A completely different LSU football team than the one that took the field versus Houston in the Texas Bowl began spring practice on Tuesday.
A new coaching staff led by Lane Kiffin, along with 59 new players, tries to come together in a very short period of time to make a run at a College Football Playoff appearance.
"We put together a good roster, but a long way away from being a good team," Kiffin said.
That's the main takeaway from the first spring practice of the Lane Kiffin era.
The media was allowed to watch the first 25 minutes of practice and saw the quarterbacks throw to a new group of receivers. Sam Leavitt was among the QBs trying to develop chemistry with his new pass catchers, but he will be limited as he recovers from Lisfranc surgery.
"He's moving around a little bit, but he can't do any team stuff," Kiffin said. "That was really kind of his first time doing much throwing and moving of his lower body. We expect by the end of spring, he'll be able to do a lot more."
With Leavitt limited, redshirt freshman Husan Longstreet (USC transfer) and redshirt sophomore Landen Clark (Elon transfer) will have more of an opportunity to get more first-team reps.
That's critical because Kiffin emphasized the importance of the quarterback in this up-tempo offense.
"It's a lot on that position in our system, because they drive everything, because we do go so fast. That's a lot on those guys. They're really like the point guard that if they don't know what they're doing really well and they don't drive it, then the system doesn't work as well as it has for a long time."
Outside of the quarterback, Jordan Seaton and Trey'Dez Green are two players who will have a significant impact on this offense.
Kiffin had to work hard to get Seaton to transfer to LSU after two stellar seasons at Colorado. A lot of financial resources were also provided to the potential first-round pick at left tackle. Kiffin has been impressed that Seaton is putting in the work, as he has trimmed down from 330 pounds to 307.
"I'll come up here, it will be Sunday at 9 PM, and he'll be out there doing his own stuff, and that's what we are trying to build here, where that becomes the norm," Kiffin said.
Kiffin has also been impressed with Green. Many are wondering how Kiffin will utilize the 6-foot-7 tight end.
"His skill set is ultra-elite," Kiffin said. "But so is his mindset, and that's really, really unique to have because they usually don't coincide."
The first-year coach is also impressed with his work ethic.
"He doesn't have another speed, he doesn't have another thought besides this is how you do things."
A big part of spring football will be learning the offensive and defensive systems, and the coaches learning what these players can do.
But building the culture will also be important. It seems like Seaton and Green are showing the way early on.
