LSU Tigers: Trai Turner
BATON ROUGE, La. -- With LSU's spring practice and the NFL draft done, who are the Tigers' top 10 players? Let's see.
1. LB Lamin Barrow: LSU had eight players drafted from its 2012 defense and Barrow, with 104 tackles last season, was more productive than many of those guys. A starter at weakside linebacker in 2012, he should end up as the Tigers' middle linebacker and defensive leader.
2. QB Zach Mettenberger: The senior had a good spring, throwing for big yards in touchdowns in all of the scrimmages while looking mostly comfortable in Cam Cameron's offense. LSU might lean on its passing game more this season.
1. LB Lamin Barrow: LSU had eight players drafted from its 2012 defense and Barrow, with 104 tackles last season, was more productive than many of those guys. A starter at weakside linebacker in 2012, he should end up as the Tigers' middle linebacker and defensive leader.
2. QB Zach Mettenberger: The senior had a good spring, throwing for big yards in touchdowns in all of the scrimmages while looking mostly comfortable in Cam Cameron's offense. LSU might lean on its passing game more this season.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- So far, neither junior college transfer in LSU's 2013 signing class has become the obvious starter at their positions.
On the other hand, it looks like the six freshmen who entered college early might already be reaping some rewards from their early entry.
Here is a look at how LSU's eight new players have done after three weeks of spring.
On the other hand, it looks like the six freshmen who entered college early might already be reaping some rewards from their early entry.
Here is a look at how LSU's eight new players have done after three weeks of spring.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU heads into spring break nine practices into its 15-practice spring practice schedule. With LSU taking a week off, here are the biggest developments of the first three weeks of practice:
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Here are things to know as LSU starts spring practice:
Practice dates: March 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23 (scrimmage), 25, 26 and 28. After spring break, resumes April 9, 11, 13 (scrimmage), 16, 18 and 20 (spring game).
What's new: Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will install his new offense, and four new starters will man the defensive line.
What's old: The Tigers have eight returning starters on offense, led by quarterback Zach Mettenberger.
Offensive outlook:
Starters returning (8): QB Mettenberger, RB Jeremy Hill, FB J.C. Copeland, WR Jarvis Landry, WR Odell Beckham, LT La'el Collins (moved from left guard), LG Josh Williford (moved from right guard), RG Trai Turner, RT Vadal Alexander.
New starters: TE Dillon Gordon or Logan Stokes, C Elliott Porter. Key reserves -- QB Stephen Rivers, RBs Alfred Blue, Kenny Hilliard and Terrance Magee, FB Connor Neighbors, LT Jerald Hawkins, RG Fehoko Fanaika, RT Ethan Pocic, WR James Wright, Kadron Boone, John Diarse and Travin Dural, TE Travis Dickson.
Practice dates: March 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23 (scrimmage), 25, 26 and 28. After spring break, resumes April 9, 11, 13 (scrimmage), 16, 18 and 20 (spring game).
What's new: Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will install his new offense, and four new starters will man the defensive line.
What's old: The Tigers have eight returning starters on offense, led by quarterback Zach Mettenberger.
Offensive outlook:
Starters returning (8): QB Mettenberger, RB Jeremy Hill, FB J.C. Copeland, WR Jarvis Landry, WR Odell Beckham, LT La'el Collins (moved from left guard), LG Josh Williford (moved from right guard), RG Trai Turner, RT Vadal Alexander.
New starters: TE Dillon Gordon or Logan Stokes, C Elliott Porter. Key reserves -- QB Stephen Rivers, RBs Alfred Blue, Kenny Hilliard and Terrance Magee, FB Connor Neighbors, LT Jerald Hawkins, RG Fehoko Fanaika, RT Ethan Pocic, WR James Wright, Kadron Boone, John Diarse and Travin Dural, TE Travis Dickson.
BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU coach Les Miles took the podium for his pre-spring practice news conference Wednesday with a red left eye he said was the result of a case of pink eye.
It looked, however, like it might have been something else, like a symbolic black eye that came from a jab thrown by Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, or from a hook fired by a couple of surprisingly early departures from his team to the NFL, part of a whopping 13 NFL departures after a 10-3 season.
At any rate, Miles looked ready to put the pink eye, and any symbolic black eye, behind him as LSU begins drills on Thursday.
Here is what we learned from Miles on Wednesday:
1. La'el Collins will get first shot at left tackle: Collins was one of the highest-rated offensive tackles in the country coming out of high school in 2011, but he was the Tigers' starting left guard as a sophomore in 2012.
Miles confirmed that Collins, now a junior, will get his chance to slide over to tackle, but added that redshirt freshman Jerald Hawkins will get a look at the position as well. If Hawkins proves to be the better tackle candidate, Collins would move back inside.
Miles said if Collins indeed wins the left tackle spot, senior Josh Williford would be the likely choice to start at left guard. Junior college transfer Fehoko Fanaika came to LSU at 370 pounds, Miles said, and is more likely to play on the right side, where Trai Turner returns as the starting guard, Miles said.
2. Lamin Barrow gets first shot at MLB: Miles also indicated that Barrow would get the first shot at the vacant starting middle linebacker role, a spot vacated by Kevin Minter's early NFL departure.
Miles said Barrow " can do the job outside," where he excelled with 107 tackles at weak-side linebacker last season. If one of LSU's six Class of 2012 linebacker recruits or another veteran -- Miles mentioned junior D.J. Welter -- steps up at middle linebacker, Barrow can easily move back to his weak side spot.
3. Bolden, Maclin out: Miles said quarterback Rob Bolden, who made news when he transferred from Penn State to LSU last summer following the NCAA fallout from the Jerry Sandusky scandal, will not participate in spring practice after undergoing knee surgery in the off-season.
It looked, however, like it might have been something else, like a symbolic black eye that came from a jab thrown by Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, or from a hook fired by a couple of surprisingly early departures from his team to the NFL, part of a whopping 13 NFL departures after a 10-3 season.
At any rate, Miles looked ready to put the pink eye, and any symbolic black eye, behind him as LSU begins drills on Thursday.
Here is what we learned from Miles on Wednesday:
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Patrick Green/Icon SMILa'el Collins might see some shuffling along the offensive line this spring.
Patrick Green/Icon SMILa'el Collins might see some shuffling along the offensive line this spring.Miles confirmed that Collins, now a junior, will get his chance to slide over to tackle, but added that redshirt freshman Jerald Hawkins will get a look at the position as well. If Hawkins proves to be the better tackle candidate, Collins would move back inside.
Miles said if Collins indeed wins the left tackle spot, senior Josh Williford would be the likely choice to start at left guard. Junior college transfer Fehoko Fanaika came to LSU at 370 pounds, Miles said, and is more likely to play on the right side, where Trai Turner returns as the starting guard, Miles said.
2. Lamin Barrow gets first shot at MLB: Miles also indicated that Barrow would get the first shot at the vacant starting middle linebacker role, a spot vacated by Kevin Minter's early NFL departure.
Miles said Barrow " can do the job outside," where he excelled with 107 tackles at weak-side linebacker last season. If one of LSU's six Class of 2012 linebacker recruits or another veteran -- Miles mentioned junior D.J. Welter -- steps up at middle linebacker, Barrow can easily move back to his weak side spot.
3. Bolden, Maclin out: Miles said quarterback Rob Bolden, who made news when he transferred from Penn State to LSU last summer following the NCAA fallout from the Jerry Sandusky scandal, will not participate in spring practice after undergoing knee surgery in the off-season.
As LSU prepares to begin spring practice March 14, GeauxTigerNation will take daily looks at aspects of the spring camp. This is the eighth in the series:
BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU begins springs football practice Thursday with plenty of question marks, from adjusting to a new offensive coordinator to replacing the entire defensive line.
Here are the big story lines as practice gets set to start Thursday and continue until the spring game April 20:
1. What's the Cam Cameron effect? It's really going to be hard to pinpoint the Cameron influence on the offense until the Tigers start taking snaps in games next fall.
But if we start seeing Jeremy Hill taking swing passes from Zach Mettenberger and tight ends getting targeted repeatedly in passing drills, we'll know where that came from.
BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU begins springs football practice Thursday with plenty of question marks, from adjusting to a new offensive coordinator to replacing the entire defensive line.
Here are the big story lines as practice gets set to start Thursday and continue until the spring game April 20:
1. What's the Cam Cameron effect? It's really going to be hard to pinpoint the Cameron influence on the offense until the Tigers start taking snaps in games next fall.
But if we start seeing Jeremy Hill taking swing passes from Zach Mettenberger and tight ends getting targeted repeatedly in passing drills, we'll know where that came from.
BATON ROUGE, La. -- GTN's Gary Laney took your questions on a SportsNation chat Tuesday, but ran out of time to get to all of them. Instead, he turned them into a mailbag:
Ricky (New Orleans): How is our offensive line shaping up, since we had problems protecting Zach Mettenberger last year and our running game was not as productive as previous years?
GL: The offensive line could be the strength of the offense next year. With so many young players getting playing time, LSU has a lot of guys coming back. There are two key areas.
Ricky (New Orleans): How is our offensive line shaping up, since we had problems protecting Zach Mettenberger last year and our running game was not as productive as previous years?
GL: The offensive line could be the strength of the offense next year. With so many young players getting playing time, LSU has a lot of guys coming back. There are two key areas.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Before Chris Faulk's surprising announcement Wednesday that he'll leave LSU this spring, the starting lineup for Tigers' 2013 offensive line seemed easy enough to figure out.
The only departing starters from LSU's line would be center P.J. Lonergan -- who has an heir apparent in Elliott Porter -- and left tackle Josh Dworaczyk, who became the starter only after Faulk got hurt.
Move Porter into the lineup, bring a healthy Faulk back at left tackle, and just like that you have an experienced and talented offensive line set to go.
But now that Faulk will depart despite suffering a season-ending knee injury that cost him the season's final 12 games, the outlook is less clear.
The only departing starters from LSU's line would be center P.J. Lonergan -- who has an heir apparent in Elliott Porter -- and left tackle Josh Dworaczyk, who became the starter only after Faulk got hurt.
Move Porter into the lineup, bring a healthy Faulk back at left tackle, and just like that you have an experienced and talented offensive line set to go.
But now that Faulk will depart despite suffering a season-ending knee injury that cost him the season's final 12 games, the outlook is less clear.
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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 -- With a number of top prospects still considering the possibility of signing with LSU Feb. 6, they should remember one thing before they sign with the Tigers:
If you sign, you better come ready to play.
LSU brought in 21 true freshmen in the 2012 signing class, and 15 have played -- which is second in the country.
If you sign, you better come ready to play.
LSU brought in 21 true freshmen in the 2012 signing class, and 15 have played -- which is second in the country.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Leading up to the Chick-fil-A Bowl, we'll take a daily look at a key LSU player and examine how he has done and what his challenges are for the Clemson game.
Vadal Alexander, RT, Freshman
Accomplishments: Few players have had to mature as quickly as Alexander, who took over at right tackle for the season's final eight games as LSU shuffled playes around following a season-ending injury to left tackle Chris Faulk. Alexander, who played in all 12 games, proved a quick study and by season's end had 47.5 knockdown blocks and was on the SEC's All-Freshman team. In the season's last six games, he formed an All-Freshman right side of the offensive line with redshirt freshman Trai Turner and the pair excelled as the Tigers offense improved down the stretch.
Shortcomings: The Tigers had to go through growing pains with Alexander, who will still give you the occasional false start or blown assignment, reminders that while he's a quick study, he's also still a true freshman. He was part of LSU's struggle in the 14-6 loss to Florida. As the season progressed, the issues with youth become less severe.
Against Clemson: The Georgia native will return home and it will be interesting to see what a mini offseason will do for his game. LSU coach Les Miles noted that bowl preparations are almost as long as spring practice, so one might expect Alexander and other young players to enjoy dramatic improvement since the end of the regular season way back in Thanksgiving weekend. Given that it's a homecoming, one might expect an improved, and motivated, Alexander.
Vadal Alexander, RT, Freshman
Accomplishments: Few players have had to mature as quickly as Alexander, who took over at right tackle for the season's final eight games as LSU shuffled playes around following a season-ending injury to left tackle Chris Faulk. Alexander, who played in all 12 games, proved a quick study and by season's end had 47.5 knockdown blocks and was on the SEC's All-Freshman team. In the season's last six games, he formed an All-Freshman right side of the offensive line with redshirt freshman Trai Turner and the pair excelled as the Tigers offense improved down the stretch.
Shortcomings: The Tigers had to go through growing pains with Alexander, who will still give you the occasional false start or blown assignment, reminders that while he's a quick study, he's also still a true freshman. He was part of LSU's struggle in the 14-6 loss to Florida. As the season progressed, the issues with youth become less severe.
Against Clemson: The Georgia native will return home and it will be interesting to see what a mini offseason will do for his game. LSU coach Les Miles noted that bowl preparations are almost as long as spring practice, so one might expect Alexander and other young players to enjoy dramatic improvement since the end of the regular season way back in Thanksgiving weekend. Given that it's a homecoming, one might expect an improved, and motivated, Alexander.
Big 3: Miles praises resurgent offense
November, 14, 2012
11/14/12
2:14
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By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Improvement in the offense and bowl games were both big topics when LSU coach Les Miles spoke with the media Wednesday in the SEC's weekly teleconference. The Tigers (8-2), ranked No. 7 in the BCS, play their last home game Saturday against Ole Miss (5-5).
1. Offense has arrived: Asked about his teams improved offense in the last two games, Miles praised his offense.
"This is us," he said. "We're going to line up and make teams defend the run and the pass on the same down and distance."
The Tigers have improved drastically since the bye week, especially quarterback Zach Mettenberger and the passing game. The Tigers have thrown for 571 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in their last two games, against Alabama and Mississippi State. LSU has averaged 413.5 yards in those two games, despite playing against an Alabama defense that was ranked No. 1 in the country.
1. Offense has arrived: Asked about his teams improved offense in the last two games, Miles praised his offense.
"This is us," he said. "We're going to line up and make teams defend the run and the pass on the same down and distance."
The Tigers have improved drastically since the bye week, especially quarterback Zach Mettenberger and the passing game. The Tigers have thrown for 571 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in their last two games, against Alabama and Mississippi State. LSU has averaged 413.5 yards in those two games, despite playing against an Alabama defense that was ranked No. 1 in the country.
Grading LSU offense: Passing game lags 
October, 25, 2012
10/25/12
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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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BATON ROUGE, La. -- If LSU offensive tackle Alex Hurst is to return to LSU any time soon, you wouldn't know it from the depth chart.
Hurst no longer appears on the depth chart released Tuesday by LSU. Freshman Vadal Alexander is listed at the starter at right tackle, and sophomore Elliott Porter, also the backup center, is listed as the second-team right tackle.
Sixth-year senior Josh Dworaczyk, who started at left tackle last week after Hurst left the team for undisclosed personal reasons, is listed as the starter at left tackle, backed up by junior Chris Davenport.
Hurst no longer appears on the depth chart released Tuesday by LSU. Freshman Vadal Alexander is listed at the starter at right tackle, and sophomore Elliott Porter, also the backup center, is listed as the second-team right tackle.
Sixth-year senior Josh Dworaczyk, who started at left tackle last week after Hurst left the team for undisclosed personal reasons, is listed as the starter at left tackle, backed up by junior Chris Davenport.
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Young LSU line will get to know Moore
October, 16, 2012
10/16/12
9:00
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By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Watch tape of Texas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore and you'll see an assortment of looks.
He'll line up on the right side of the line, or maybe on the left. On some plays, he'll be lined up wide of the offensive tackle, others straight up.
On some plays, he'll try to use speed to sprint around the outside shoulder of the tackle. On others, he'll use a quick move and great strength for a 255-pounder to get to the inside of the tackle right into the face of the quarterback.
It's added up to 8.5 sacks -- an SEC best -- in six games for the junior as the Aggies prepare to host LSU on Saturday. He had three sacks against Florida, proof that he didn't accumulate his numbers against the softer teams on the Aggies' schedule.
Asked about Moore, LSU coach Les Miles said, "We're going to be challenged," but quickly added, "as we have in the past."
The Tigers are hoping recent experience with top-flight pass rushers will help the young offensive line contain one of the nation's most disruptive players. In last week's 23-21 win over South Carolina and monster defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, LSU performed well. This week, while much of the attention will be on LSU's ability to defend Aggies dual-threat quarterback Johnny Manziel, the Tigers' ability to contain another elite pass rusher may again prove crucial.
Coming into the South Carolina game, the perception was LSU could not protect its quarterback, with 15 sacks allowed in its first six games. But against the Gamecocks, not only did the Tigers keep quarterback Zach Mettenberger clean (one sack allowed), they battered arguably the best front they've seen to date for 258 rushing yards.
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Thomas Campbell/US PresswireTexas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore has 8.5 sacks to lead the SEC.
Thomas Campbell/US PresswireTexas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore has 8.5 sacks to lead the SEC.On some plays, he'll try to use speed to sprint around the outside shoulder of the tackle. On others, he'll use a quick move and great strength for a 255-pounder to get to the inside of the tackle right into the face of the quarterback.
It's added up to 8.5 sacks -- an SEC best -- in six games for the junior as the Aggies prepare to host LSU on Saturday. He had three sacks against Florida, proof that he didn't accumulate his numbers against the softer teams on the Aggies' schedule.
Asked about Moore, LSU coach Les Miles said, "We're going to be challenged," but quickly added, "as we have in the past."
The Tigers are hoping recent experience with top-flight pass rushers will help the young offensive line contain one of the nation's most disruptive players. In last week's 23-21 win over South Carolina and monster defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, LSU performed well. This week, while much of the attention will be on LSU's ability to defend Aggies dual-threat quarterback Johnny Manziel, the Tigers' ability to contain another elite pass rusher may again prove crucial.
Coming into the South Carolina game, the perception was LSU could not protect its quarterback, with 15 sacks allowed in its first six games. But against the Gamecocks, not only did the Tigers keep quarterback Zach Mettenberger clean (one sack allowed), they battered arguably the best front they've seen to date for 258 rushing yards.
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