Starting defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko is expected to be back for the Alabama game, LSU coach Ed Orgeron said on Tuesday.
Fehoko didn’t play against Mississippi State due to an elbow injury, but the coach said he’ll be back to full strength following the bye week.
“He’s going to be back,” Orgeron said during an interview with Off the Bench on ESPN 104.5 Tuesday morning. “He should be back 100 percent.”
During an appearance at the New Orleans QB Club later Tuesday morning, Orgeron added that Fehoko could have played against the Bulldogs in an emergency situation. He dressed out for the game with a large wrap around his elbow.
Fehoko returned to practice on Tuesday afternoon, though it’s harder to gauge his participation level because LSU didn’t practice in pads. He had a much smaller brace on his elbow than the contraption he was sporting on Saturday night.
BRUMFIELD QUESTIONABLE
Orgeron expressed hope in recent weeks that ailing left guard Garrett Brumfield would be able to make it back in time for the Alabama game.
As LSU began its bye week preparations, the coach didn’t seem optimistic that Brumfield’s knee would be healed enough by next Saturday night.
“I don’t know,” Orgeron said. “He was 60 percent last week. How much can he heal up this week and next week? I don’t know. He’s questionable. Maybe he may play, but I’m doubtful.”
For what it’s worth, Brumfield was present at practice on Tuesday and participated in some individual drills. He had braces on both of his knees.
BYE WEEK CROOTIN
Orgeron, as much as any coach you’ll meet, understands that everything is recruiting when it comes to college football. He’s acutely aware that it is the lifeblood of his program.
As such, Orgeron has put an emphasis on recruiting during the pre-Alabama bye week since taking over the program — and this year is no different. He and his position coaches will be on the trail for much of this week while coordinators Steve Ensminger and Dave Aranda work on the game plan for Alabama.
Speaking in New Orleans, the coaches shared some insight on his recruiting plan and made some not-so-subtle overtures about blue chip prospects around the state.
On the subject of running backs, Orgeron hinted at LSU’s continued recruitment of five-star Destrehan running back John Emery. LSU has been working to flip Emery since he committed to Georgia late in the summer.
“We think LSU should get the best running back in the country,” Orgeron said. “There’s one not far from here.”
One of his first stops this week was Amite High School, home to five-star defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher.
LSU and Alabama are believed to be the top two contenders for his considerable talents, and the Crimson Tide have had more success in signing players out of Amite than Orgeron would like.
“It’s a battle,” Orgeron said of recruiting Amite. “Amite is usually the first school I go to, and I’ve been to Amite already. Obviously, that’s an area we have to capture, and we’re in a battle for it. That’s all I’m going to say.”
One more nugget on the recruiting front: Orgeron reiterated that he’d like to add a second quarterback to LSU’s 2019 class. The Tigers already hold a commitment from dual-threat quarterback Peter Parrish.
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