The 2023 LSU spring game ended in a tie score at 32-32 after a last-second field goal, but the score is the least important part of the showdown at Tiger Stadium on Saturday.
The Tigers offense, headlined by Jayden Daniels and Kyren Lacy, finished off their spring slate against a defense featuring a lot of new names and faces, and behind a patchwork offensive line group. With all that in mind, here are my top three takeaways from the annual spring showcase.
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1. Kayshon Boutte's replacement is in the building
The LSU Spring game started off with some fireworks. Jayden Daniels found Kyren Lacy for a 70-yard, one-handed touchdown on a slightly overthrown ball. Lacy, who struggled with drops last season, showed off his hands and added 4 more receptions in the 1st half for 92 yards. For what it's worth, Greg Brooks Jr. was in position to lay a big hit but peeled off and missed the tackle. That's what you're supposed to do in a spring game, and it was still a remarkably catch.
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Lacy wasn't the only receiver who got into the end zone. Malik Nabers scored during the first red zone rep -- which was separate from the formal scrimmage -- and added a 27-yard grab over the middle of the field, his longest of the game. Brian Thomas Jr. also caught an 8-yard touchdown from Garrett Nussmeier in the first half along with a 51-yard reception. Another interesting note: The 2nd half started just like the first with a 70-yard touchdown pass, that one from Nussmeier to former Mandeville standout Landon Ibieta.
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2. New names on defensive line make impact
The Tigers losses to the NFL draft along the defensive line are notable, but a few new faces made an impact on Saturday. Texas transfer Ovie Oghoufo started it off in red zone drills with an impressive tackle for a loss. Then we saw another transfer, Paris Shand out of Arizona, record a sack for a 7-yard loss.
But it wasn't just the transfers that made some plays, with freshman defensive end Jaxon Howard tracking down Nussmeier for a sack. LSU relied on their defensive line and they'll hope the new names can make that same impact when the real games come around.
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3. Special Teams still has work to do
Last season's opener against Florida State ended in disaster with a missed extra point following a thrilling comeback in the final minutes. Coach Kelly was hoping he could get some clarity this week in the kicking competition, between Damian Ramos and Nathan Dibert both competing for that job. That didn't happen. Kelly made that clear in his postgame remarks.
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Both kickers missed mid-range kicks. Ramos, who held down the job last season, missed another short kick in drills. Special teams took heat this past season with frequent mistakes, whether it be in the kicking game, coverage game or return game. Coach Kelly added John Jancek as the new special teams coordinator so we'll see if he can get things turned around this season. For now, the starting placekicker remains a real question.