By Hunt Palmer
Brian Kelly’s first season was marred by myriad special teams issues.
LSU lost its season opener because of multiple blocked kicks and muffed punts. Issues in kickoff coverage arose, as well. Kelly tabbed Bob Diaco to take the reins of the special team, and two years later, the results have been positive.
True freshman kicker Aeron Burrell has exploded onto the scene, immediately impacting LSU’s kickoff performance. Back in 2022, LSU allowed 30 kickoff returns on the season, third most in the SEC. Those were returned for an average of 23 yards which was also third most in the SEC. Last year only Texas A&M allowed more kickoff return chances than LSU’s 35. Burrell has almost completely eliminated the issue.
“He’s a weapon, obviously, because you almost don’t even have to worry about kickoff return,” LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly said. “Clearly we struggle with covering kicks. Here’s a guy that had a fractured kneecap. He rehabbed all summer and put himself in a position where he could kick in the opener. He wasn’t 100 percent, and he’s clearly gotten better and better and better as the year has gone on where he’s automatic.”
While first-year defensive coordinator Blake Baker continues the rebuild of a broken defense, opposing offenses are having to set up shop at the 25 yard line time after time. Of Burrell’s 39 kickoffs, 37 have gone for touchbacks.
Though Burrell is busier than LSU’s punters, returns haven’t been an issue there, either. Opponents have only returned five of LSU’s 20 punts. One at South Carolina was blocked on what Kelly and his staff deemed an illegal play.
Both Peyton Todd and Blake Ochsendorf have been involved in the punting, and the rotation has worked well.
Meanwhile, placekicker Damian Ramos was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his 4-for-4 effort against Arkansas. He’s made multiple 40+ yard kicks in back-to-back games for LSU.
“His mechanics and his routine are so flawless,” Kelly said of Ramos. “His ability to repeat his mechanics really separates him. All day he’s working on it. We’re out at practice, and he’s with his group every day. He stays locked in for 90 minutes out there. Just working his routine, so when it’s time to kick it’s push play and go. It’s pretty remarkable.”
Ramos does have another season to kick for LSU in 2025 if he chooses. Kelly feels great about that as well as the succession plan with Burrell who was the nation’s top prep kicker in the 2024 class.
“(Burrell)’s got a great demeanor,” Kelly said. “He works hard every day. Damian Ramos is kicking so well, but (Burrell)’s leg, as I mentioned before, he’s going to have to work on some of the accuracy at times, but he’s kicking them from 60 plus (yards) in practice. He’ll be a real weapon for us as a field goal kicker, as well.”
