LSU roster decimated due to turnover entering Texas Bowl

The LSU Tigers are going to be extremely shorthanded in the Texas Bowl against Kansas State on Tuesday.

LSU released its depth chart for the Texas Bowl, and it shows just how depleted the roster is at this point in the season. The Tigers have been decimated by injuries, opt outs, and the NCAA Transfer Portal over the last month.

The depth chart #LSU released for Tuesday’s Texas Bowl.

Drives home just how depleted the roster is. Barely 40 guys available who arrived at LSU on scholarship.

CB is most notable. Freshman Damarius McGhee, Nicholls transfer Darren Evans + walk-on Lloyd Cole only ones listed. pic.twitter.com/QOXYDoFadU

— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) January 2, 2022

There are just three cornerbacks listed on the LSU depth chart. One is a freshman, one is a transfer and the other is a walk-on.

In addition to a decimated roster, LSU will also have an interim head coach during the Texas Bowl. It was announced during the season that head coach Ed Orgeron would be leaving LSU after the season, and that happened upon the conclusion of the regular season. LSU hired Brian Kelly from Notre Dame to replace Orgeron, although Kelly will not coach in the Texas Bowl. Instead, interim head coach Brad Davis will lead the Tigers against Kansas State.

Garrett Nussmeier is set to start at quarterback in Texas Bowl for LSU

The decision on whether or not to redshirt Garrett Nussmeier has been an ongoing debate throughout the second half of the season for LSU. Orgeron decided to redshirt Nussmeier before that decision flipped. Then, Nussmeier again was intending to redshirt.

With Max Johnson transferring away and other injuries at the position, it appeared that it was back to Nussmeier at quarterback for LSU in the Texas Bowl. But doing so would be his fifth game of the season, which would burn his redshirt. Brad Davis addressed the quarterback position after the regular season.

“So, the quarterback situation obviously is something everybody wants to know about. We’re put we’ve put together a plan here that we feel really great about,” Davis said. “You know we have a multitude of quarterbacks taking reps during practice, Garrett Nussmeier being one of them. We’re working through some things right now to be able to have him play for us and still maintain his red shirt.

“And so that’s something obviously that’s in process you know and if that were denied for whatever reason, we have some contingencies in place. We will be able to move the football with execute our offense.”

LSU enters the Texas Bowl at 6-6, while Kansas State is 7-5. The Tigers pulled off a massive upset in the final game of the regular season, beating Texas A&M 27-24. Kansas State lost its final two games against Baylor and Texas.