LSU spring game: Tigers storylines, questions and players to watch Saturday

Brian Kelly left Notre Dame for LSU to win a national championship.

Point blank. 

Those are the expectations in Baton Rouge, and Kelly has made it no secret that he wanted to coach and recruit the best players in the SEC.  LSU’s last three coaches all won a national championship, yet as currently constructed, the Tigers are not a potential title team in 2022. 

After a tumultuous last two seasons in Baton Rouge, Kelly inherited a roster in shambles, so he recruited a record-number of transfers in hopes to least make LSU competitive again in the SEC West in 2022. The Tigers added multiple corners, safeties, offensive linemen and defensive linemen via the portal, giving their roster an instant makeover. This spring, Kelly has juggled a “hotly tested” — his words — quarterback battle between Myles Brennen, Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels and sophomore Garrett Nussmeier, with all three quarterbacks impressive at various moments. 

All will be on display Saturday for LSU’s spring game (2 p.m., SEC Network+), so here are a few storylines, questions and players to keep an eye on. 

What clues can we ascertain in the LSU quarterback battle?

Brennen and Daniels have been labeled the likeliest starters for LSU come Labor Day weekend against Florida State, but Nussmeier has generated as much buzz as anyone during spring practices. All three QBs think they deserve to start. 

Kelly brought in Mike Denbrock from Cincinnati as his offensive coordinator, and both coaches (typically) prefer a dual-threat talent under center. That’s definitely not Brennen, and not really Nussmeier either, so that means it has to be Daniels, right?

Not necessarily. The former ASU quarterback has regressed since a strong freshman season, and must show improvement with his accuracy and pocket awareness/decision making. Will we see that Saturday?
How are the reps divided between the three candidates?

A new-look DBU?

With Derek Stingley Jr. off to the NFL and Eli Ricks transferring to Alabama, Kelly reloaded LSU’s secondary with five transfer portal additions. 

The Tigers did not live up to their self-titled DBU moniker in 2021, finishing 11th in the SEC in pass defense and intercepting a conference-low eight passes. 

Kelly swiped veterans Greg Brooks Jr. and Joe Foucha from Arkansas. All-Big 12 corner Jarrick Bernard transferred from Oklahoma State and Ohio State corner Sevyn Banks recently announced his decision to play for the Tigers. The Tigers also added Mekhi Garner from Louisiana-Lafayette.

All will be in action Saturday except for Banks and Bernard, who injured his foot during LSU’s spring practice. 

Brooks Jr. has really impressed during camp, and should be a playmaker at nickel for the Tigers. Foucha figures to start at safety, with Bernard projected to lock down one of the corner spots. The issue is the depth behind them. 

LSU is still thin at corner and safety, so it needs underclassmen like Major Burns, a former transfer from Georgia, Damarius McGhee, Sage Ryan and others continue to develop. 

Does John Emery Jr. finally flash his five-star talent?

Four years ago, LSU won a big recruiting battle over Georgia for 5-star tailback John Emery Jr. 

But it’s been a struggle for the former Top-15 overall recruit to find his footing with the Tigers. 

In three seasons, Emery Jr. has just 114 carries. He missed all of 2021 due to academic issues, but there have been whispers this spring that he’s ready to finally emerge. 

Kelly wants a power running game as the nexus of LSU’s offense, and at 5-11, 218-pounds with speed, Emery has a chance to be that guy. The Tigers do have a crowded backfield room with Emery, Noah Cain, Armoni Goodwin, Josh Williams and Tre Bradford all fighting for carries.

Emery battled a minor ankle injury late in camp, but he is expected to play Saturday, so it will be curious if he finally flashes his electric talent.

How’s the LSU offensive line looking?

Outside of quarterback, LSU’s offensive line has been perhaps the most discussed storyline all spring. 

Can the Tigers field a functional five-man unit? They don’t return a single seasoned starter off a group that was mostly bad in 2021. 

Kelly did sign five-star in-state tackle Will Campbell, who has reportedly looked the part throughout the spring. Will he start at left tackle?

We’ll see but Campbell’s quick emergence has allowed LSU’s OL to stabilize somewhat, with transfers Tre’mond Shorts from East Tennessee State and Miles Frazier from FIU competing at guard with Marcus Dumervil and Cam Wire battling at right tackle. Charles Turner can play multiple spots up front, but is the favorite to be the team’s starting center. 

Depending on how the OL looks Saturday, Kelly may not be done mining the portal for more help. We’ll see.