Brian Kelly provides update on Duce Chestnut, Denver Harris' status with LSU program

LSU head coach Brian Kelly provided an update on cornerbacks Duce Chestnut and Denver Harris during his press conference on Tuesday.

Both players have been away from the program for unspecified reasons for a substantial amount of time.

Duce Chestnut appeared in the first four games of the season but has not played since the Arkansas game on Sept. 23. Denver Harris has appeared in five games this season, with three starts. He has not seen action since the Auburn game on Oct. 14.

“You know, we’ll have to sit down. We have not sat down with them,” Brian Kelly said. “We’re going to wait until the end of the semester and then we’ll sit down and have individual conversations with both of them.”

Chestnut was ranked as a three-star cornerback and the No. 469 overall player in the country for the class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry rankings. He originally signed with Syracuse, before transferring to LSU

Chestnut recorded six tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception this season.

Harris also transferred in, coming from Texas A&M. He signed with the Aggies as a five-star recruit and the No. 23 overall player in the country in the class of 2022, according to the On3 Industry rankings.

Harris recorded seven tackles and two pass breakups this season.

Brian Kelly added that neither player will be with the team for the bowl game.

Brian Kelly addresses Jayden Daniels’ looming decision on bowl game

While Chestnut and Harris will not play in the bowl game, it remains to be seen if star quarterback Jayden Daniels will.

Daniels, who is a Heisman finalist, could opt to sit out the bowl game as he prepares for the NFL draft.

He has yet to decide if he’ll play in LSU’s ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Wisconsin, according to head coach Brian Kelly.

The Heisman Trophy finalist had the season of a lifetime and fans would love to see him play one more to put on a show. However, there is the risk of injury ahead of the NFL Draft in what is largely considered a meaningless game in the grand scheme of things.

So for now, Kelly is only going to support his quarterback and give him the tools to make the decision best for him.

“He has not (made a decision yet),” Kelly said. “He unfortunately had a death in the family and was gone for a few days. I spoke with him yesterday. He clearly knows the pros and the cons of this decision and I do too, right? Who wouldn’t want him to play? I mean, everybody would love to see Jayden Daniels play one last time. 

“I’m a fan. I’m his coach, but I’m a fan of Jayden Daniels, but he’s got to make a decision and clearly I see both sides of it. So, we’ll provide him with all the things necessary for him to make an informed decision. But he hasn’t got to that level yet.”

This season, Daniels has 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, four interceptions, 72.2% completion percentage, 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.