LSU Practice Report: Harold Perkins' Role, Offensive Line Depth
LSU hit the practice field for the second time this week as the Tigers continue assessing their depth and slowly finding rotations.
It was a foggy, damp day on the field on Thursday morning but it didn’t stop Brian Kelly’s group from getting after it once again.
The Bayou Bengals completed their fourth practice this spring with Thursday being the third opportunity for the media to get a 20-minute viewing.
Here are a few takeaways from Thursday:
Harold Perkins, Omar Speights Working Inside
If Perkins showcased his versatility and athleticism in 2022 during his standout freshman campaign, year two will be about putting it all together. Coach Kelly has stressed fundamentals and it’s clear Perkins has been paying attention.
Perkins has been running as an inside linebacker alongside Oregon State transfer Omar Speights where the two look to be a lethal duo come the fall.
Speights ended the 2022 season with 83 tackles and eight tackles for loss with the Beavers. In four seasons up north, he finished his career with 308 total tackles. The addition of the savvy veteran gives Perkins a player to look up to and learn from this season, and through the first couple of practices, it’s evident they’ll be working side-by-side.
For Greg Penn III, he was seen getting reps with the second team inside linebacker group. It’ll be interesting to watch how he’s used for the rest of camp and into the summer as the Tigers identify their depth.
Defensive Line Looks Ready
This group has the chance to be as good as advertised in 2023. Texas transfer Ovie Oghoufo is looking the part through the first few media viewings, and with Saivion Jones getting significant snaps, this unit can be special.
Early enrollee Jaxon Howard looks poised for a freshman working with a veteran group. He's been seen working closely with defensive line coach Jamar Cain as he gets used to LSU's spring ball regimen.
A look at the defensive line getting coached up by Cain:
Offensive Line Depth a "Concern"
Once again starting guard Miles Frazier was absent from practice, leaving the Tigers with just six scholarship linemen during Day 4 of camp. It’s been a concern thus far, but reinforcements are on the way come summer workouts.
Maryland transfer Mason Lunsford will arrive on campus as will five-star phenom Zalance Heard. In total, five newcomers will be dressed out in the purple and gold come June.
But as for now, the Tigers’ offensive line room is sparse, but isn’t lacking talent and experience headlined by Will Campbell and Emery Jones who are fresh off of big-time freshman campaigns.
Cornerback Rotation, Zy Alexander Standing Out
Southeastern Louisiana transfer Zy Alexander has been getting run with the first team during camp to this point. He’s the most experienced cornerback of the group and has looked the part through three media viewings.
A player who shined at the FCS level, recording nine interceptions over the last two seasons, it’ll be interesting to see how he translates.
Along with Alexander, we’ve seen Javien Toviano get some reps under his belt with the first team. On Thursday, it was much of the same.
Here’s a look into the defensive backs getting to work on Thursday:
