Malik Nabers gives thoughts on LSU entering Top 25

Malik Nabers isn’t letting a fresh Top 25 spot for LSU take his eye away from the prize.

The Tigers snuck into the rankings at No. 25 following a victory over Auburn, but they feel like the recognition is long overdue. Looking to climb the rankings more, the LSU star wide receiver gave his thoughts on his team getting back to what’s expected of them.

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“I looked at it as you know, outside noise,” stated Nabers. “Being at LSU, you’re always supposed to be there. So it’s just being there now, it was just like a little let down for me, because I feel like we should’ve been there already. But we’re focusing on increasing as we go, so I feel like personally, that was just an outside distraction.”

On the season thus far, Nabers has hauled in 22 receptions for 290 receiving yards and one touchdown. He’s shown a great rapport with quarterback Jayden Daniels, and the Tigers offense is finally hitting their stride.

Indisputably, Malik Nabers has the right mindset for success moving forward, and LSU is on the up and up in their first season under Brian Kelly.

Malik Nabers on Tennessee: ‘They came out of nowhere’

Moreover, the LSU Tigers carry a four-game win streak into their Saturday matchup versus No. 8 Tennessee. Leading receiver Malik Nabers discussed what nabbing a win at home over the top-10 squad would mean on Tuesday while calling the Volunteers a squad that “came out of nowhere.”

“I would say it means a lot,” Nabers said on Tuesday. “Tennessee, they came out of nowhere, you know? They made a good team and they had a good team last year, just able to compete. We’re in the SEC so just being able to compete week in and week out, you know? It’s going to be great.”

The second-year contributor out of Youngsville, Louisiana knows it’s going to be up to him and the entire LSU offense to help keep the defense off the field. Josh Heupel’s squad is putting up 48.5 points per game this season. However, that number drops to 36 points in games versus top-25 opponents.

“We got to come out way faster, way more technique-wise, formation-wise,” Nabers said. “We got to come out making plays early because when you make early plays it sparks, it just increases on the defense and the offense … we have to keep our defense off the field longer.”

This season, Nabers is just six catches shy of his 2021 total. He has 22 receptions for 290 yards and a touchdown. In 2021, he broke out with 417 yards and four touchdowns as the Tigers went 6-6 in the regular season.