Michael Bacigalupi
By Hunt Palmer
LSU’s offensive line continues to rotate as the season-opener approaches.
“Tyree (Adams) is going to be our starting left tackle,” head coach Brian Kelly said. “I think there’s still a battle between Paul (Mubenga) and Coen Echols for one of the guard positions. (Josh) Thompson has nailed down one of the guard positions. Braelin (Moore) has nailed down the center position. and I think there’s still a battle for that next tackle position.”
On Monday, true freshman Carius Curne worked with the first unit as the right tackle. Redshirt freshman Weston Davis has occupied that spot much of camp.
“We moved Carius over there to compete with Weston to see who is our best, and maybe it’s both of them,” Kelly said. “We wanted to see. Maybe it’s a combination, or maybe it’s one or the other.
“There wasn’t enough competition there. We feel like Ory (Williams) is coming along, but he wasn’t there yet. So, we wanted to create a little more competition at that right tackle position.”
The Tigers are replacing four drafted starters on the offensive front, and DJ Chester, LSU’s starting center last year, will not start there.
“In some ways it’s a disservice to him because we’ve got him playing center, guard; he’s playing a little bit of right tackle,” Kelly said of Chester. “He’s competing for a starting position as well. But we can’t put them all out there. Somebody’s going to have to be in a rotational position. Whether it’s Paul or Coen or DJ, Weston or Carius, those are the guys that are all going to eventually play.”
It’s a completely overhauled unit for position coach Brad Davis, and it appears that the competition will spill into the season and even drive-to-drive on gameday.
“I don’t think you’re going to see five guys trotting out here every single play,” Kelly said. “I think you’re going to see some other guys definitely getting into the game as well.”
More LSU Stories
