LSU is set to open spring practice Saturday with a roster that will look very different from the one that won a national championship in January.
The Tigers return several key contributors like Biletnikoff Award winning receiver Ja’Marr Chase but are also looking to replace Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Joe Burrow.
Fans will get their first look at the 2020 Tigers April 18 when LSU plays it Spring Scrimmage at A.W. Mumford Stadium on Southern’s campus.
Here’s a look at LSU’s depth chart heading into spring practice.
Quarterback
Key departure: Joe Burrow
Key returner: Myles Brennan, Peter Parrish
Newcomers: TJ Finley, Max Johnson
Junior Myles Brennan has big shoes to fill following the projected top pick in the NFL Draft Joe Burrow’s record-breaking year. Orgeron said Brennan has been phenomenal in workouts and has become more of a vocal leader the past few months.
“I’ve heard him talk to guys when we have to go back, ‘Come on man, get this done,’” Orgeron said.
Orgeron also said Brennan has been diligently studying film and showing the work ethic it takes to lead LSU’s offense.
“I think we are going to have one heck of a player,” Orgeron said. “I’ve always believed in Myles, I believe he is a championship quarterback. I believe he is going to be great for us.”
Key departure: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Key returners: Chris Curry, Tyrion Davis-Price, John Emery
Edwards-Helaire declared for the NFL Draft after one of the most productive seasons a running back has had in Baton Rouge. LSU has a group of backs that will see the field this season and Orgeron said “all three are starters.”
Curry demonstrated his ability in LSU’s College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Oklahoma when he started in place of an injured Edwards-Helaire. Curry tallied 89 yards in that game and Orgeron compared his play style to NFL running back Marshawn Lynch.
Davis-Price served as LSU’s primary backup last season and rushed for 290 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Orgeron described his other running back, Emery, as “electric.” Emery flash those traits last season rushing for 196 yards and four touchdowns on just 39 carries.
The Tigers’ head coach said he’s looking to see all three backs improve on catching the ball out of the backfield
“I don’t know if we will have one like Clyde who was that good,” Orgeron said. “You saw his combine, his routes, his angle routes, he’s phenomenal. But we got to work on it.”
Key departure: Justin Jefferson
Key returners: Ja’Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall, Racey McMath
Newcomers: Trey Palmer
Jefferson had a record-breaking year for LSU, but the Tigers’ returning receivers combined to score 35 touchdowns last 2019 led by Chase who led the nation with 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. Chase will wear LSU’s No. 7 this Spring and Fall and Orgeron expects the same production from the former Rummel star, despite expecting defenses to focus on him.
“He’s going to get it done,” Orgeron said. “I have no questions he’s going to get it done. We have (incoming freshman) Kayshon Boutte, he’s going to be an excellent receiver. We are still are going to be in the empty package. We are still going to throw the ball. Nothing is changing from last year.”
Tight end
Key departures: Thaddeus Moss, Stephen Sullivan
Key returners: Jamal Pettigrew
Key newcomers: Arik Gilbert, Kole Taylor, Aaron Moffitt.
Former St. Augustine standout Jamal Pettigrew will be get the first team reps heading into the Spring as early enrollee Arik Gilbert is out. Orgeron also said Kole Taylor and Aaron Moffitt will receive reps as the Tigers look to follow up the most productive season a tight end has had in Baton Rouge, Moss’ 47-catch, 570-yard campaign.
Offensive line
Key departure: Lloyd Cushenberry, Damien Lewis, Adrian Magee
Key returners: Ed Ingram, Austin Deculus
Newcomers: Kardell Thomas, Joe Evans, Anthony Bradford
Orgeron said the LSU is a bit thin on the Offensive line heading into the Spring practices. Ed Ingram, and Austin Deculus were key contributors last season and will be again in 2020. At right guard Orgeron said frehsmen Anthony Bradford and Kardell Thomas, who missed last season with an injury will get most of the reps.
Chasen Hines “has to prove himself” at center Orgeron said and Joe Evans has moved from defensive line to the offensive line and will compete at center.
Charles Turner will work at center and play some tackle. Cameron Wire will see most of the snaps at left tackle as Dare Rosenthal, who Orgeron “thought was having an excellent practice, is going to be an excellent tackle and play in the NFL” has left school for personal reasons.
Rosenthal is expected to return to the team this summer but his absence will give Thomas Perry an opportunity to compete for playing time.
Key departure: Rashard Lawrence, Breiden Fehoko, K’lavon Chaisson
Key returners: Tyler Shelvin, Siaki Ika, Neil Farrell, Glen Logan
Newcomers: T.K. McClendon
LSU is shifting to a 4-3 defense and despite loosing several key contributors from last season’s team Orgeron believes the Tigers have a very deep group.
McLendon, a former tight end, is penciled as the starting defensive end with Jarell Cherry working as his backup.
Tyler Shelvin returns as the Tigers starting nose tackle along with sophomore Siaki Ika, who saw playing time last season.
Key departure: Patrick Queen, Jacob Phillips, Michael Divinity Jr.
Key returners: Damone Clark, Micah Baskerville
Newcomers: Ray Thornton, Marcel Brooks, Devonta Lee
Damone Clark and Micah Baskerville both saw playing time last season and head into Spring practice as LSU’s top returning linebackers.
Converted pass rushers Ray Thornton and Marcel Brooks have will work at inside linebacker as well as bringing a lot of speed to the unit.
Orgeron expects Brooks “to be a next level linebacker” once he acclimates to his new position in the defense.
Lee lined up at receiver last year but the Tigers’ coaches feel the redshirt freshman can be a special player on the defensive side of the ball.
Key departure: Kristian Fulton
Key returners: Derek Stingley Jr., Jay Ward, Cordale Flott, Kary Vincent Jr.
Newcomers: Elias Ricks
Several of LSU’s true freshman saw playing time last season with consensus All-American Derek Stingley Jr. establishing himself as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks. Freshman Elias Ricks is expected to compete for the starting job opposite of Stingley but Orgeron said he will be limited this Spring.
Jay Ward and Raydarious Jones will also work at cornerback with ward seeing snaps at nickel along with Cordale Flott who impressed during his freshman season.
Senior Kary Vincent is out of Spring ball while he runs track, an absence Orgeron boasted about.
Key departure: Grant Delpit
Key returners: Todd Harris, Jacoby Stevens, Maurice Hampton
Newcomer: Cameron Lewis, Jordan Toles
Defensive leader Jacoby Stevens heads into Spring as LSU’s top safety.
Hampton started some games for the Tigers last season but is out this Spring as he’s a member of LSU’s baseball team. Cameron Lewis and Jordan Toles will both see alot of work at strong safety this Spring. Toles particularly has Orgeron excited.
“He’s got speed, he’s got burst. I can’t wait to see him put the pads on,” Orgeron said.
Harris is expected to be out for the Spring but Orgeron said he might get "couple of plays."
Special teams
Key departure: Blake Ferguson
Key returners: Cade York, Zach Von Rosenberg
Newcomer: Quentin Skinner
The special teams unit remains largely unchanged with the exception of deep snapper where Quentin Skinner will compete to replace Blake Ferguson who’s departed for the NFL.
