Lane Kiffin chose depth over dominance.
LSU had to completely rebuild the wide receiver position, and Kiffin opted for numbers instead of star power. Rather than unloading cash on Cam Coleman, LSU took in 11 new wide outs. None of them is 6-foot-6, and you won’t find any mock drafts littered with Tiger receivers.
That doesn’t mean LSU is without talent at the position.
Jayce Brown is emerging as the top target for Sam Leavitt. The Kansas State transfer is silky smooth in his route running and possesses the Velcro hands a No. 1 option has to have. When Leavitt begins a passing drill at practice, Brown moves to the front of the line.
He leaves Kansas State eighth all-time in receiving yards (1,972) and yards per catch (17.1). My presumption is that he’ll lead LSU in both categories this year. Trey’Dez Green could be an obstacle for him in the yards department, but Brown’s big play ability should shine in this offense.
Last season, Ole Miss led the SEC in passing plays for 10, 20 and 30-plus yards. Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. feast on confused secondaries by using speed and spacing. Brown is a perfect fit. He led the Big 12 in 30-plus yard catches a season ago.
How George McDonald and Weis Jr. decide to deploy the wide receivers remains to be seen. The group offers a diverse menu of options. Tre Wilson and Winnie Watkins provide quickness. Phillip Wright can fly. Malik Elzy, Jackson Harris, and Roman Mothershed are physical presences. Tre Brown and Corey Barber excel in space.
The surest bet among them all is Jayce Brown.
Expect to see the former Wildcat on jet sweep action, underneath routes with room to run and stretching the field vertically where he makes those patented big plays.
Last year’s Tiger offense produced the fewest yards per game in the SEC. The Tigers ranked 111th nationally in that category. The new regime is tasked with solving that in a hurry.
Expect Brown to be right in the middle of that solution early and often. Beyond him, myriad options have to work themselves out, but the top Tiger target appears settled.
