By JAMES MORAN | Tiger Rag Associate Editor
Nose tackle Tyler Shelvin will redshirt this season after receiving only partial clearance from the NCAA, meaning he can practice with the team but not play, LSU coach Ed Orgeron confirmed Saturday.
The news, which broke Friday night, leaves LSU with two scholarship nose tackles as the team completed its third preseason game Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium.
Senior Greg Gilmore is a returning starter at the position while sophomore Ed Alexander offers a massive frame — there’s a reason his nickname is Rougarou — and could assume a larger share the defensive line rotation.
LSU may be a bit thin at one of football’s thickest positions, but LSU isn’t sliding in reinforcements just yet.
“We were talking about (moving someone to nose tackle), but really we’re hoping with can go with Greg and Rougarou,” Orgeron said. “Obviously we have a lot of other guys who’ve played nose tackle along the line and we’re heavy at end.
“If we had to move somebody, I think we could. But we aren’t ready to do that yet.”
As of now, there’s relative clarity as to where LSU stands at the position.
Gilmore is the starter and has impressed so far in his first camp under LSU defensive line coach Pete Jenkins. Orgeron credited Gilmore for cutting down his body fat to report in better shape.
Meanwhile Alexander has battled injuries throughout camp that’ve caused him to miss practice time and set him back in terms of conditioning.
“They’re going to share reps,” Orgeron said. “Greg is in better condition. We’re going to have to limit Ed’s reps because he is battling an injury, so I think that puts Greg ahead of him.
“Ed is a tremendous football player, and as soon we can get him in the condition we want him in, he ought to be a dominant player.”
KEY TO SEE OWN DOCTOR
All-American edge rusher Arden Key will see his own doctor next week as LSU continues to wait for its sack artist to be cleared for full contact, Orgeron said.
The coach said Thursday that he didn’t expect Key to play in the season opener against BYU, and he reiterated Saturday that there’s been no setbacks in his recovery process from offseason shoulder surgery.
“He’s gotten better a lot faster than I thought he would,” Orgeron said. “I do believe we’re going to get him back at the beginning of the season. Don’t know exactly when. He’s going to see his doctors next week. Our doctors are going to talk and they’re going to make a decision and they’ll let me know.”
Asked if it’s irregular for players to see their own doctors instead of team physicians, Orgeron said it had been OK’ed be LSU’s doctors.
NUGGETS
– The kicking battle between Connor Culp and Jack Gonsulin remains ongoing, Orgeron said, but Saturday’s situation-intensive scrimmage will be factored heavily in determining special teams starters. Culp made a 53-yard field goal during the scrimmage, per Orgeron.
– Orgeron confirmed that walk-ons Caleb Lewis (QB) and Jonathan Rucker (LB) have been awarded scholarships.
– Saturday was wide receiver consultant Jerry Sullivan’s last day on the staff, Orgeron said. LSU had hired him to help out wide receiver coach Mickey Joseph during training camp.
– LSU intends to name a starting quarterback next week, Orgeron said, adding there’s been little separation to this point in the backup quarterback race.
– LSU will go through “Tell the Truth Monday” and then begin game planning for BYU on Tuesday, Orgeron said.
SCRIMMAGE STATS
Danny Etling: 13-22, 168 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Myles Brennan: 10-20, 122 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Lowell Narcisse: 0-2, rushing TD
Derrius Guice: 7 carries, 48 yards; 1 catch
Darrel Williams: 17 carries, 60 yards; 3 catches for 22 yards
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: 13 carries, 50 yards
Nick Brossette: 12 carries, 47 yards
JaCoby Stevens: 4 carries, 21 yards
D.J. Chark: 3 catches for 89 yards, 1 TD
Stephen Sullivan: 2 catches for 27 yards
Racey McMath: 2 catches for 25 yards
Derrick Dillon: 2 catches for 22 yards
Drake Davis: 2 catches for 13 yards
Justin Jefferson: TD catch (from Brennan)
Russell Gage, Foster Moreau and Jamal Pettigrew: 1 catch each
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