LSU Tigers: Travis Dickson
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. -- When LSU hired Cam Cameron as its new offensive coordinator, tight end Travis Dickson had reason to be excited.
Cameron's reputation for using tight ends in the passing offense preceded him.
"I heard, then I looked into it myself," Dickson said. "And once I saw (the offense) my mind was blown. I couldn't wait to start spring (practice)."
Cameron's offense did, indeed, employ tight ends more in the passing game, not so much because Cameron has a particular infinity for the position where he has enjoyed coaching talent like Antonio Gates and Dennis Pitta, Dickson said. He said it's because Cameron is position agnostic and will cater the offense to its strengths.
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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.
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.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesCam Cameron's NFL experience is likely to help the LSU Tigers.BATON ROUGE, La. -- With LSU bringing in a new offensive coordinator in Cam Cameron, the question is, how will it affect the offense?
Over the years, Tigers teams under Les Miles have had strikingly similar offensive identities. The power running game has been a staple. The downfield passing game has usually been there. Since defensive coordinator John Chavis brought a dominant defense to town in 2009, the willingness to play conservatively and exchange field position with superior special teams has been part of the identity.
With Cameron and his Air Coryell background things might be tweaked. Cameron made his name as the offensive guru of the San Diego Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens and served as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and Indiana University.
Here are some common threads that might continue to be traits of his offense at LSU:
BATON ROUGE, La. -- It's not official yet, but it looks like LSU will probably soon have a new offensive coordinator in Cam Cameron.
For an offense not known for its passing game, it's an interesting choice,
Known as a follower of the "Air Coryell" offense popularized by Don Coryell's late-70s San Diego Chargers teams, Cameron has a history with successful quarterbacks. At Michigan, he tutored future NFL quarterbacks Elvis Grbac and Todd Collins as QB coach from 1990-93, working alongside Michigan assistant coach Les Miles. With the Washington Redskins, he coached Gus Frerotte to his only Pro Bowl.
For an offense not known for its passing game, it's an interesting choice,
Known as a follower of the "Air Coryell" offense popularized by Don Coryell's late-70s San Diego Chargers teams, Cameron has a history with successful quarterbacks. At Michigan, he tutored future NFL quarterbacks Elvis Grbac and Todd Collins as QB coach from 1990-93, working alongside Michigan assistant coach Les Miles. With the Washington Redskins, he coached Gus Frerotte to his only Pro Bowl.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU’s 26-player recruiting class is signed, sealed and delivered.
Well, maybe.
We’ve yet to see where Priest Willis will go or whether Tevin Lawson will accept LSU’s grayshirt offer instead of choosing a conventional scholarship offer elsewhere. And, for that matter, there still might be a scholarship awaiting defensive back Jeremy Cutrer, who did not sign Wednesday because it was unclear whether he will qualify academically.
Well, maybe.
We’ve yet to see where Priest Willis will go or whether Tevin Lawson will accept LSU’s grayshirt offer instead of choosing a conventional scholarship offer elsewhere. And, for that matter, there still might be a scholarship awaiting defensive back Jeremy Cutrer, who did not sign Wednesday because it was unclear whether he will qualify academically.
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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, 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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Minimal impact from LSU losses ... for now
September, 12, 2012
9/12/12
1:20
PM ET
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.
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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.
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