Will freshman Lance Heard become an LSU starter?

LSU’s 72-10 win over Grambling State saw more than 80 Tigers get onto the field, but one position was put under the microscope more than others.

In a Week 1 loss to Florida State, the right side of the LSU offensive line struggled against a talented Seminoles front.

Ahead of the Week 2 matchup with GSU, LSU head coach Brian Kelly said the Tigers were entering the game with hopes of testing out a new combination on the right side.

The goal: getting true freshman and former five-star offensive tackle Lance Heard onto the field for the first time.

LSU puts the focus on getting Heard first-team reps

LSU returned five starters on the offensive line, and the group got the large majority of the first-team reps in fall camp.

Charles Turner is back as the team’s starting center, while Will Campbell and Emery Jones returned as the starters at offensive tackle after both won starting jobs as true freshmen in 2022.

At the guard spots, the Tigers rolled with Garrett Dellinger on the left side and Miles Frazier on the right side.

When Frazier struggled against FSU, Kelly said the Tigers were ready to see if Heard could help. That meant putting the true freshman at right tackle and sliding Emery Jones inside to right guard.

“I think part of it was to take (a true freshman) offensive tackle going against Florida State’s defensive ends didn’t seem to be the smartest thing to do in week one,” Kelly said ahead of the GSU game. “But week two I think this is a good opportunity to get (Heard) in and give him an opportunity to play a little bit. Excited about the chance to see him play.”

By the time the clock hit zero after Saturday night’s win, LSU’s staff had done enough to get plenty of film of Heard in action.

With 54 snaps, Heard played more than any non-starter on LSU’s roster. He also out-snapped Frazier, who finished the game with 48 snaps played after giving way to Jones at right guard and Heard at right tackle.

“That was what we were really focused on,” Kelly said after the game. “Getting that evaluation. We know the rotational pieces there. It will be interesting film to watch.

“The big one for us is Heard at the right tackle position.”

As Kelly noted, the move to get Heard onto the field not only puts a former five-star into the first-team unit, but also allows LSU’s current starting right tackle – Jones – the opportunity to get playing time at his natural position.

“Emery is a much more suited to play multiple positions when he moves on. A guy who could play center, guard and probably get you out of trouble playing tackle at the next level,” Kelly said. “Lance is a tackle with his length. They’re a little bit different, but I’d say they’re similar in terms of their demeanor, the way they approach things on a day to day basis.

“They’re great workers, great in the classroom and take their work very seriously. I think there are a lot of traits that are similar that allow freshmen to compete for starting positions and he’s got that kind of makeup.”

On3’s Charles Power weighs in on LSU’s decision

On3 National Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power saw Heard plenty in high school, and his final 98 ratings grade made the Louisiana native a five-star and the No. 2 offensive tackle prospect in the 2023 class.

After watching Jones at both Catholic High and during his freshman season in Baton Rouge, Power said the decision to shuffle up LSU’s starting five is the right one.

“Heard playing at right tackle and Jones sliding inside to guard is something many of us saw as a strong possibility for LSU at some point this season given that, I think, it gets the five best talents on the offensive line onto the field for the Tigers,” Power said.

“Heard has experience playing on both sides of the line at left tackle and right tackle during his high school career. The first time I ever saw him play at Neville, he was playing right tackle (opposite Will Campbell). I think that’s a natural fit for him, and pairing him with his high school teammate in Will Campbell, it gives LSU one of the more gifted and talented duos in the SEC. Obviously he’s going to need to get his feet wet against college competition, but we are very high on his upside as a five-star prospect.”

With Jones seeing first-team reps at right guard, Power said the body of work from the sophomore bodes well for the Baton Rouge native moving forward.

“I think the fact that Emery has held up well playing tackle, and playing out of position, bodes really well for him playing guard,” Power said. “He is a road grader, a big body and a guy who is going to grade well as a run blocker and pass protector sliding inside. It will be a little easier for him than being on an island against pass rushers.

“This gets LSU’s five most-gifted linemen onto the field. I think the biggest thing from here on out is getting Heard comfortable against college competition. But based off we saw from him as a high school prospect, he’s a quick study. He’s kind of natural. It will be fun to watch. I think this was a matter of when, not if, they would try this.”