Notebook: Brian Kelly Updates Greg Brooks' Status, Freshmen Impacts
Brian Kelly and the No. 12 ranked LSU Tigers are hitting their stride as SEC play ramps up, and after knocking off Mississippi State on Saturday, the challenge is just beginning.
Kelly and Co. will host Arkansas in Week 4 with KJ Jefferson looking to recover following a loss to BYU in Week 3.
On Monday, Kelly took the podium to provide an injury report, discuss the challenge that lies ahead and youngsters making an impact for this program:
Injury Report:
TE Mason Taylor (ankle sprain): Probable
LB Omar Speights (lower body injury): Probable
DL Ovie Oghoufo (lower body injury) Probable
DB Greg Brooks (medical emergency): Unavailable
Kelly couldn't comment any further on the status of Brooks as he deals with what is described as a "medical emergency" this week. He'll add more once he gets permission from Brooks' family.
The Message on the Recruiting Trail, Youngsters Emerging
Kelly's recruiting staff has locked down the state of Louisiana ever since his arrival, but finding the perfect mix of players to impact the program is key.
In the 2023 cycle, the coaching staff found players to come in and make an immediate impact with several guys stepping up to the plate.
The Message to 2024 Recruits: "In this recruiting cycle, we are recruiting young men that believe and have confidence in themselves that they can play right away... What we can tell them is 'I'm not afraid to play freshman but I'm going to play the best players' because the best players are going to play if you are prepared both mentally and physically."
- On true freshman RB Kaleb Jackson: "The obvious answer is his physicality and explosiveness but a player that is still developing... He's still learning how to play the game. He doesn't have much baggage. We're talking to him about some of the rules... Teaching him the game and him still learning the game is where we're at with him. It's easy to see the raw ability but there's much more to it than that."
- On true freshman LB Whit Weeks: "He has elite speed at the position. He can run mistakes down. If he sees an open gap, he's going to take it. There's a learning curve there, but when you have a guy that's that athletic, doesn't get lost in coverage, that's why he's out there."
Defensive Dominance, Guys Finding Their Groove:
LSU saw their defensive line dominate the trenches on Saturday against Mississippi State. Headlined by Mekhi Wingo and Sai'vion Jones, it was a masterclass effort from the front.
Kelly discussed the gritty, tenacious players he's looking for while detailing what he's liked from both Jones and Harold Perkins:
- On Sai'vion Jones: "Here's a guy who's beginning to come into his size... He's now having to play more football than he ever has played. I think he's only going to get better. The game is starting to get easier for him again and I only think he can get better."
- On "competitive edge": "We're looking for gentlemen off the field but not gentlemen on the field. I want tough guys on the field that play the game the right way. I don't want teams that are penalized but we want tough guys on the field... We're trying to find that identity and I think we're getting close to that."
- On Harold Perkins: "Just playing with that energy, playing with that edge, he needs to find where that balancing act is. He's got to play with energy and emotion and I thought he brought that competitive edge. He was trying to find that early on... I think he's coming back to find that balance."
The Challenge Ahead: KJ Jefferson and Co.
Kelly understands that the Razorbacks will bring their best this weekend despite dropping their latest contest to the BYU Cougars. Led by signal-caller KJ Jefferson, this program always brings its best against the Tigers.
Kelly harped on what makes Jefferson so special and that his program will be dialed in for Saturday.
- On KJ Jefferson: "He certainly feels like this is his year to showcase himself. He's trying to make plays, but he has a lot of new players around him, so it isn't only about him. He's still the big, physical quarterback that scares you. We're going to be prepared for him to play his best against us."
Along with Jefferson, he has a variety of weapons to work with. At running back, it's been a balanced attack of AJ Green, Rashod Dubinion and Raheim Sanders leading the way.
At wide receiver, Andrew Armstrong has been the go-to guy and Kelly detailed that it'll be a tough task against a fiery Arkansas squad.
