LSU Kicks off Talking Season
At a certain point in the offseason, time seemingly stops as tormented college football fans gasp for air, craving sustenance. Mercifully, SEC Media Days are here to serve as the next milestone for surviving until Week Zero. Coaches and players invaded Dallas, TX on Monday to talk ball. Brian Kelly was the first coach to speak, and previous Media Days have shown him to have a keen awareness of his teams’ strengths and weaknesses. He chose quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, All-American linebacker Harold Perkins, and tight end Mason Taylor to join him in fielding questions about LSU.
There were instances in which different team representatives answered similar questions regarding replacing offensive talent and defensive expectations. Fortunately, media days also provided questions specific to each LSU representative in terms of his responsibilities as a player or coach. It’s time to get into some of the more meaningful answers and what they mean in terms of the Tigers’ potential for the 2024 season.
Head Coach Brian Kelly
On replacing the production of two first-round picks at receiver:
- “I don’t think you look towards one player. I think when we look at our football team in its totality, there will be a number of players that we’ll count on. I think that’s what I like about our receiving corps more than anything else, is the depth.”
Although there aren’t many high-profile names at the moment, Kelly believes that LSU has enough quality depth to match the production of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas by using more players. Kyren Lacy is the projected go-to guy, but Chris Hilton along with transfers CJ Daniels and Zavion Thomas have an opportunity to step to the forefront of the offense. Smaller, shiftier wideouts like Aaron Anderson and Kyle Parker could also play a role in allowing the offense to be more creative.
On defensive line coach Bo Davis:
- “The sales pitch was certainly his opportunity to rebuild the pride and tradition of LSU’s defensive line. He wanted to be the architect of bringing that back. He’s won national championships within the SEC, so players immediately with his success because it’s real. That carries on to the recruiting trail.”
Kelly realizes it was no small feat to lure Davis away from new conference rival Texas. Davis is a proven coach and recruiter, and the results have been immediate on one side of that equation. Brian Kelly was not the last participant from LSU to praise Davis at Media Days, as Perkins also spoke highly of him.
Garrett Nussmeier
On waiting his turn in the age of the transfer portal:
- “What kept me to stay was I felt like when I was making my decision out of high school where to go to school, I felt like there was a lot of prayer involved. And God brought me to LSU for a reason. Sometimes we want things right away, and that’s not how it’s supposed to be.
Nussmeier’s answer shows remarkable maturity and a refreshingly different perspective in today’s college football climate. He felt he would be rewarded for being patient. Fortunately, things played out in a way that allowed him to get his chance to lead this team. The new starter at quarterback for LSU was polished in his first appearance at Media Days.
On working to get better this summer:
- “I think the main thing for me this offseason is building relationships with my teammates. Not just in the building but outside the building because I think that’s where it starts on the field.”
Again, the wisdom is evident with the new starting quarterback. Nussmeier understands the importance of knowing his teammates on a personal level before expecting them to be receptive to his leadership on the field.
Harold Perkins
On new defensive coordinator Blake Baker:
- Coach Baker is a joy to have around the building. He’s (also) my position coach. My first time meeting him he came out to practice with some cleats on. And he made me laugh a little bit because that speaks to the testament of who he is. He wants you to work, but he’s putting in the work, too. He’s not just out here telling us what to do, he’s showing us how to do it.
Perkins’s answer suggests a closer relationship with Baker than his last defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. In a sense, it seems that Baker not only “talks the talk” but also “walks the walk”. Communication was not a strong suit of LSU’s defense in 2023, resulting in the arrival of a new defensive staff. Football knowledge in a coach is important, but teaching ability is vital.
Mason Taylor
On his role in the offense:
- “I think we lost some production this year with BT and Malik leaving, and I think there’s definitely room for opportunity. As a tight end group and tight end unit, I think it’s really important for us to step in and show the coaches what we can do and it starts within practice.
Kelly mentioned the receivers, but the offensive talent that left for the NFL also provides an opportunity for the tight ends in the Tiger passing attack. Taylor established himself as a weapon as a freshman but was slowed by injuries in 2023. Now he’s healthy along with matchup (and auto-correct) nightmares in 6’-6” Ka’Morreun Pimpton and 6’-7” Trey’Dez Green. Considering the players that could have made the trip to Dallas, Taylor’s presence for LSU at SEC Media Days is a statement in itself as far as the LSU staff’s expectations for his impact this year.
