Spring Football Preview: A Deep Dive Into LSU's QB's, RB's and WR's
LSU enters spring camp as one of the most intriguing programs in the SEC. With several returnees on offense, this group is in a great spot as the 2023 offseason continues.
From a skill position perspective, the Tigers return starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, all four scholarship running backs from last season and five wide receivers, including WR1 Malik Nabers.
Here we took a deep dive into the skill positions ahead of spring ball kicking off on Thursday:
The Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels
The first few games of the season were challenging for Daniels. Incorrect reads and hasty decisions halted offensive success with many of the difficulties coming when Daniels would rush out of the pocket to make the “hero ball” play.
Fast forward to Week 8 against Ole Miss and it became a completely different story for the signal-caller. Daniels looked much calmer in the pocket while sitting back and allowing for plays to develop. There is credit to be given to him, but his offensive line helped carry much of the load as well.
While Daniels had been given time in the pocket, he made the correct reads down the field and escaped when needed. Tallying three rushing touchdowns against Florida and carrying that rushing success into the Ole Miss matchup, Daniels became much more aware in the pocket while making the accurate read.
Jayden Daniels: Going Through Progressions
Another major challenge to start the season was Daniels’ inability to go through each progression and find the open wide receiver. This had certainly changed over the last few weeks of the season for the better. We saw Daniels hit his third and even fourth read at times, specifically in the matchup against Florida where it all appeared to come together.
With a receiver room that played up to six guys a night, continuity formed and the Tigers made a late run to win the SEC West.
Jayden Daniels: Utilizing his Dual-Threat Ability
The first few weeks of the season saw Daniels running for his life when given no time in the pocket for plays to develop. After eight weeks of growth, he began to put together masterpiece after masterpiece.
Yes, there were a few hiccups along the way, but Daniels proved he’s a true dual-threat quarterback, especially in the Tigers’ last few contests. Racking up 11 total touchdowns on the ground, he threw different looks at opposing defenses to keep them on their toes.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and Daniels became the perfect fit for one another and it’ll certainly carry into 2023. A duo many believed could be lethal slowly proved to be one of the best in the country.
Garrett Nussmeier - Redshirt Sophomore
In the SEC Championship Game, LSU fans got a taste of what redshirt freshman quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is capable of. It wasn’t perfect, but the youngster showcased his dynamic game and what the future could look like.
Nussmeier broke the record for most passing yards in the second half of a game in LSU history with 298 against Georgia.
Head Coach Brian Kelly walked away impressed with what his “gunslinger” was capable of. Despite a few mishaps here and there, his aggressive style of play was a major takeaway.
“He did some really good things. He's called upon to come in and be aggressive, which he was,” Kelly said. “For a guy that's coming in off not playing a lot of football, really pleased.
“Look, there's a learning experience out there. There's some throws that obviously he'd like to have back. Look, he's got a quarterback mentality that he wants to be aggressive. As Malik said, he's pushing the ball down the field, giving these guys a chance to make some plays down the field, and they did. Sometimes there are plays where they're 50/50 balls, but he gives them a chance to make some plays. He did a nice job with that.”
Nussmeier totaled 800 passing yards on 52 completions in 2022 with five touchdowns and four interceptions. It was a small sample size for the redshirt freshman, showcasing his elite arm at times, but decision making will ultimately be what needs to improve for the youngster as time goes on.
The Running Backs
Josh Williams
It’s hard not to enjoy watching Williams on the gridiron. A scrappy, do-it-all guy, he does the dirty work for this running back group when it comes to efficiency in his blocks and picking up the first down on third and short when called upon.
In 2022, Williams proved he’s much more than a situational running back. He evolved his game and thrived when given the opportunity. Once Armoni Goodwin went down with a hamstring early in the season, Williams took the starting back keys and never looked back.
Finishing the season with 97 carries for 532 yards rushing and six touchdowns, he led this running back room in yards, but also became a leader for this group. A player we could envision seeing wear No. 18 in the foreseeable future, Williams is poised for a breakout 2023 campaign.
Noah Cain
Cain’s time on the field was inconsistent. There were games where he didn’t see the field at all and others where he played a pivotal role in the offensive success. Regardless, when Cain did see snaps, he thrived.
He totaled 76 carries for 409 yards in 2022 with an eye-opening 10 touchdowns. Cain became a powerback for this running back room. When third and short appeared, insert Cain, and it immediately became a recipe for success.
Cain has the chance to take that next step in 2023. With an efficient first season in Baton Rouge, the hometown kid can carry his success over into next season. Pairing his red zone efficiency with consistency on third and short earned big-time chances in 2022.
John Emery
It’s hard to give Emery a grade for last season. Missing the first few games due to suspension and seeing inconsistent snaps with the emergence of both Josh Williams and Noah Cain, it certainly hurt Emery’s volume.
But when Emery was in a rhythm, it was a sight to see. Despite missing a few games, he still totaled 375 yards on 76 carries with six touchdowns. 2022 was supposed to be Emery’s year. After a remarkable offseason where he reshaped his body and looked poised for a breakout year, a suspension slowed down his positive trajectory.
Emery is ready to run it back in his final year with the Tigers. As he improves on a few inconsistencies that occurred in 2022, could he finally have the breakout year LSU faithful has been waiting for?
Armoni Goodwin
When healthy, Goodwin is the Tigers’ RB1 given his production when on the field. It was a challenging season for the sophomore back. Suffering a brutal hamstring injury early in the season and a knee injury to close out the season, Goodwin missed a plethora of games for the Tigers.
Again, when on the field, the youngster was effective, even when the offensive line was still figuring out their identity to start the year. Goodwin totaled 267 yards on 45 attempts with five touchdowns in five games played.
In what was supposed to be a breakout season for Goodwin as well after a stellar spring camp, injuries halted that opportunity in a hurry. Look for the talented sophomore to get back on track this offseason and put it all together in 2023.
Trey Holly - 2023 Signee/Early Enrollee
Louisiana’s all-time rushing leader Trey Holly put pen to paper and signed his letter of intent with Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers in December. One of the first commitments in this 2023 class, Holly helped boost this cycle in a big way as a recruiter of other players.
In his senior campaign, Holly logged 14 games played with 305 carries, 2,633 yards and 33 touchdowns. Holly set the Louisiana high school rushing record for a career with 1,228 carries for 10,523 yards and 146 touchdowns.
The Wide Receivers
Malik Nabers
Nabers will enter his junior season for LSU in 2023. The Tigers’ WR1 did not disappoint in his sophomore campaign. Leading the team with 72 receptions for 1,017 yards, Nabers took over this wide receiver room. Still a youngster with room to grow, Year 3 has all the makings of being special.
Tt’s important to focus on what Nabers accomplished last season. After a disappointing first game of the year against Florida State, he bounced back to prove what he’s capable of. Moving forward, it’s clear the expectations this program has for the sophomore wideout with NFL Draft hype coming into 2023.
Nabers is the clear cut WR1 heading into next season.
Brian Thomas Jr.
Like Nabers, Thomas Jr. burst onto the scene this season. With 31 receptions for 361 yards and five touchdowns, the sophomore wideout displayed what truly makes him such a lethal red zone threat.
The ability to go up and catch virtually any ball thrown his way, it was a wakeup call for this receiving corps knowing the talent Thomas Jr, has. Playing with tremendous physicality, Thomas Jr. has the chance to be a key piece to this offense in 2023 if he plays his cards right during camp.
Look for Thomas Jr. come out of his shell even more this offseason as he looks to assert himself as the Tigers’ WR2.
Kyren Lacy
At 6-foot-3, 212-pounds, Lacy has the size and strength to hang with the best of them in the SEC, boosting his stock during his time in Lafayette under head coach Billy Napier. In his first year with LSU in 2022 after transferring from Louisiana, Lacy showed flashes, but proved there is still room to grow.
Choosing the Tigers over Oklahoma, Auburn, Ole Miss and many others, Lacy believed in the vision head coach Brian Kelly has for this program, knowing he can play his cards right and make an impact soon.
In his two years at the University of Louisiana, Lacy totaled 50 receptions for 668 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Cajuns, bursting on the scene quickly as a true freshman.
Landon Ibieta
Don’t sleep on Ibieta heading into next season. A player who was banged up in 2022, the freshman didn’t have the opportunity to see the field, but a player of his caliber has the chance to make a statement next season.
With a full year under his belt in Baton Rouge, and volume sure to come his way next season, look for Ibieta to turn some heads in 2023. The Louisiana native is healthy for spring camp where he can make the most of his opportunities and make an impact over the next eight weeks.
Aaron Anderson - Alabama Transfer
The Alabama transfer will come to LSU with an even bigger role than expected with Boutte’s departure. Anderson redshirted in his lone season with the Crimson Tide, giving the Tigers a weapon for the future.
Along with taking on a major role in the receiving game, Anderson is a special teams threat where he will likely be LSU’s specialist from the jump heading into next season.
Anderson will be sidelined for much of, if not all of, spring camp as he nurses a knee injury he suffered last season with the Crimson Tide. Despite this, look for the first-year Tiger to take on a big role for LSU in 2023.
