LSU Practice Report: August 4

By Hunt Palmer and Matt Moscona

The pads were back on Monday morning, and so was the sunlight.

The Tigers hit the practice field after a day off Sunday, and the intensity level was up a notch during the team periods. Media was allowed to watch the last 30 minutes of practice when LSU went through periods of 11-on-11 and 7-on-7.

In the 7-on-7 period, Whit Weeks joined the first team defense that included his brother, West, Harold Perkins, Mansoor Delane, Ashton Stamps, Dashawn Spears and A.J. Haulcy.

That group rotated, but it was good to see Whit out there after a light workload on Saturday.

Garrett Nussmeier got it started with a strike to Kyle Parker for a first down.

Michael Van Buren stepped in and quickly hit Zavion Thomas and Nic Anderson for medium range catches.

From that point on, I thought the defense did a good job.

Nussmeier was 4-for-7 from that point on in the drill. He was intercepted by Harold Perkins on a zone coverage concept where Nussmeier didn’t see Perkins who caught standing still Nussmeier was visibly frustrated with the throw and had some choice words for Perkins as the linebacker returned it.

Perkins also snuffed out a flat route to Bauer Sharp later in the drill. It was a third and short that would not have converted.

Nussmeier did beat a zone to Nic Anderson for a nice 15-yard completion.

Ashton Stamps shadowed Zavion Thomas down the sideline and broke up a pass.

Michael Van Buren did a nice job in the drill. He made back-to-back throws over the middle that were caught in stride by Kylan Billiot and Jelani Watkins.

11 on 11

1s

Gabriel Reliford and Kolaj Cobbins were the ends on the first defense with Jack Pyburn and Bernard Gooden as the tackles. This is not the first time we’ve seen this look.

Jardin Gilbert and Javien Toviano were the first safeties. That position group continues to rotate snap by snap.

Nussmeier ripped a great throw to Chris Hilton for a 15-yard gain.

The next snap was a quick screen to Trey’dez Green which he dropped at the line of scrimmage. The entire play was clunky.

Caden Durham took a handoff on the next snap and was stuffed by Gooden. It’s been an eye-popping start to camp by Gooden who has worked the interior offensive line daily.

The next snap, however, looked to have busted for a big gainer by Durham. It was a “no tackle” period, so I can’t be sure, but it looked good.

2s

Van Buren fired a slip screen to Thomas who caught it at the line of scrimmage and was bottled up by Dominick McKinley.

PJ Woodland showed great coverage on a Van Buren deep shot for Barion Brown.

Kaleb Jackson was stopped for no gain.

Van Buren fired way too high for Parker over the middle.

The defense owned that period between the 2s.

1s

Nussmeier half roll and dump off to sharp. Perkins chewed that up.

Nussmeier too high for Trey’dez Green with Whit Weeks in good coverage.

Caden Durham busted a big gainer off the offensive left side.

The next snap was supposed to be a slant, but Nussmeier was hit and went to the ground forcing a wild throw.

The offense got its revenge on the next two snaps. An offsides allowed a free play for Nussmeier who fired high and deep to Trey’dez Green on the right sideline. The 6-foot-7 leaper soared to secure it and MAYBE get a foot down. I was the closest person to it and thought his hell hit the line, but it was a very athletic catch.

Then Nussmeier dropped a perfect touch throw over DJ Pickett to a streaking Chris Hilton for what would have been about a 20 yarder.

2s

Van Buren shoveled to Harlem berry, and Davhon Keys sniffed it out at the line.

AJ Haulcy came flying up field to break up a slant to Thomas.

Tylen Singleton came flying off the edge and blew up a read-option that was doomed further by a bad Paul Mubenga snap. He was working some at center. That tells me DJ Chester is winning the left guard battle.

Then Jimari Butler wrecked a passing play and forced Van Buren to take off running.

Overall, the defense had a good day. I charted some good coverage by Stamps, Woodland, Haulcy, Perkins and Whit Weeks. The defensive backs were largely in position.

I have to further single out Gooden who has been a game wrecker nearly every day.

Today was one of the better defensive “team drill” sessions I’ve seen over the last few seasons. Nussmeier and the offense go theirs. Hilton got loose. Green made two good catches. I think Durham would have busted free a couple of times. but overall, considering you can’t sack the QB or hit a receiver, I thought the defense won the day.

The only notable injury report was Aaron Anderson’s continued absence. Brian Kelly said after practice that Anderson was doing well and that Wednesday was the target for his return.