LSU Tigers: Nic Jacobs
BATON ROUGE, La. -- There are some unknown variables when trying to figure out where true freshmen might play a big role on a team.
Take LSU right tackle Vadal Alexander. The 2012 signee became a true freshman starter at right tackle halfway through the season, something nobody saw coming. But when left tackle Chris Faulk suffered a season-ending knee injury, it opened the door for Alexander to move into the lineup, and he took the job and ran with it after another veteran starting tackle, Alex Hurst, left the team.
Similarly, with a veteran stable of running backs returning, few saw true freshman Jeremy Hill emerging as a primary running back for LSU this year. Yet, it took only one injury -- to original starter Alfred Blue -- to get Hill the break he needed to start getting carries and eventually become the starter and the Tigers' leading rusher.
Take LSU right tackle Vadal Alexander. The 2012 signee became a true freshman starter at right tackle halfway through the season, something nobody saw coming. But when left tackle Chris Faulk suffered a season-ending knee injury, it opened the door for Alexander to move into the lineup, and he took the job and ran with it after another veteran starting tackle, Alex Hurst, left the team.
Similarly, with a veteran stable of running backs returning, few saw true freshman Jeremy Hill emerging as a primary running back for LSU this year. Yet, it took only one injury -- to original starter Alfred Blue -- to get Hill the break he needed to start getting carries and eventually become the starter and the Tigers' leading rusher.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU is short on numbers at tight end, but the Tigers took a step in rectifying that situation Wednesday.
Logan Stokes, a three-star tight end from Northeast Mississippi Community College, signed with LSU on junior college signing day. He's the only junior college player expected to sign with the Tigers after wide receiver Quantavius Leslie failed to qualify.
Stokes is likely one of just three tight ends expected to return next season. Starter Chase Clement is a senior and sophomore Nic Jacobs was suspended from the team late in the year and hasn't played since early November. When talking about the future of the position, Stokes mentioned returning reserves Travis Dickson and Dillon Gordon, but not Jacobs.
Logan Stokes, a three-star tight end from Northeast Mississippi Community College, signed with LSU on junior college signing day. He's the only junior college player expected to sign with the Tigers after wide receiver Quantavius Leslie failed to qualify.
Stokes is likely one of just three tight ends expected to return next season. Starter Chase Clement is a senior and sophomore Nic Jacobs was suspended from the team late in the year and hasn't played since early November. When talking about the future of the position, Stokes mentioned returning reserves Travis Dickson and Dillon Gordon, but not Jacobs.
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Logan Stokes won't drop ball on Tigers 
December, 19, 2012
12/19/12
8:00
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By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Logan Stokes wanted to clear up a misconception about him on the eve of his signing with LSU.
"In my first game in junior college, I made catches but I had to learn how to block," said the sophomore at Northeast Mississippi Community College, who will sign with the Tigers on Wednesday morning before having an informal evening ceremony with teammate Nick Thomason. Stokes said Thomason will sign with Louisiana Tech.
Stokes, a converted high school defensive end, is the only player expected to sign with LSU during the junior college signing period today. Quantavius Leslie, a wide receiver committed to LSU, did not graduate from Hinds Junior College and must return to junior college for the spring semester.
"In my first game in junior college, I made catches but I had to learn how to block," said the sophomore at Northeast Mississippi Community College, who will sign with the Tigers on Wednesday morning before having an informal evening ceremony with teammate Nick Thomason. Stokes said Thomason will sign with Louisiana Tech.
Stokes, a converted high school defensive end, is the only player expected to sign with LSU during the junior college signing period today. Quantavius Leslie, a wide receiver committed to LSU, did not graduate from Hinds Junior College and must return to junior college for the spring semester.
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Countdown to Signing Day: Logan Stokes
December, 14, 2012
12/14/12
8:00
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By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
To gear up for 2013 national signing day, GeauxTigerNation's Gary Laney will break down every commitment in the Tigers' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: TE Logan Stokes, Muscle Shoals, Ala./Northeast Mississippi CC
Committed: May 28, 2012
- Logan Stokes
- Tight end H (JC)
- 2013
- Committed: LSU
Committed: May 28, 2012
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Countdown to signing day: Desean Smith
December, 12, 2012
12/12/12
8:11
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By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
To gear up for 2013 national signing day, GeauxTigerNation's Gary Laney will break down every commitment in the Tigers' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: TE Desean Smith, Lake Charles, La./Barbe, 6-4, 230
Committed: July 2, 2012
Vitals: TE Desean Smith, Lake Charles, La./Barbe, 6-4, 230
Committed: July 2, 2012
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Desean Smith liked Nic Jacobs' wrinkle
November, 4, 2012
11/04/12
6:48
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By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE -- Desean Smith has been committed to play for LSU since July, but he still walked away from his visit to Baton Rouge for the Tigers' 21-17 loss Saturday to Alabama feeling better about his future school.
"I got to talk to [LSU tight ends coach Steve Ensminger] at the end and I told him I liked the way they used the tight ends," Smith said. "He said they liked it too and they were going to use it more."
Reserve tight end Nic Jacobs caught just two passes for 15 yards in the game, but LSU added the wrinkle of using him split wide, giving the Tigers the big, deep threat they lack at wide receiver. It was a wrinkle LSU had shown on a couple of plays this season, but it became a common tactic against the Crimson Tide.
"I got to talk to [LSU tight ends coach Steve Ensminger] at the end and I told him I liked the way they used the tight ends," Smith said. "He said they liked it too and they were going to use it more."
Reserve tight end Nic Jacobs caught just two passes for 15 yards in the game, but LSU added the wrinkle of using him split wide, giving the Tigers the big, deep threat they lack at wide receiver. It was a wrinkle LSU had shown on a couple of plays this season, but it became a common tactic against the Crimson Tide.
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Grading LSU offense: Passing game lags
October, 25, 2012
10/25/12
10:14
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By
David Helman | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU played through two-thirds of the season before finally getting a break, but the bye week has arrived. It's safe to say the offense hasn't been the juggernaut fans were hoping to see in 2012, but it's been good enough to allow the Tigers to control their own destiny with two top-11 teams coming to Death Valley during the next two weeks.
Defensive grades come Friday. For now, this is how the LSU offense grades out heading during the off week.
QUARTERBACK
Defensive grades come Friday. For now, this is how the LSU offense grades out heading during the off week.
QUARTERBACK
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Minimal impact from LSU losses ... for now
September, 12, 2012
9/12/12
1:20
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By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- The loss of five players to injuries and, presumably, academics won't have a major impact on LSU's football season.
Not yet, at least.
LSU coach Les Miles said Wednesday in the SEC teleconference that four players -- linebackers Tahj Jones and D.J. Welter, tight end Tyler Edwards and offensive lineman Evan Washington -- won't play this season. Miles would not say why, but has earlier noted that Jones was going through an academic appeal.
He also announced that defensive end Jordan Allen was lost for the season because of ACL surgery.
While that may seem like a lot of attrition to be announced at once, the reality is, it's either been dealt with already or is only an issue for players deep on the depth chart.
Jones is the one player among the five who was a starter. But like Welter, Edwards and Washington, Jones has not dressed for a game this season and most have started working under the assumption that Luke Munice had taken his place as the starting strong-side linebacker for the season. Wednesday's announcement just confirmed that. The loss of Jones, a junior, and Welter, a sophomore, means all of LSU's backup linebackers now are true freshmen.
That would be more of the problem had the 2012 linebacker recruiting class, six players strong, not been considered by Miles to be the strongest linebacker class recruited by LSU in his tenure. So far, true freshmen Kwon Alexander and Deion Jones have played well in reserve roles. Where it could be a problem is if injuries hit the veteran starting trio of Kevin Minter, Lamin Barrow and Muncie, forcing the true freshmen to play bigger roles than they might be ready for.
It's a similar situation at tight end and defensive end. Edwards' role as a primarily blocking tight end behind starter Chase Clement has been replaced by sophomores Nic Jacobs and Travis Dickson and freshman Dillon Gordon. But Edwards is a senior, so his experience will be missed, especially if Clement, also a senior, goes down. Allen was far down the depth chart at defensive end, but his loss would be felt at the position only if the Tigers suffer attrition ahead of him at what is a deep position.
Allen was injured covering a kickoff, an area where the Tigers will have to find a replacement.
Washington, a reserve sophomore who has yet to play in a game, is the second offensive lineman lost for the season after Chris Faulk's knee injury sidelined him last week. With Josh Dworaczyk starting at left tackle, LSU is perhaps eight deep with game-ready offensive linemen. True freshman tackle Vadal Alexander was mentioned as a possible starter after Faulk's loss and coaches have been pleased with the progress of second-team center Elliott Porter.
In last week's win over Washington, Trai Turner got snaps at guard when starter La'el Collins went down with a minor injury.
The losses announced Wednesday pushed the total number of veterans from LSU's spring roster that have been lost for the season to 11. Previous to Wednesday's five, Faulk suffered his injury, Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the team, offensive lineman Corey White did not return to the team for August camp and defensive backs Ronnie Vinson, Sam Gibson and David Jenkins all transferred to other schools after the spring.
Not yet, at least.
[+] Enlarge
Joe Murphy/Getty ImagesLB Tahj Jones (58) has been declared academically ineligible for the year.
Joe Murphy/Getty ImagesLB Tahj Jones (58) has been declared academically ineligible for the year.He also announced that defensive end Jordan Allen was lost for the season because of ACL surgery.
While that may seem like a lot of attrition to be announced at once, the reality is, it's either been dealt with already or is only an issue for players deep on the depth chart.
Jones is the one player among the five who was a starter. But like Welter, Edwards and Washington, Jones has not dressed for a game this season and most have started working under the assumption that Luke Munice had taken his place as the starting strong-side linebacker for the season. Wednesday's announcement just confirmed that. The loss of Jones, a junior, and Welter, a sophomore, means all of LSU's backup linebackers now are true freshmen.
That would be more of the problem had the 2012 linebacker recruiting class, six players strong, not been considered by Miles to be the strongest linebacker class recruited by LSU in his tenure. So far, true freshmen Kwon Alexander and Deion Jones have played well in reserve roles. Where it could be a problem is if injuries hit the veteran starting trio of Kevin Minter, Lamin Barrow and Muncie, forcing the true freshmen to play bigger roles than they might be ready for.
It's a similar situation at tight end and defensive end. Edwards' role as a primarily blocking tight end behind starter Chase Clement has been replaced by sophomores Nic Jacobs and Travis Dickson and freshman Dillon Gordon. But Edwards is a senior, so his experience will be missed, especially if Clement, also a senior, goes down. Allen was far down the depth chart at defensive end, but his loss would be felt at the position only if the Tigers suffer attrition ahead of him at what is a deep position.
Allen was injured covering a kickoff, an area where the Tigers will have to find a replacement.
Washington, a reserve sophomore who has yet to play in a game, is the second offensive lineman lost for the season after Chris Faulk's knee injury sidelined him last week. With Josh Dworaczyk starting at left tackle, LSU is perhaps eight deep with game-ready offensive linemen. True freshman tackle Vadal Alexander was mentioned as a possible starter after Faulk's loss and coaches have been pleased with the progress of second-team center Elliott Porter.
In last week's win over Washington, Trai Turner got snaps at guard when starter La'el Collins went down with a minor injury.
The losses announced Wednesday pushed the total number of veterans from LSU's spring roster that have been lost for the season to 11. Previous to Wednesday's five, Faulk suffered his injury, Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the team, offensive lineman Corey White did not return to the team for August camp and defensive backs Ronnie Vinson, Sam Gibson and David Jenkins all transferred to other schools after the spring.
BATON ROUGE, La. - Depending how you look at it, LSU's August camp ended on Aug. 16 with the last scrimmage before the start of the fall semester, or on Aug. 21, with the last scrimmage before the Tigers shifted their focus to preparations for the Sept. 1 season opener against North Texas.
Either way, camp is over and the question now is who emerged from camp as the Tigers to look for in 2012.
With the caveat that the media -- and the public in general -- did not see much of the work, here's our best guess at how the Tigers will line up, position by position:
Either way, camp is over and the question now is who emerged from camp as the Tigers to look for in 2012.
With the caveat that the media -- and the public in general -- did not see much of the work, here's our best guess at how the Tigers will line up, position by position:
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Zach Mettenberger threw for five touchdown passes Thursday night in LSU's second scrimmage of August camp.
But head coach Les Miles insisted it was the defense that carried the day in the 120-play scrimmage held inside Tiger Stadium.
"We had about five drives that started in the red zone, so there were a number of opportunities for us to score," Miles said. "I think the defense probably won the day."
But head coach Les Miles insisted it was the defense that carried the day in the 120-play scrimmage held inside Tiger Stadium.
"We had about five drives that started in the red zone, so there were a number of opportunities for us to score," Miles said. "I think the defense probably won the day."
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Fall practice report: Day 2 (morning)
August, 3, 2012
8/03/12
12:23
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By
David Helman | ESPN.com
Media access lasted a mere 12 minutes on the morning of LSU's second fall practice -- which isn't necessarily a bad thing, given the 90-degree heat.
A few things changed, but things for the most part stayed the same as the Tigers underwent position drills and warmups ahead of the in-depth practice.
Notables: Defensive end Barkevious Mingo was still the only player in a no-contact jersey, although the junior assured me Thursday he'll be available to go full speed once the team breaks out the pads.
A few things changed, but things for the most part stayed the same as the Tigers underwent position drills and warmups ahead of the in-depth practice.
Notables: Defensive end Barkevious Mingo was still the only player in a no-contact jersey, although the junior assured me Thursday he'll be available to go full speed once the team breaks out the pads.
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GeauxTigerNation writers David Helman and Gary Laney break down the competitions, issues and talking points of LSU's August camp. Players report to campus Aug. 1 and we'll have a preview segment every weekday in July leading up to the day the players report:
Chase Clement moved from defensive end to tight end for LSU after his freshman season in 2009 and, in short order, made an impact as a blocker.
As a sophomore in 2008, he started eight of LSU's 13 games but only caught two passes. A season ago, he upped that total to seven passes, including his first career touchdown.
Chase Clement moved from defensive end to tight end for LSU after his freshman season in 2009 and, in short order, made an impact as a blocker.
As a sophomore in 2008, he started eight of LSU's 13 games but only caught two passes. A season ago, he upped that total to seven passes, including his first career touchdown.
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Tigers hope to utilize tight ends more
April, 6, 2012
4/06/12
10:17
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By
David Helman | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE -- The lack of production from tight ends in LSU's offense has created constant consternation for Tigers fans for quite some time.
Even the addition of Zach Mettenberger into a more pass-happy attack doesn't seem to have changed that reality.
Yes, it was a glorified spring scrimmage. And yes, most of his production came against the Tiger's second string secondary. But Mettenberger's 272 yard performance in last week's spring game was a passing bonanza LSU fans haven't seen since JaMarcus Russell left town.
Even the addition of Zach Mettenberger into a more pass-happy attack doesn't seem to have changed that reality.
Yes, it was a glorified spring scrimmage. And yes, most of his production came against the Tiger's second string secondary. But Mettenberger's 272 yard performance in last week's spring game was a passing bonanza LSU fans haven't seen since JaMarcus Russell left town.
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ABOUT GEAUX TIGER NATION
Gary Laney
Gary Laney joined ESPN.com in 2012 after spending a year and a half as online sports editor of the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate. Before that, he covered LSU sports for the Advocate. He has also been the sports editor at the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and covered McNeese State athletics for the Lake Charles (La.) American Press. Laney currently lives in Baton Rouge. Email him at glaneyespn@gmail.com