Five-star transfer cornerback Denver Harris and five-star offensive tackle Zalance Heard watched from the sidelines as Florida State handed LSU a blowout loss in the season opener.
Probably not the time to play a true freshman in Heard or Harris who missed time during preseason camp because of “personal matters.” But a home game against Grambling was the perfect time for Coach Brian Kelly to see what these ultra talented players could do.
After watching the right side of the line struggle against FSU, Kelly was eager to see what Heard could do at right tackle and Emery Jones at right guard. Heard entered last Saturday’s game in the second series and Kelly said Heard will play some more this Saturday against Mississippi State.
“He was physical at the point of contact, and we felt by and large for a first time in a collegiate football game he handled the emotions of the game very well. So, I think we are on track to do what we did in the last game with him in the next game as well. (Myles) Turner will start at guard, but there’s going to be a rotation there,” said Kelly.
Harris’ first start in an LSU uniform got off to a rocky start as he was called for a pass interference penalty and gave up a touchdown early on.
But Kelly likes Harris’ attitude as he continues to learn how to play in zone coverages.
“I liked his demeanor. He’s growing. He’s learning our coverages. He’s a press corner and we don’t play press. He’s learning and wants to get better. I want guys that want to be coached, and he wants to be coached.” The concern about LSU’s defensive secondary as a group remains, after a shaky start to the Grambling game. Kelly reminds everyone there are a lot of new faces in the defensive backfield.
“We are getting guys that are getting seasoned and that’s really what this is about, this is a process for some guys that haven’t played a lot of college football, we like the competitiveness, this is about leveraging the football, this is about being in the right technique, we like our guys this is going to be coaching and player development the entire season,” said Kelly.
With Mike Leach as the head coach at Mississippi State, you would have to worry about the Bulldogs air raid attack. But Kelly said with Zach Arnett replacing Leach, who passed away last December, the Bulldogs are now a team that sets up the pass with a strong running game.
“They want to run the football and that’s the change relative to their offensive structure, but they were explosive when they threw it and the design now is such that they are going to play to their defense and set up the run through play action pass and take shots down the field,” said Kelly.
In last Saturday’s overtime win over Arizona, Bulldogs senior quarterback Will Rogers completed just 13 passes on 17 attempts, but three of his passes went for touchdowns.
Rogers threw for 4,739 yards in 2021. 3,974 yards in 2022, but just 389 yards so far this year. The Brandon, Mississippi native is State’s all-time leading passer with 10,916. He’s thrown for 87 career touchdowns, which ranks ninth in SEC history, just one behind Tua Tagovailoa for eighth.
