2024 LSU FOOTBALL PREVIEW

7/7/2024

Photo By: Terrill Weil

Da Boot Sports
7/7/2024
By: Terrill J. Weil

BATON ROUGE, LA - LSU Fans once again have high expectations for their Fighting Tigers as the 2024 season approaches. The Bayou Bengals are coming off of a 10-3 season and will be without their electrifying Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Jayden Daniels as well as Malik Nabors and Brian Thomas III who have all moved on to the NFL. The big question mark for the upcoming campaign is the defense. Last season the Tigers defense was a horrorfest nightmare, causing LSU a legitimate shot at possibly playing for a national championship. If newly hired defensive coordinator Blake Baker can put a competitive defense on the field LSU should be tough to beat.

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW

2024 begins the Garrett Nussmeier era in Baton Rouge. The Junior gunslinger has the potential to be a special player. AJ Swann looks to be the backup as the Vanderbilt transfer brings solid SEC experience to the bayou.

Nussmeier will have quality weapons to work with. His top target is expected to be Senior Kyren Lacy who finished last season with 558 yards and seven touchdown grabs and should have a breakout season. Chris Hilton Jr., Aaron Anderson and Liberty transfer CJ Daniels will get their opportunity to step up and shine.
Look for tight end Mason Taylor to play a bigger role in the offensive attack in 2024.

LSU will need to establish a steady running attack to replace Jayden Daniels' 1,134 rushing yards. and amazing scrambles and runs. The Tigers have a nice stable of backs who will share the load. Josh Williams, Caleb Jackson, John Emery Jr. and four star true freshman Caden Durham are all capable backs. Redshirt Freshman Trey Holly is still listed on the team roster, but his future with the team is still a mystery.

The offensive line has got the be this team's biggest strength, with an experienced, talented group. The tackles are as solid as it gets with Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. . Miles Frazier and Garrett Dellinger are the guards. The only question mark will be at the center position where it looks like redshirt freshman DJ Chester will be the starter.

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW

The LSU defense was a train wreck in 2023, finishing this season 80th in scoring defense, giving up 27.8 points per game. Against Power Five competition, the Tigers’ points per game allowed jumps up to 34.3 points per game. LSU was also 104th in total defense, giving up 409.2 yards per game.
Brian Kelly fired defense coordinator Matt House and several defensive staff members, bringing in Blake Baker from Missouri to lead the defense. This unit can only geaux up after hitting rock bottom last season.

The defensive line lacks depth and will be a concern. Defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory will be an anchor up front. The 5th year senior needs to have a big season. Wisconsin transfer Gio Paez is currently a favorite to line up next to Guillory. Jalen Lee will also be counted on up front. Jay'vian Jones is a nice transfer portal addition who brings badly needed depth and experience to the defensive front.
Sai'vion Jones will be key at defensive end. At 6-6, 280 lbs, Jones should be a force on Saturdays. Bradyn Swinson should line up at the other end for the Tigers and is expected to be a productive piece of the defense. Da' Shawn Womack will get some snaps and has strong potential.

No doubt, the linebacker position is the strength of this defense. Looks like super talented Harold Perkins will be playing at weak side linebacker in 2024. No matter how LSU decides to use him, he will have an impact. Greg Penn III is as steady as it gets. Look for him to show improvement. Whit Weeks will be a big contributor. West Weeks brings veteran experience and true freshmen Tylen Singleton and Dahvon Keys will add talented depth.

The secondary struggled in 2023, but look for tremendous improvement this season. Zy Alexander will start at one cornerback spots. True freshman PJ Woodland was impressive in the spring and has an opportunity to see the field often. Ashton Stamps will be a key piece to the secondary. JK Johnson, Jyaire Brown and Javien Toviano add capable depth and should all should see snaps.
Sage Ryan will be the leader of this group. He is a playmaker and will be key to the Tigers defensive success. Jarden Gilbert should be a starter at free safety. The Texas A&M transfer brings solid coverage skills and a physical presence in the secondary. True freshman Dashawn McBryde is a beast and will contribute in 2024. Jardin Gilbert and Jordan Allen add solid depth.
Look for Major Burns to be a huge playmaker for the Tigers as he will be featured in a new position called the 'STAR'. Burns will be moving around and using his athletic ability to make game changing plays.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior Damian Ramos returns and should remain LSU's first team kicker. He has turned into an accurate and dependable place kicker.
Punting duties or up in the air. Both Blake Ochsendorf who just transferred from Louisiana Tech and Peyton Todd are battling it out for the top spot.
Look for Mississippi State transfer Zavion Thomas to be a big part of the return game. He adds much needed special teams experience for the Tigers. Kickoff returners may not be penciled in until closer to the beginning of the season. But expect the return game to improve tremendously.

Over all if these LSU team can stay healthy, play to their potential and have the ball bounced their way during key moments, they could very well find themselves qualify for the new NCAA 12-team playoff bracket. LSU will open their season on Sunday, September 1st against USC in Las Vegas. Get ready Tiger fans, the 2024 season is right around the corner.

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*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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