The LSU Football Team will attempt to replace arguably the top pass-catching duo a season ago in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. The duo accounted for a staggering 2,746 yards and 31 touchdowns through the air with Heisman winner Jayden Daniels under center. Also this LSU defense struggled in 2023, ranking 82nd nationally allowing 28 points per game. Coach Brian Kelly overhauled his defensive staff, bringing in some big names to turn this ship around, but there’s a long way to go.
LSU Football Team In Need Of Good Replacement For Heisman Winner Jayden Daniels
LSU Football’s annual Spring game was on April 13th, and the public introduction of many new faces to this LSU team presented themselves, as well as players like Garrett Nussmeier and Kyren Lacy, who will be replacing last year’s stars who are now off to the NFL. Many things were different from in the fall, but one thing that wasn’t though, was the dominant performance of the offense and, the lingering struggles of the defense.
Nussmeier is expected to take the reins from Jayden Daniels, and has carried over the momentum from his dominant performance in the ReliaQuest Bowl in January, finishing 7-for-7 on his throws for 187 yards and two touchdowns. It’s not only just about his play on the field, Nussmeier has also become the leader the program needs at the quarterback position.
Nussmeier has plenty of offensive weapons coming in, as LSU landed Liberty transfer CJ Daniels, who averaged 19.4 yards per catch for the Flames. Mississippi Stat transfer Zavion Thomas was also added to the team alongside Kyren Lacy, who transferred from Alabama the prior year. Lacy collected 30 receptions for 558 yards and seven touchdown in 2023, so with all these tools Nussmeier is primed and ready for a true breakout performance in 2024. Despite losing Nabers and Thomas, this wide receiving corps is still very talented.
What To Make Of This LSU Defense Especially After The Spring Game
Like I mentioned before Coach Brian Kelly totally cleaned house with the defensive coaching staff, replacing the defensive coordinator, cornerbacks coach, safeties coach and defensive line coach during the offseason. LSU had an offense good enough to win a National Championship in 2023, but what held them back was a defense that ranked in the hundreds in almost every single statistical category possible.
The beginning of this year’s spring game looked similar to many games last season for the LSU defense, as they allow Mississippi State transfer receiver Zavion Thomas to run free behind the defense for a 45-yard touchdown. Which ended up being a concerning theme for the LSU defense for much of the game as Garret Nussmeier picked apart the secondary with ease on long passes. The defensive line struggled against the first team offensive line, but wasn’t surprising given the numbers in the defensive front. Coach Kelly said earlier in the week that they were still looking to add transfers on the defensive line and doubled down on that after Saturday.
While LSU’s interior defensive line is far from finished, there’s still plenty of talent on the edge. The Tigers return players like Bradyn Swinson, Sai’vion Jones, and Da’Shawn Womack from last season. The biggest standout has been freshman Gabriel Reliford who’s been killed it in Saturdays practice game. The Tigers are shaping up to be a very competitive team in 2024, and have replaced the firepower from last season on offense quite well, but the focus for LSU is still figuring out how to get this defense shaped up and better come the 2024 season in fall.