Media availability for LSU’s football practice Friday morning was in hurry-up mode.
First-year head coach Lane Kiffin is a renowned offensive mind used to pushing the pedal at break-neck speed. The media got a taste of that pace, getting to observe three periods for approximately 10 minutes at the Charles McClendon Practice Field.
LSU, which begins class on Monday, will hold a full-contact scrimmage on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Tiger Stadium which is closed to the media and public.
After missing Thursday’s practice with an apparent leg injury sustained two days earlier, five-star signee Lamar Brown of University High, returned to the practice field without any noticeable discomfort.
Brown was among a group of EDGE/linebacker position players that worked on discipline and their eyes downfield. The drill was for players to keep an eye on an assistant coach, who acted as the quarterback, fake a handoff to a running back in motion and arrived at the ball carrier.
Tennessee junior transfer Jordan Ross, Ole Miss senior transfer Princewill Umanmielen, redshirt freshman Jaiden Braker of Snellville, Ga,, sophomore Kolaj Cobbins of Destrehan and junior Dylan Carpenter of St. Amant also did work earlier in the drill, using their instincts and strength to shed a blocker at the point of attack.
RUNNING BACKS GALORE
A total of seven running backs took handoffs from quarterbacks Sam Leavitt, USC sophomore transfer Husan Longstreet and Elon sophomore transfer Landen Clark.
The group of fleet-footed Tigers were led by Wisconsin sophomore transfer Dilin Jones, Central Florida sophomore transfer Stacy Gage, sophomore Harlem Berry, junior Caden Durham, Charlotte junior transfer Rod Gainey Jr. and junior Joseph Ebun.
All three quarterbacks took turns, taking a step toward the line of scrimmage following the snap and making option pitches to trailing backs.
LINEBACKERS CORP TAKING SHAPE
LSU’s top group of senior Whit Weeks, junior Davhon Keys and Ole Miss senior transfer TJ Dottery led the way with read and reaction drills, followed by redshirt freshman Keylan Moses, redshirt freshman Zach Weeks and junior Jake Ibieta. The final group was comprised of sophomore Charles Ross II, North Dakota freshman transfer Theo Grace and sophomore Tylen Singleton.
WORKING IN TANDEM
LSU’s offensive linemen took turns working on combination blocks during the first period allowed to the media. Colorado junior transfer Jordan Seaton and senior Bo Bordelon worked together on combination blocks, reaching toward the edge defender.
Freshman Brett Bordelon and Baylor junior transfer Sean Thompkins Jr. also worked as a pair, along with Nicholls State sophomore transfer Ja’Mard Jones Jr. and West Monroe freshman Hayes Fuqua.
SHORT EXPLOSION
The defensive line, which worked on moving on first sight, played through, showed their lateral movement and took on the sled which acted as a defender.
Freshman Deuce Geralds, Auburn junior Malik Blocton, junior Dominick McKinley, freshman Brandon Brown of Melbourne. Fla., South Alabama sophomore transfer Achilles Woods and Clemson junior transfer Stephiylan Green.
FINAL SAY
As the media was leaving the practice field, quarterbacks were working against one-on-one coverage when Longstreet threaded a pass to Florida junior transfer Eugene Wilson against tight coverage near the pylon.
