Aaron Anderson should shine with newfound help around him

By Hunt Palmer

Sometimes the boring camp storylines become the most important.

There’s not much to write about Aaron Anderson’s month of August. He missed a little bit of time in the early portion of camp with a sore hamstring, but he’s fully available Saturday for the opener.

He runs good routes. He makes catches. He’s quick. He’s fast. Ho-hum. The New Orleans native is just steady.

Chris Hilton is on a redemption tour. Nic Anderson is trying to rediscover his breakout form of 2023. Barion Brown has made the transition from feeble passing offense to high-flying attack. Kyle Parker has turned some heads.

Anderson’s 884 receiving yards last year outpaced that combined quartet by 225 yards. LSU head coach Brian Kelly was asked about Anderson’s role, and he immediately pivoted to the help LSU amassed around him.

“He’s a playmaker,” Kelly said. “As you know last year we struggled with big plays at times. To have a Barion Brown, Nic Anderson, Kyle Parker healthy, Zavion Thomas and Chris back, I mean that’s a big add compared to where we were last year with really just Aaron making them.”

Anderson’s size, just 5-foot-9, makes it tough for him to consistently win down the field. Deep balls generally come with a lot of air under them, and taller receivers have the advantage of plucking them out of the sky.

Anderson did make some deep catches a season ago, but he’s best suited closer to the line of scrimmage.

Now he’s got help.

“Supporting him was crucial to us in the offseason,” Kelly said. “I think we did that. He doesn’t have to be the only playmaker, and it makes it so much more difficult to defend him.”