Trajan Jeffcoat, Alfahiym Walcott on LSU's Playmakers

Quarterback Jayden Daniels, weapons create challenge for Razorback defenders

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Sep 19, 2023 11:41 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Most of the talk has been about playing at Tiger Stadium for Arkansas, but the bigger problem may be LSU's offense. After a rough opening-week loss against Florida State, they put it all together in last week's blowout of Mississippi State.

It has gotten the players' attention. If there was any doubt about that, defensive back Alfahiym Walcott and defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat made that pretty clear with the media after Tuesday's practices outdoors at the footbball center.

"Very talented O-line, a very talented offense," Jeffcoat said. "We’ve been looking at them. Pretty good teams."

The Tigers literally beat up the Bulldogs, 41-14, last week. It wasn't really that close but quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Malik Nabers looked like they were playing in a field 7-on-7 game at times.

Daniels was 30-of-34 passing for 361 yards and 239 of those yards going to Nabers' 13 receptions. If that continues for the season, that pair will stack up a lot of awards and recognition after the season. The Razorbacks have seen that in the video study for the game. That's endless these days.

"We've got to keep contain of the quarterback for the D-Line," Walcott said. "They have great receivers that can go attack the ball and get in and out of their routes Just keeping the top on the coverage and then keeping the quarterback in the pocket as much as possible, knowing that he's a good scrambler, he can run and use his legs pretty well.

Lost in the dizzying passing stats was the stat line that Daniels also ran 15 times for 64 yards. That's averaging over 4 yards per carry. "He’s a very quick, very athletic, very, very good quarterback honestly," Jeffcoat said. "He’s very fast, very shifty. He can throw. He can do it all. He’s a really good guy, really good athlete."

The media is making a lot about the hostile environment they are walking into, which likely is going to be a scene on ESPN's prime time slot with the A-team of their college announcers. That place can get wild on just about any night game down there and have for over 60 years, Even legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant used to complain about it, but he knew it wasn't going to do any good.

"Knowing we're going into a venue that's over thousands and thousands of people, we have to get hand signals down because you're not going to be able to really communicate verbally," Walcott said. "It's really hand signals and trying to be on the same page throughout the week. Using that sound in practice really helps us to get ready for that."

Even a guy with Jeffcoat's experience is looking forward to the whole experience. At least he is now because he's never played there before and he doesn't really have a choice. That's what's happening and that may be the best way to handle it.

"This is a venue I always wanted to play in," Walcott said. The players sounded like they're looking forward to it. You can only hope the interest in where they will be playing hasn't been greater than who they are playing. That could be more dangerous.

The game with LSU kicks off 6 p.m. Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge La. You can watch the game on ESPN and fuboTV .