Spring Football Preview: A Deep Dive Into LSU's Offensive Line and Tight Ends
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LSU’s offense has the chance to be special in 2023. With significant production returning, there’s much to look forward to, especially with the big guys up front.
Head Coach Brian Kelly historically hasn’t started a true freshman in his offensive line, but Will Campbell changed that quickly. One freshman starting was monumental, but add in Emery Jones to close out the season as well and the two youngsters made history at the tackle position.
The Tigers return their starting offensive line unit for the 2023 season. With continuity and experience under their belt, this group has the chance to be a bright spot come spring, but who can we expect to emerge? What does depth look like at the tight end position?
Here we looked into the offensive line rotation ahead of camp and the state of the tight end room:
The Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Will Campbell
For a true freshman to start in the SEC is rare and speaks to the work ethic Campbell possesses, coming to Baton Rouge built for the big stage.
It’s important to note the work Campbell has done since getting to campus. Hitting the weight room and getting his body right, the youngster is already at 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, looking the part. An offensive line that was seemingly entirely fresh-faced in 2022, Campbell had the opportunity to earn a starting role and did just that.
The youngster showed flashes of what the future holds in 2022, looking to carry his momentum into spring camp and take his game to the next level.
Left Guard: Garrett Dellinger, Miles Frazier
There was a shakeup at the left guard position all season. With both candidates getting a start at some point in the season, Kelly and his staff just didn’t find the appropriate answer. Heading into spring camp, it’s a given they lock down this position for 2023.
Dellinger went into the season as LSU’s starting center, but that changed rather quickly. It was a tough transition for him after working all offseason learning a new position, but long term it looks as though he’ll stay at guard.
For Frazier, he’ll have the opportunity to earn a starting role at either left or right guard. After getting snaps at both slots last season, spring camp will tell the story moving forward.
Center: Charles Turner
Turner was moved to center after Dellinger’s early-season struggles. Once inserted into a new role, he flourished. It appears as though this slot could be penciled in with Turner earning starting duties, but we’ve seen the Tigers offer centers via the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason.
Look for Turner to continue having a beneficial offseason as he enters his redshirt senior season.
Left Guard: Miles Frazier, Kimo Makane’ole
Frazier had a challenging 2022 season after being moved around for a few games, but once he stayed in his guard spot, it was a productive end to the year. Look for Frazier to handle starting left guard duties in spring camp and head into the 2023 season as the starter.
With a lack of depth at the guard position, both Frazier and Dellinger will have to be on their A-game and stay healthy, but look for the Tigers to add one or two bodies via the transfer portal during the second window in May.
Right Tackle: Emery Jones, Bo Bordelon
Jones earned starting duties towards the end of the 2022 season and never looked back. One of the most productive tackles in the SEC, the Tigers’ freshman duo of Jones and Campbell was historic.
Fast forward to their second season, it should be much of the same. With experience under their belt, and Emery seeing significant production in SEC play once named a starter, the 2023 season should be a breakout year for the Baton Rouge native.
For Bordelon, he enters his second season with the Tigers looking to earn backup duties at either left or right tackle. Along with Bordelon, true freshman Zalance Heard will be looking to make some noise at right tackle where he can learn from Will Campbell.
The Tight Ends
Mason Taylor - Starter
LSU tight end Mason Taylor became a key contributor to the Tigers’ offensive success over the last few weeks of the season. The true freshman quickly became the hero in the Bayou Bengals’ upset victory over Alabama, but to him that was just the introduction.
Taylor has been making highlight reel plays his entire career, and now the chance to do it on the biggest stage, it’s all he’s ever wanted. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, it sets lofty expectations, but Mason is simply looking to create his own path as he enters Year 2 in Baton Rouge.
Taylor reeled in 33 receptions for 326 yards and two touchdowns in his freshman campaign with the Tigers, but no catch was greater than his two-point conversion to defeat Alabama. The future of this position for LSU, this program is in good hands.
Mac Markway - Early Enrollee
Markway has the ability to be a dominant blocker for the Tigers. He’s big enough to hammer safeties in space, or a linebacker, as well as help to set the edge against a defensive end during an outside zone play. Regardless of what he does, he’s physical.
He’s also a prime target near the goal line or during short yardage because he’s such a good blocker that teams will come downhill at him. If a linebacker or safety negates the pass coverage responsibility with Markway, there’s a chance to strike. That will leave plenty of play-action passing situations available for Markway and the Tigers.
Jackson McGohan - Early Enrollee
Adding a player of McGohan’s caliber alongside Markway in a 2023 class puts this position group in good hands for the foreseeable future. McGohan has some of the softest hands among tight ends in his class, and once paired alongside Markway, the two have the chance to have immediate success in Death Valley.
McGohan was a late addition to the Tigers’ 2023 class after committing close to the Early Signing Period. Once he put pen to paper, he gave this program another immediate weapon. Look for McGohan to turn some heads during his first spring camp. A sturdy frame with tremendous instincts, he has the chance to be a force over the next eight weeks as he continues developing.
