LSU kicks off SEC Football Media Days in Dallas Monday with Head Coach Brian Kelly. The Tigers will look to improve on a 10-and-3 season last year but will have to do so without Heisman winning quarterback and leading rusher Jayden Daniels. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne said he expects Kelly to replace Daniels’ production with an established traditional run game “powered by their offensive line, which is LSU’s strength. Of course, the tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones, who, I think, Kelly will tout as being the two top offensive tackles in the country on one of the top offensive lines.”
Horne said Kelly is confident in the talented arm of quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. While the offense may look different, it can be just as explosive with Nussmeier and his talented weapons. Horne said tight end Mason Taylor is set for a big year in all phases of the offense.
“Taylor is improving on his blocking and has throughout his career, but he is definitely a key strategic piece of the passing game, and they’re gonna utilize him probably more so this year than they’ve done in the past.”
Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. was a freshman All-American in 2022 but took a step back with the rest of the defense last year. He began the season as inside linebacker before being moved back outside, but Horne trusts new Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker to develop him as an off-ball linebacker…
“I think you’re gonna see Perkins line up at various places and be used by Baker that way, but I think his primary role is gonna be as an inside linebacker.”