Spring Position Battles: LSU Offensive Line
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It was a challenging 2022 season for LSU’s offensive line. After battling the injury bug, flipping through different rotations on a weekly basis and starting true freshmen in the SEC, it wasn’t ideal, but this unit hit their stride to end the year.
Head Coach Brian Kelly historically hasn’t started a true freshman up front, 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?
A dive into the lineup and potential battles:
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 in 2023.
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 (center), 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.
Right 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 right guard spot, it was a productive end to the year. Look for Frazier to handle starting right 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 coming soon, it should be much of the same. With experience under their belt, and Jones 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 left tackle where he can learn from Will Campbell.
