For four years, Bo Bordelon waited for his opportunity at LSU.
He waited behind other players. He changed positions. He contributed mostly on special teams.
Now, as a fifth-year senior, Bordelon finally has his chance to be a full-time starter for the Tigers.
The former Isidore Newman standout is expected to start at left guard when 11th-ranked LSU opens the season against 23rd-ranked Clemson on September 5 at Tiger Stadium.
Bordelon has been on LSU’s campus since 2022, but he’s made just one career start. That came at right guard in the Texas Bowl to close the 2024 season.
Last year, his opportunities were even more limited. Bordelon played just 23 offensive snaps, including nine at tight end in short-yardage situations. His biggest contribution came on special teams.
“Always just took it one day at a time, what can I do to get better today,” Bordelon said. “Then when it came down to gametime and stuff, it was like what can I do to help the team. I played special teams, I was on field goal, punt, I took pride in that. If it was my job on gameday, I was going to make sure I did it to 100%.”
Despite the limited playing time, Bordelon never considered leaving LSU.
He’s a legacy Tiger. His father, Ben Bordelon, was an LSU offensive lineman in the 1990s and later played professionally for the San Diego Chargers.
When Lane Kiffin took over as LSU’s head coach, Bordelon saw an opportunity for a fresh start.
“I asked them point blank. I said, ‘Look, all I want is a blank slate and a fresh opportunity,’ a chance to really get re-evaluated and show them what I can do. Let them not take whatever went on in the past with me, just kind of rebuild anew and have a blank slate. That’s all I really asked for,” Bordelon said.
Bordelon moved from right tackle to left guard and added weight during the offseason. With the help of offensive line coaches James Cregg and Eric Wolford, he earned the starting job during spring practice and has held onto it through preseason camp.
For Bordelon, the opportunity is a payoff for years of patience.
“They put a lot of faith in me, which I really appreciated. And they really went all in on me when I started playing well, trying to make me a better player,” Bordelon said. “They coached me hard, which is expected, and that’s what I want. I don’t want to be babied or whatever. I want to be pushed, so I think it was great just having a blank slate.”
Bordelon’s work ethic and commitment to LSU have earned the respect of his teammates.
Several have even suggested he should wear LSU’s coveted No. 18 jersey, which is awarded to a player who best represents the program on and off the field.
After spending four seasons waiting for his opportunity, Bordelon finally has it.
And this time, he’ll be lining up with the first-team offense when the Tigers take the field against Clemson.
