By Hunt Palmer
In the transfer era, holes get plugged with veteran players far more often than true freshmen.
Early in LSU’s spring workouts, true freshmen have gotten some run with the first team at defensive tackle. Deuce Geralds made a big defensive play early in Tuesday’s workout, and Richard Anderson has made an impression three weeks into his practice time in Baton Rouge, too.
Does Lane Kiffin see time for freshmen on the defensive interior this fall?
“I do,” he said quickly on Tuesday. “We’re not really deep on the defensive line. That’s why it was really important to bring in portal guys but then also sign the high school guys that we did. So, there’s very high expectations for (Anderson) and the others.”
There’s a reason Kiffin met individually with Anderson and fellow five-star Lamar Brown just hours after arriving at LSU. He spent time with both prior to the dead period that was coming quickly after the former Ole Miss coach was named the head man at LSU.
Both ended up honoring their LSU commitments despite the staff change.
“Richard Anderson, phenomenal prospect. This guy’s going to be a great player. It’s just a matter of when that is,” Kiffin said. “I love how physical he is. Love how hard he’s worked. Again, these guys really are seniors in high school. Over time we’ve changed their enrollment. He’s doing a great job. Got a little banged up Saturday and played through it which was good. We’re really excited about it.”
LSU loses seniors Jacobian Guillory and Bernard Gooden from the defensive tackle rotation as well as transfers out Ahmad Breaux and Walter Mathis Jr.
Dominick McKinley, another former five-star from Louisiana, headlines the returners as a junior. Shone Washington is back after making just seven tackles a season ago. So is Brandon Brown who redshirted. Malik Blocton (Auburn) and Stephiylan Green (Clemson) are power conference transfers, and Achilles Woods comes over from South Alabama, but the young players will have to play.
Anderson has trimmed up by some 25 lbs from his days at Edna Karr. He’s got five more months in LSU’s strength and conditioning program before LSU kicks off with Clemson.
He’ll be more than a spectator that day.
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