Temperatures were hot and so were tempers at LSU’s practice on Monday. A big fight broke out in practice on Monday morning, resulting in Coach Brian Kelly sending a couple of players to the showers, receivers Malik Nabers and Kyren Lacy. Linebacker Harold Perkins did not participate in 11-on-11 drills after the fracas.
The competitive juices have been flowing during the first week of preseason camp. Sophomore tight end Mason Taylor said that was the second fight that’s erupted already and last year there was only one scuffle.
Kelly brought the team together after this latest skirmish.
“Coach Kelly said to the team to start respecting our brotherhood,” said Taylor “At the end of the day, we’re going to compete and emotionally you do get high. We’ve just got to control it.”
LSU begins the season in the Top 5
The preseason coaches’ poll was unveiled Monday and LSU is ranked 5th.
Georgia is ranked number one, Michigan is number two, Alabama third and Ohio State is ranked 4th.
The Tigers open the season September 3rd against Florida State and the Seminoles are ranked 8th.
Other LSU opponents ranked in the Top 25, as mentioned Alabama 3rd, Ole Miss 22nd and Texas A&M 25th.
Sai’vion Jones time to shine
Former St. James star Sai’vion Jones has been waiting his time to be a full-time starter and will get that chance this season. Jones played in all 14 games last season and started three. Even though his snaps were limited, Jones had four sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss.
Jones believes 2023 will be a great year for him and the rest of the D-Line.
“I expect me to have X amount numbers of sacks, X amount numbers of tackles and all that, but as a D-Line I got high expectations for all of us,” said Jones.
LSU’s defensive line features two standout tackles in Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo. They are backed up by Jacobian Guillory, who is entering his third season at LSU. Guillory continues to show signs of getting better. A couple of transfers in Jordan Jefferson and Jalen Lee are also battling for playing time.
Playing opposite of Jones is Texas transfer Ovie Oghoufo, who has 13 career sacks. An up and coming edge rusher is former Madison Prep star Quency Wiggins and Oregon transfer Bradyn Swinson should also see the field as a top back-up. He appeared in 30 games for the Ducks. In 2021 he had three sacks while appearing in eleven games.
Jones and the LSU D-line is going up against an experienced offensive line in practice. He’s noticed the chemistry of that group.
“They’ve become more of a unit, even off the field, they all get on the bus at the same time, sit at the same table, I really feel the difference with them,” said Jones.