We asked the team at 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge what true freshman will have the biggest impact for LSU into 2024. Here’s what they had to say.
Jacob Hester, Co-Host Off the Bench: Trey’Dez Green can be a real red zone weapon for this offense. I imagine him having a similar impact that Chase had in 2018. He is a mismatch nightmare for whoever you put on him in the slot.
T-Bob Hebert, Co-Host, Off the Bench: Dashawn Spears and PJ Woodland are definitely names to watch out for in the secondary, but ultimately, I will once again return to the trenches and say Dominick McKinley will have the biggest impact. It’s part contextual and part raw physical ability. LSU has a desperate NEED at that position and here you have a 6-foot-6, 316 lbs. pound block of marble that Bo Davis can hone and shape and get ready to play with his hair on fire. I think he is someone who will continue to gain momentum as the season goes on and have a bigger impact at the end rather than the beginning.
Taylor Sharp, Video Producer, Off the Bench: Some combination of Dashawn Spears and Dominick McKinley. The depth issues at DT are obvious, but I also really like what I’ve seen from Spears at safety, it will be tough to keep him off the field.
Alondra Villareal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: All signs point to PJ Woodland for me. Competitors like him make sure their presence is felt, and Woodland has already done that in the Spring and throughout fall camp.
Charles Hanagriff, Co-Host, Live at Lunch: The temptation was to go with one of three defensive players (McKinley, Reliford, or Woodland), because of the need on that side of the ball, but I couldn’t get away from the matchup nightmare that is Trey’Dez Green. It’s easy to see him being a big part of LSU’s redzone offense.
Hunt Palmer, Host, The Hunt Palmer Show: This answer has to factor in readiness and depth chart. When you combine those factors, it’s Trey’Dez Green. The offense is going to use two-tight end sets, and there are only three on the roster. Also, he’s freaking 6-foot-7 and can jump. You know who’s not 6-foot-7? Literally every defender on LSU’s schedule. I don’t know if Green can block anyone, but I don’t care. Get him on the field when a pass play is called.
Jacob Beck, Audio Producer, The Hunt Palmer Show: I’m between Dom McKinley and Dashawn Spears, but I’ll go with McKinley. The defensive line is probably one of the weaker units on the team as a whole with no proven production returning. That leaves quite a few guys with an opportunity to show they can make an impact. I think McKinley will get that chance. He was LSU’s top-rated prospect in the 2024 class, has the size and physical traits of an SEC defensive tackle and has looked good so far through fall practice.
Matt Moscona, Host, After Further Review: Dashawn Spears. He physically looks the part and reminds me a lot of Eric Reid as a freshman. By the time November rolled around in 2010, Reid was a starter and the same could be true for Spears. He’s already lining up on all of the special teams coverage units and is running with the twos at safety.
Matthew Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: Trey’Dez Green. He was destined for early playing time anyway, but with Mac Markway leaving that opens up even more of a spot. LSU will use multiple tight end sets this season and Green’s playmaking ability makes him a prime candidate for the spot opposite Mason Taylor.
