LSU Fall Camp Evaluations: The Defensive Line, Maason Smith Situation

LSU will be without star defensive lineman Maason Smith for the season opener against Florida State after the NCAA suspended the third-year Tiger for receiving improper benefits in 2021.

It’s a major blow for the Tigers interior defensive line with Smith looking to make his comeback against the Seminoles after tearing his ACL in last year’s Week 1 showdown. Now, it’ll have to wait until Week 2 against Grambling.

For LSU, this program went out and added several newcomers during the offseason to provide depth up front.

How did this unit perform during Fall Camp? Can this program survive without Smith against Florida State?

A dive into the defensive line room:

Interior Defensive Line

Starters: Maason Smith, Mekhi Wingo

Backups: Jacobian Guillory, Jordan Jefferson, Jalen Lee, Fitzgerald West

Maason Smith

Smith returned to the practice field this summer after recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last September against Florida State. There were times where the Preseason All-SEC selection looked physically dominant. He shined and didn’t skip a beat, but there were also a few injury hiccups along the way.

Smith went down with a lower leg injury on the first Saturday of Fall Camp and the nagging injuries lingered through preseason practices. He was sidelined for much of camp and didn’t take significant snaps over the last week and a half.

Aside from injury concerns, the Tigers know what they’re getting from the 6-foot-4, 315 pound menace up front. He’s a specimen who showcased his elite athleticism as a freshman, and after missing Year 2 with a knee injury, he’ll be ready in 2023. Smith will be absent for the Week 1 contest against Florida State, but long term he’ll be key for this program.

Mekhi Wingo

Wingo was a force during Fall Camp after shining in his first season with the Tigers in 2022. When Smith went down against the Seminoles last September, Wingo picked up the slack in a big way and earned the accolades that came with it.

Fast forward to the offseason and Wingo carried his success into both spring and fall camp. He’ll be a massive piece to this interior defensive line, and with Smith out for the season opener, look for Wingo to carry significant weight.

Jacobian Guillory

Guillory ran with the first team when Smith was sidelined for much of camp. The headline is that Smith will be out for the Florida State matchup, but a key note is that Guillory will be his starting replacement.

It isn’t a situation where a player with limited reps is taking on a major role. Guillory handled significant first team reps during Fall Camp and has the chance to fill in and make an impact when his number is called.

The redshirt junior has been a reliable asset to this interior defensive line and will be asked to pick up the slack come Sept. 3.

Jordan Jefferson, Jalen Lee and Fitzgerald West

Jefferson and Lee transferred in during the offseason and will primarily run with the second team this season. During camp, the duo provided significant depth to this interior defensive line unit and will be called upon at times to provide a lift with the second unit.

For West, many expect him to take that next step this season. The Lafayette native is up to 285 pounds and has looked the part this offseason.

Look for the trio of defensive line reinforcements to make an impact in one way or another this fall, specifically in the season opener with Smith out.

Defensive Ends

Starters: Sai’vion Jones, Ovie Oghoufo

Backups: Bradyn Swinson, Dashawn Womack, Jaxon Howard, etc.

Sai’vion Jones

LSU defensive end Sai'vion Jones has patiently waited his turn to take on a major role for the Tigers defense. He's sat behind a handful of talented players, but as the 2023 season nears, it'll be his turn to represent the purple in gold in an expanded capacity.

When looking at players on LSU's roster that are ready to take that next step and breakout this season, the third-year Tiger is at the top of the list.

Jones has bulked up to 280 pounds and lived in the film room ahead of his junior campaign.

Ovie Oghoufo

The former Texas standout has had quite the journey to this point. After playing for Brian Kelly at Notre Dame for three years then transferring to Texas ahead of the 2021 season, he now returns to a familiar situation.

Oghoufo has the chance to take on a major role in his lone season in Death Valley, and with significant experience, he’ll serve as a leader for the Tigers as he looks to compete for a championship.

Oghoufo will take on a big role for the Tigers during the 2023 season. It’s been on full display during fall camp and as he continues working with LSU’s staff, the sky’s the limit to what the first-year Tiger will be capable of come this fall.