LSU Spring Practice Report: March 24

By Matt Moscona and Hunt Palmer

The Lane Kiffin era has begun.

Well, it began five months ago and doesn’t start on a scoreboard until Labor Day Weekend, but he’s led a practice.

LSU began its spring workouts on Tuesday morning on a spectacular day in Baton Rouge. The team wore helmets, and most wore shoulder pads. The media was granted five periods of access.

FOCUS ON THE FEET

Sam Leavitt was at practice. He worked with the first team in individual drills.

He was not in any visible protective gear like a wrap or tape. He was able to throw and walk around. When the quarterbacks lightly jogged to the next drill, he gingerly did so while favoring that surgically repaired foot. Leavitt certainly can’t participate fully in practice, but he’s very much involved. He’ll be able to take some mental reps and keep his arm strong as he recovers.

Defensively, Whit Weeks was the only player I saw in attendance that was not participating. He was in good spirits observing the linebackers going through drills. Weeks missed a ton of action with that break in his foot during the fall. Considering he’s been in Blake Baker’s defense for two years, spring drills aren’t much of a priority. His health is.

LINE ‘EM UP

When the media walked in, a full offense and defense lined up to go through some quick 11-on-11 walk through with some energy.

It’s the first day of spring. LSU took more than 50 new players, and some returners have changed numbers. I just starting frantically writing the numbers down to complete the lineups on both sides of the ball and realized when I checked them against my roster five minutes later that it was the second group, not the projected starters. Here’s what I saw, though.

Offense

QB: Husan Longstreet

OL Left to Right: Brysten Martinez, Ja’Quan Sprinkle, William Satterwhite, Darrin Strey, Bo Bordelon

WR: Tre Brown, Philip Wright, Malik Elzy

TE: Malachi Thomas

RB: Dilin Jones

Defense

Front: Gabriel Reliford, Brandon Brown, Shone Washington, Dylan Carpenter

LB: Tylen Singleton, Zach Weeks, CJ Jimcoily

CB: Michael Turner, Ja’Keem Jackson

S: Faheem Delane, Jhase Thomas

SAFETIES

I spent some time watching the safeties. It’s a really good-looking group. Dashawn Spears and Ty Benefield are both long and filled out. Aiden Hall, the freshman from Karr, is also not a small player. He’s close to 200 lbs. Tamarcus Cooley is back, and Faheem Delane looks the part.

Jake Olsen has some real options in terms of talent and versatility.

RUNNING BACK RECRUITS

Three in-state backs were on hand Tuesday.

Trey Martin, the four-star back from Franklin Parish was in attendance. His teammate DJ Neal was there, as well. Neal is a 2028 prospect.

Lafayette Christian’s Caiden Bellard, another 2028 prospect, made the drive over. He already has an LSU offer.

COACHING CHORES

Kiffin observed the offense while we were able to watch. He wasn’t doing any coaching. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. was working with Dane Stevens and the quarterbacks. Leavitt took first reps followed by Husan Longstreet and then Landen Clark.

Defensively, Chris Kiffin handled the linebackers, and Blake Baker worked with the STARs which included Zach Weeks, Keylan Moses, Davhon Keys, Theo Grace and Jake Ibieta.

LAGNIAPPE

West Florida transfer wide out Tyree Holloway had a drop on a crossing route.

Both Jackson Harris and Malik Elzy have impressive size at wide out.

Music was blaring for the entire observation period.

We did not see Clemson DL transfer Stephiylan Green.

Not yet with the team are: Brayden Allen, Lamar Brown, Dez Ellis, Adrian Lamb, Isaiah Washington and Jackson Williams. Everyone else is enrolled and going through practice.