Brian Kelly explains how DJ Chester earned starting OL nod in season-opener vs. USC

LSU is confident their offensive lines can be on the best in college football, getting its first test of the season against USC. Most of the star power is on the outside, with Will Campbell and Emery Jones manning the tackle positions. Brian Kelly did have some work to do on the interior, specifically at center with DJ Chester.

A second-year player, Chester has won the starting spot and will be snapping back to Garrett Nussmeier. Kelly knows center needs to be one of the more consistent positions on the field, something Chester has developed during the latter stages of fall camp.

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“I think he’s gone through those phases of natural development,” Kelly said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “He’s not ready to go to the NFL or he’s not first-team All-SEC, he’s got to go play. I think what DJ has done a much better job of over the last couple weeks is handled the consistency factor. The ability to come back and stack days together.

“I thought early in camp, he had a couple good days, and then he had a couple of days when you were like ‘Huh.’ Kind of head-scratchers. And we can’t have that at that position. The center position has to be one of your real consistent play for 72, 75 plays.”

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Kelly would not just throw anybody out there against USC. As much ridicule as the Trojans’ defense has gotten under Lincoln Riley, there are still a few studs on the defensive line. Bear Alexander was the name Kelly mentioned, believing a nice challenge is ahead of Chester.

“I thought that, from a maturity standpoint, he really understood that and settled in nicely these last couple weeks with really consistent play. And that’s why he will start for us against a very, very good defensive line and in particular, a big guy in Bear Alexander, who will probably be on his nose quite a bit. So, that’s a big challenge for a young guy but we think he’s up for it.”

Kickoff from Las Vegas is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. PT. Chester will have one of the tough assignments on the line of scrimmage but Kelly has faith the work put in the last few weeks will pay off when the lights are brightest.