coan in most games and rotated Tyler Buchner in. Subsequently, Coan, Buchner, and Drew Pyne all had opportunities during the season, with Coan emerging victorious. Not to mention the occasions he’s just benched starters for extended periods of time due to poor performance.
To genuinely address the query, I imagine there are instances in which Nussmeier rotates in. Nussmeier will get opportunities to play, but I’d be very surprised if it’s ever a legitimate two-quarterback system (even though it looked good in the Citrus Bowl). For Notre Dame in 2021, Buchner completed 83 passes. Perhaps that is a reasonable guess for Nussmeier.
All of this is presuming Daniels continues to play well and stay healthy. Nussmier is the man to call if he is hurt or has difficulties.
I may be overreacting to the spring, but when I think of this, I immediately picture Javier Toviano at Nickel. Although he can still play cornerback, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back entered the spring game as an early enrollee and displayed physical dominance while playing safety. Like most teams, LSU has always used quick, vivacious nickel players like Jay Ward, Cordale Flott, and Kary Vincent. Toviano is large, quick, and has demonstrated remarkable tackling prowess. He might be able to significantly alter the dynamic within that group, even if he defeats Sage Ryan for the starting position.
Another is Alabama-born receiver Aaron Anderson. He’s a creator of plays; you set up screens and quick passes for him to get the ball into his hands.Malik Nabers is a complete No. 1 receiver, but he also possesses those skills, as evidenced by his dominating 163-yard Citrus Bowl performance. Brian Thomas is also a big, strong target. Having an Anderson-caliber player keep defenses guessing could be the next step for LSU’s offensive scheme.
For those who are unaware, let me quickly remind you that historically, the player who best embodies LSU’s values—such as leadership, character, and so forth—has been awarded the No. 18 jersey.
Reversing courseJosh Williams, a former walk-on who is now a starter, leaps out. One of the team’s smartest players, he’s the one LSU brings out for interviews most frequently to discuss the team as a whole as well as his play. He seems very logical.
Greg Brooks, a native of Louisiana, might be good after that. As a fifth-year SEC starter who emerged as a clear leader last season, the Arkansas transfer seems to have the team’s pulse better than anyone else. An additional defender might be Mekhi Wingo, an All-American. Although it’s not a talent honor, it does help when it’s a star player, and the staff never stops praising him as a player and a person.
Because I was so confident that LSU would be able to sign Louisiana native and Notre Dame running back Logan Diggs, I almost skipped this question. Diggs would probably finish with 821 yards on five yards per carry this season, making him LSU’s No. 1 or No. 2 back. Even so, it’s important to dissect the existing situation so that, in the event that Diggs shows up, you have a clearer picture.
Despite missing three games and having a small role to start the season, Williams emerged as the top player by the end of the fall season, leading the LSU backs with 119 touches. A true three-down back, he averages an amazing 5.47 yards per carry and is a strong receiver, physical runner, and excellent pass protector.
No one will be a true workhorse, though, with Kelly as head coach.As a situational power back, Noah Cain scored ten touchdowns the previous season. This spring, there has been discussion that he has changed his body, modified his running technique, and wants to be much more than just a power back.
Armoni Goodwin was the most gifted and explosive player, but he was forced to leave the game after just seven games due to a knee injury. He will undoubtedly have more chances to make big plays now that he is healthy. Not to mention John Emery, who is struggling with his studies once more. Like the previous season, if he returns, he’ll probably be a specialty big playback.
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