By Hunt Palmer
Part of the objective for LSU’s offense this spring is revamping the running game.
Some of that process is overhauling an offensive line that lost four starters who combined for 142 starts in purple and gold.
Some of that process is developing a running back group high on talent and low on experience.
Some of that process is a change in style and scheme.
Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan has enjoyed the early portion of spring ball as all of that starts to come together. It starts with the offensive line.
“The fun thing about offensive line group is now there’s a lot of competition,” Sloan said. “Every day, you’ve got to go out there and bring it. Because if not there’s somebody else who is breathing down your neck. And we’ve been rolling in a lot of guys, giving a lot of guys opportunities. And kind of see who continues to rise as the spring goes on.”
Returning center DJ Chester and Virginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore have been rotating at center. Coen Echols has played some right guard, but Chester has worked there as well. Northwestern Transfer Josh Thompson worked at right tackle over the weekend where he shared time with Weston Davis.
No spot appears locked down at the moment.
That competition up front and the mindset the coaches are instilling into an offense that ranked dead last in the SEC in rushing yards last season is permeating to the other areas of the teams, as well.
“We’ve made an emphasis, not just on the o-line but at every position, about the physicality we’re going to play with,” Sloan said. “I think that starts up front. When they’re doing it up front, then I think it carries over to the receivers. The way we’ve been blocking on the perimeter, I think that’s changing, and I think that’s a massive piece to what we need to do for our offense. It opens up so many different things. But I definitely think it’s going to start up front, and the emphasis on coming off the ball and moving people. I think the kids are taking heed to it. And I think the competition is bringing out the best in all of them.”
Perhaps nowhere was LSU’s rushing ineptitude more highlighted than the red zone. The Tigers finished 14th in the SEC in red zone touchdown percentage and rushing touchdowns in 2024.
In the red zone the field shrinks, and the defense doesn’t have to fear LSU speedy wide receivers getting loose down the field. Safeties creep into the box and make life tough on LSU’s ground game.
“Our touchdown percentage in the red zone is something that’s going to be critical,” Sloan said. “It’s critical every year. Multiple things come into that. When you get down low, being able to block the extra hat and do different things to account for him. One, sometimes that quarterback run game. Sometimes that blocking with receivers, and we’ll attack it in a lot of different ways, and I think that’s been a huge focal point this offseason.”
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was not a threat to run the ball in 2024. He was sacked 15 times for 126 yards. When those numbers are removed, Nussmeier’s rushing statistics read: 19 carries for 88 yards. That’s 4.6 yards per carry, and his long run was 14 yards.
While Nussmeier won’t be confused for Jayden Daniels when he tucks the ball, Sloan still insists it needs to be part of the equation.
“We’ve got to be multiple in the run game,” Sloan said. “Garrett has to run more. He knows that. But Garrett is not going to go run for 1,000 yards next season. I don’t think you guys need to worry about that. So, we need to be multiple in our run attack. But as we get more multiple, keeping it simple for our guys so they can go attack.”
One of those wrinkles could be the legs of Ju’Juan Johnson who has made the move to quarterback full time. Johnson ran for nearly 4,000 yards and 54 touchdowns as a prep quarterback. He’s made some big plays from behind center already this spring.
“He’s obviously a different style of quarterback than maybe the other two guys,” Sloan said. “He’s going to definitely run. You’re going to have to respect his feet. I think he has great leadership skills. Obviously, he’s electric with the ball in his hands. He’s made big plays when we’ve been in live tackle situations.”
