Brian Kelly expects Kyren Lacy to have monster season in 2024

LSU has a long history of producing elite wide receivers. From Justin Jefferson, to Odell Beckham Jr., to more recently Malik Nabers, the Tigers have routinely had receivers that are among the best in the country. Brian Kelly said ahead of Saturday’s spring game that he believes Kyren Lacy is ready to be next.

The fifth-year senior is back for another year after catching 30 passes for 558 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.

With Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. off to the NFL, Kelly expects Kyren Lacy to be an absolute star this fall.

“It’s Kyren Lacy,” Brian Kelly said of the Tigers wideout who is poised for a breakout year. “I think more than anything else, he was the No. 3 guy last year. He becomes the No. 1 guy this year. And the history and tradition of wide receiver play at LSU, that’s a pretty high bar. But I think he’s met it this spring and now he gets a chance to really carry that mantle going into this [spring] game.”

Saying that a receiver is at the same level of past LSU greats is obviously incredibly high praise.

It remains to be seen if Kyren Lacy is ready to live up to that billing, but LSU fans have to be encouraged by hearing Kelly say that.

Lacy started his college career at Louisiana-Lafayette, spending a pair of seasons there. He caught 50 passes for nearly 700 yards over those two seasons, before transferring to LSU.

Lacy made a pair of starts and appeared in 14 games during his first year in Baton Rouge in 2022. He finished with 24 catches for 268 yards.

In 2023, Lacy appeared in 13 games, with 10 starts. He’s now ready to take another step forward.

Brian Kelly shares how LSU offense will be different with new OC, QB

In addition to losing a couple of stud receivers, LSU also lost Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock following the 2023 season.

Still, Tigers head coach Brian Kelly has a lot of confidence in the LSU offense entering 2024. Kelly spoke with ESPN ahead of the spring game on Saturday about how the offense will be different but can still be successful in 2024.

“I think where you try to focus is the running game,” Brian Kelly said. “An outstanding offensive line, you return a great offensive line. Let’s lean on them. Let’s give them the opportunity to show their ability to control the line of scrimmage.”