By Hunt Palmer
While LSU shuffles pieces around on the offensive line, left tackle has remained steady.
That’s Tyree Adams’s job.
Now a third-year sophomore, Adams is undertaking the significant role of filling in for the highest drafted Tiger offensive lineman ever—Will Campbell. After three seasons entrenched as the left tackle, Campbell became the No. 4 overall pick to the New England Patriots.
It was evident early on that Campbell would be a three-year player at LSU, so the chore of replacing him did not come as a surprise. Offensive line coach Brad Davis and head coach Brian Kelly pegged Adams for the role over a year ago.
“We recruited what we thought was a talented player,” Kelly said of Adams. “We recruited someone who we thought fit our culture. You start with recruiting the right guys. And then they develop naturally within your program. And then when it’s time to step in there, you’ve got to be prepared.”
Campbell didn’t allow for much of an opportunity for Adams. He played every snap of 23 of the 25 SEC games over the last three years, missing the Tennessee game in 2022 due to illness and sitting for the final eight snaps of the Mississippi State rout in 2023.
Adams played three snaps against Army as a true freshman in 2023 and played 78 snaps during the regular season in 2024. Nearly half of those came at left guard when Garrett Dellinger went down with an injury at Florida.
“He was a (second team player) all last year and prepared himself very well,” Kelly said. “He came to practice, prepared himself, was locked in, and essentially was waiting for his opportunity. When his opportunity arose, in particular in the bowl game, he played really well.”
Adams started at left tackle against Baylor in the Texas Bowl. Campbell elected to opt out of the game to prepare for the NFL. Given that opportunity, Adams played all 61 snaps at left tackle for an LSU offense that threw for 313 yards without a single sack allowed.
Adams did not grade out particularly high with Pro Football Focus in the game. He was dinged with three hurries allowed on 35 passing snaps. PFF called his effort in the game a 53.0.
That was just a taste of the position. He’s had eight months to hone his skills for the season to come. Kelly and Davis have given Adams every rep with the first team to this point suggesting there is a sincere trust with the St. Augustine High School product.
“I think it’s his consistent approach coming to this building every day, focused on the details necessary to be a starting tackle,” Kelly said. “I think he had the talent. He had the right traits coming in. He did a really good job of developing and being consistent which has allowed him to step in and be our left tackle.”
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