Fall Camp Report: Day 3

Emphasis on turnovers; more freshmen join veterans

By JAMES MORAN
Tiger Rag Associate Editor

The Tigers put on shoulder pads for the first time to take to the practice field Saturday morning on the third day of LSU Fall Camp. Here’s some notes and observations from the varsity session.

1. Ball, ball, ball

The defense spent the entire first period open for media viewing rotating through drills emphasizing takeaways.

At one station, one defender wraps up a ball carrier while a second comes in and strips the ball, then scoops it up and runs the other direction. At another, defensive linemen are taught proper form for fall on the football. Defensive backs worked rehearsed breaking on passes.

Defense rotating though stations. Focus on takeaways. Here's OLBs doing strip, scoop + score #LSU https://t.co/DtvOKFdi6p

— James Moran (@SmartestMoran) August 6, 2016

First man wraps up. Second man goes for the ball #LSU https://t.co/rb0butF6a3

— James Moran (@SmartestMoran) August 6, 2016

DBs working scoop and score. pic.twitter.com/efEoJBs8ub

— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) August 6, 2016

2. Absentee Tracker

Left tackle Maea Teuhema (sprained ankle) and outside linebacker Tashawn Bower (unspecified “nick”) missed practice for the third consecutive day. In addition, left guard Will Clapp wasn’t at the morning session after practicing the first two days of camp.

Les Miles said LSU plans on bringing Clapp along slowly as he recovers from offseason hip surgery. Clapp said Thursday that his recovery is a month ahead of schedule, but that he considered the first few days of contact practices a hurdle he’s have to get through.

3. Freshmen Flavor

A couple more 2016 signees joined the veteran group Saturday:

– Rashard Lawrence worked with the defensive linemen.

Rashard Lawrence is working with the vets today. Here he is hitting the sled with O #LSU https://t.co/wmTrUBHsdU

— James Moran (@SmartestMoran) August 6, 2016

– Sci Martin worked with the outside linebackers.

Devin White still working with the veterans. Here he with Dave Aranda #LSU https://t.co/8TpCWO79h1

— James Moran (@SmartestMoran) August 6, 2016

 

Afternoon updates

Not much to add this afternoon. Media only got two periods, and there was no filming allowed.

My observations:

• LSU’s young receivers are huge. The quarterbacks and receivers/tight ends were working red zone routes against air. I’m not sure how teams can match up with the young Tigers one on one. They’re just too big. Stephen Sullivan, Jamal Pettigrew, Jazz Ferguson, Jacory Washington…these guys are all 6-foot-5 plus. If LSU’s QBs just put it up high, it’s tough for any corner or safety to defend.
• I like LSU’s depth at running back. Nick Brossette looks fully healed. He’s a heckuva fourth running back and could be in line to be a starter as a senior in a couple of years. I saw him make a couple nice grabs out of the backfield.
• I’m not sure how many freshmen get reps on defense come season’s start. Which is crazy to say. This was one of the best classes Les Miles has ever had. But outside of Devin White, Michael Divinity, Sci Martin, and Rashard Lawrence, I’m not sure who sees a ton of time. Saivion Smith, Ed Alexander, and Kiestian Fulton are in that next tier but have so much depth in front of them. Top to bottom this is one of the best rosters Les Miles has had at LSU.