Bleacher Report - LSU Football

LSU Offers Scholarship to Snoop Lion's Son, 2015 WR Cordell Broadus

Andrew Kulha — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:57:16 -0400

Cordell Broadus, a 4-star wide receiver in the class of 2015, has received an offer from LSU, according to Lyons Yellin of The Times-Picayune. Outside of USC, this is easily Broadus' biggest offer to date.

Broadus, the son of legendary rapper Snoop Lion, known as Snoop Dogg, is 6'2", 180 pounds, and runs a 4.50 40-yard dash, according to 247Sports. He is the No. 7 wideout in the 2015 class, according to the 247Sports composite.

Broadus is not receiving "celebrity offers." He's a legitimate talent and an intriguing college football recruit. He wouldn't be such a highly ranked receiver if that weren't the case.

He's a big receiver with good length and athleticism. He gets separation because of his quick footwork and route-running ability. Broadus has the speed to break a defender's cushion on vertical routes, but he'll also be a threat to pick up yards after the catch on shorter routes. He's shifty for a wide receiver, and he displays good vision and strength as a runner.

He also has good hands and should be a major impact player in the red zone, whether because of his ability to run after the catch or go up and get the ball over smaller defenders.

Along with USC and LSU, Broadus has offers (via 247Sports) from Arizona State, California, Duke, Oregon State, Tennessee, UCLA and Washington.

Note: All scouting and analysis done via tape study of film provided on Broadus' 247Sports profile page.

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LSU Head Coach Les Miles Won't Get His Wish Regarding Future SEC Scheduling

Barrett Sallee — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:28:11 -0400

Election season is typically the time where campaigning reaches an all-time high. But for SEC head coaches, the time to campaign for the future of the SEC's scheduling format is now.

The conference is expected to adopt a long-term scheduling format next week during the annual SEC spring meetings in Destin, Fla. That format could include the addition of a ninth conference game and/or the elimination of permanent cross-division rivalries.

LSU head coach Les Miles made waves after spring practice, when he voiced his displeasure for permanent cross-division rivalries within the SEC's 6-1-1 scheduling format. But he wasn't done.

Miles appeared on the Tim Brando Show on Sirius/XM radio and CBS Sports Network on Wednesday, where he made his case for the future scheduling format of the SEC.

"I recognize that we play in one of the more conferences and that week-in week-out, we're going to play our share of great teams," Miles said. "If you play the six teams from your division and two from the other division and rotate them through, you're going to play some great teams."

In the format, teams play all six teams from their own division, one rotating opponent from the other division and one team from the other division which is an annual fixture on the schedule.

The reason for the permanent cross-division rivalries is to protect long-standing SEC rivalries like Alabama vs. Tennessee and Auburn vs. Georgia after the divisional split prior to the 1992 season.

Since LSU is paired up with Florida, it gets the short end of the stick. Brando noted that since 2000, LSU has played Florida and Georgia—the two most powerful teams from the East—17 times while Alabama has only played the duo eight times.

Unfair? Yes. But it isn't changing any time soon.

Why?

The SEC is now heavily involved in the programming business.

The new SEC Network that launches on cable and satellite providers in August 2014 will feature three SEC games per weekend for 13 weekends. That makes providing top-tier inventory a priority for the SEC, and eliminating traditional rivalries that created the foundation of the conference fly in direct opposition of that.

Miles contended that keeping the current eight-game conference schedule and allowing programs to continue to schedule quality out-of-conference matchups would provide quality inventory.

"You have an opportunity to look around in this country and go play other opponents and in different conferences in different places," Miles told Brando. "I think TV content can be served in those four games just as comfortably as a nine-game [conference] schedule."

Well no, it can't. If you're scheduling a home-and-home series with an out-of-conference opponent, that opponent typically holds the media rights when the game is away from Baton Rouge.

That doesn't help the SEC's television interest from a business standpoint, it hurts it.

The combination of an eight-game conference schedule and the elimination of permanent non-division rivalries is simply not realistic. Not in this landscape.

While the big-time cross-division rivalries like Alabama vs. Tennessee and Auburn vs. Georgia won't directly impact the SEC Network since they will likely land on CBS or ESPN , they will knock other quality matchups down in the pecking order.

So what's the compromise?

Considering what Miles wants, there really isn't one.

A nine-game conference schedule that keeps the permanent cross-division rivalries intact, incorporating the new Missouri vs. Arkansas and Texas A&M vs. South Carolina matchups, would limit creating more crossover between divisions. That wouldn't necessarily make things easier for LSU, but it would, in theory, make things harder for teams that have benefited lately from scheduling quirks.

It also would create more inventory, which—fair or not—benefits everybody long-term. Miles included.

*Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were taken from the Tim Brando Show on CBS Sports Network (full video of the interview below)

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Les Miles' Biggest Challenges for the LSU Tigers in 2013

Jake Martin — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:00:00 -0400

It's time for Les Miles to earn that $3.75 million annual salary, not that he hasn't already.

In order for the Tigers to win an SEC Championship and win another national championship in 2013, Miles must produce one of his greatest coaching jobs to date.

His job begins internally. Here again, aren't we Tigers fans? Oh the headaches these players induce with their troublemaking.

Overcoming departures/suspensions

Before we get into all that, first things first—fill the gaps. This is what Miles is best at.

Miles can recruit with the best of them, and because of this, he has plenty of talented players to choose from. So when Tigers fans worry about filling the gaps on the defensive side of the ball, I simply say, rest easy—The Mad Hatter has plenty of tools in his toolbox.

The defensive line is depleted, but Anthony Johnson returns, along with many flashy 4-star newcomers such as Frank Herron, Tashawn Bower, Kendell Beckwith, Maquedius Bain and Greg Gilmore.

Will they be as effective as M&M (Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo) and Bennie Logan? Eh, that's not likely, but they'll be talented nonetheless.

As for the linebacker position, this is where LSU's fantastic 2012 recruiting class comes in handy. You know, the one LSU fans moaned about. The Tigers recruited three linebackers in the ESPN 150 that year.

That's all good news...Are you ready for the bad news? The Tigers may have to play this season without Jeremy Hill at running back. "Big deal, this happens every year. Somebody new will step up," a Tigers fan will usually say.

Normally that's the case, but this year is different. The Tigers no longer have Spencer Ware and Michael Ford, and who knows if Alfred Blue will return to form after injuring his knee last season? That puts a heavy load on Kenny Hilliard. Meanwhile, Terrence Magee will have to step up and be a regular contributor.

Behind a strong offensive line, Blue, Hilliard and Magee can carry the load for the Tigers, but that means they must all remain healthy. Here's to hoping Hill's legal troubles don't sideline him too long. To go along with that, here's to hoping LSU players stay out of the bars this offseason.

Overcoming a daunting schedule

SEC scheduling rant commence. Just who is booking these SEC schedules nowadays?

Is it a coincidence that Texas A&M and Alabama have the easiest schedules in the conference? There's no sense in sugarcoating it. This is the toughest schedule LSU has inherited in the past decade, and meanwhile, the Aggies and Crimson Tide benefit from much easier schedules.

Via ESPN Video, Miles has already set the pace for this schedule with his comments about it a few weeks ago: "We like to think there's only one school in the country that can go through it."

Taking it one game at a time will be a must for the Tigers. Besides UAB, Kent State and Furman, LSU will face two of the top three teams from the SEC East, SEC West and TCU.

To quote, via the Sporting News, the always quotable Les Miles, "Strap it up," boys.

Putting the offense in the hands of Cam Cameron

Change can be good.

Miles has to realize this after the Tigers had a meltdown in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson. It's time to hand the offense over to somebody who knows what he's doing.

Cam Cameron is that man.

Cameron has done nothing but impress since he's accepted the offensive coordinator position. Sure, the Tigers have yet to play their first game, but hurrying up the offense, utilizing more spread formations and giving Zach Mettenberger more options (spreading running backs wide) in the spring are a great start.

It might be somewhat delusional to expect Cameron to come in and contribute greatly in his first year, but then again, isn't that what LSU is all about? Just like Miles successfully inserts freshmen into the offense and defense, Cameron will impressively fine-tune the offense, 2007 Gary Crowton style (when his play-calling was innovative).

Yes, the deck is stacked heavily against the Tigers this year, but we've seen crazier things happen with Miles serving as the Tigers head coach. Missouri and West Virginia getting upset to allow a two-loss LSU team to advance to the national championship game in 2007 ring any bells?

Stay optimistic, Tigers fans.

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D'haquille Williams Decommits from LSU: Tigers Lose No. 1 JUCO WR

Andrew Kulha — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:25:44 -0400

LSU's 2014 recruiting class has taken a huge hit, as it's being reported that 5-star JUCO wide receiver D'haquille Williams has decommitted.

Per his Twitter account, Taylor Hamm of 247Sports cites a text he received from Williams saying that he'd decommited from the Tigers:

Williams has elite measurables, checking in at 6'3'', 213 pounds, running a 4.40 40, according to 247Sports. He's also ranked as the No. 1 JUCO wideout in the nation and the No. 1 JUCO recruit in the 2014 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

As far as JUCO players are concerned, Williams is the best of the best, so losing his commitment is a massive blow to LSU's recruiting efforts in 2014.

He committed to LSU earlier in May, but apparently he's ready to re-open his process. Shea Dixon of Geaux247.com tweeted that Williams decommitted from LSU so he could "experience" the recruiting process:

If there's any good news for LSU here, it's that the Tigers still have a class of nine with incredible potential. They boast the commitment of 5-star safety Edward Paris, as well as 4-star offensive guard Garrett Brumfield.

LSU is also in the running for elite recruits such as 5-star running back Leonard Fournette. He's No. 1 player in the 2014 class, according to 247Sports Composite, and lists the Tigers as one of his top two choices. In addition, LSU is either the leading or second choice of 5-star offensive tackle Cameron Robinson (top two), 5-star cornerback Tony Brown (leader) and 5-star safety Laurence Jones (leader).

Les Miles and his staff still have the ability to bring in a class that still could be the best in the nation, so there's still plenty to look forward to if you're an LSU fan.

That doesn't take away from the magnitude of this recruiting loss, though.

Williams could have been a major deep threat in LSU's offense, so unless he was to re-commit (always a possibility), losing out on his commitment will go down as a major negativet during an otherwise positive recruiting cycle for the Tigers.

All player ratings courtesy of 247 Sports.

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Can LSU Join Alabama, Georgia on 5-Star DE Lorenzo Carter's Leaderboard?

Andrew Kulha — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:01:08 -0400

Alabama and Georgia are the early leaders for 5-star defensive end Lorenzo Carter's commitment, but keep an eye on LSU—as the Tigers appear to be making a push.

William Weathers of TigerBait.com is reporting that LSU is stepping up its game on the recruiting trail for Carter:

It wasn't until last month some time when LSU threw its hat into the ring and the Tigers have ramped up their efforts for Carter of Norcross, Ga.

"LSU has come on as of late," Carter said. "I talked to coach Les Miles and we've started talking a lot after that."

That said, Weathers also reports that Georgia and Alabama have stood out the most with Carter so far:

Carter explained that multiple visits to Alabama and Georgia with his parents have given those two schools an edge at this point.

"I think those two will make the top five," Carter said. "I want to get my parents to as many schools as possible. How comfortable we are with the school will really affect whether that school makes our list."

Carter is ranked as the No. 1 player from Georgia and he's also the No. 1 weak-side defensive end in the 2014 class, both according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. It would make sense why Georgia is high on his leaderboard, and Alabama's presence on top is self-explanatory.

At both schools, he would fit in best as a 3-4 outside linebacker, checking in at 6'5'', 232 pounds. 247Sports has him running a 4.60 40, so he projects perfectly as an edge rush player in a two-point stance—either on the line or over-hanged.

In LSU's 4-3 scheme, Carter would be best as a pure weak-side defensive end. Though he hasn't taken a visit yet, according to Weathers' report, he wants to do so:

"I have to get up there some time," Carter said. "Growing up, LSU's always been in the running for a national championship and Coach Miles is an enthusiastic coach to say the least. They look like a place where I can go and develop and be ready to go to the next level."

Les Miles is one of the best coaches in college football, and LSU does have a history of creating great defensive ends and sending them to the NFL. Defensive end Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Lavar Edwards, Lazarius Levingston and Tyson Jackson are all recent examples of LSU defensive ends that were drafted into the NFL (DraftHistory.com).

LSU is also known to field an ultra-aggressive defense, and Carter would fit great with that mentality.

He has the speed and agility to be a pure pass rusher and cause some havoc in the backfield. The Tigers are behind in the running for Carter right now, but it's still early in the process, and LSU is a known powerhouse in the world of college football recruiting.

Any other program may not have a good chance when entering a race like this, especially considering what both Georgia and Alabama bring to the table for Carter. LSU seems to be coming on strong, though, and the Tigers are a strong recruiting force.

It shouldn't be surprising if LSU eventually joins Alabama and Georgia on top of Carter's interest list.

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Where LSU's Wide Receivers Need to Improve to Help QB Zach Mettenberger

Barrett Sallee — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:24:06 -0400

With six early entrants to the NFL draft gone from last year's defense, there's a lot of pressure on LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger and first-year offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

While they will soak up most of the preseason spotlight, LSU's success or failure this season may be riding on the shoulders of the Tigers' wide receivers

Despite finishing 11th in the SEC in passing offense last season with 200.5 yards per game, the team's talented and experienced wide receiving corps—highlighted by Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Kadron Boone—has the ability to kick-start the offense and prevent the Tigers from having a true rebuilding season.

While Mettenberger takes a lot of grief for LSU's passing woes, it's not all on him. His wide receivers have room for improvement.

We saw some of that this spring.

Timing is key, and Mettenberger certainly looked like he was on the same page with his wide receivers during the Tigers' 2013 spring game in April.

In the screenshot below, Mettenberger's primary target is Odell Beckham Jr. at the top of the screen. Mettenberger has already set his feet and is in the process of throwing the football as Beckham makes his break on a 10-yard hitch.

The timing wasn't always there last season.

In the screenshot below, which is essentially the same play, Mettenberger is almost done with the throw when Beckham starts his break. This pass fell incomplete and led to a turnover on downs in the second quarter of the Arkansas game.

Sure, timing was disrupted a bit by a blitzing cornerback off the edge, but Beckham could have broken off his route a bit early and this play would have resulted in a first down.

Beckham is the leader of the group and will likely have a decision to make at the end of the season. After all, he is ranked in the top 50 of CBSSports.com's draft-eligible players for the 2014 NFL draft.

But it isn't a one-man show in Baton Rouge.

Landry showed that he has what it takes to become a superstar last season with 56 catches for 573 yards and five scores, leading the Tigers in receptions and touchdowns.

During his first two years in Baton Rouge, Landry has proven that he has the ability to make the highlight-reel catch, including a spectacular one-handed grab in the final game of the regular season against Arkansas.

The 6'1", 195-pounder will be counted on this year to be a big-play receiver and someone who can go over the middle and take the punishment. According to ESPN.com, Landry looked the part of a superstar this spring.

Timing was an issue with all of LSU's wide receivers last spring, but Landry showed that he and Mettenberger were on the same page during the spring game, as he caught six passes for 132 yards—including this tough catch over a safety on a corner route.

If Boone takes the next step, this wide receiving corps could be one of the best in the SEC.

The 6'0", 207-pound senior caught 26 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns last season. He has the big body and plays physical, but needs to be more consistent with his route running and getting separation from defensive backs.

He only caught one pass in the spring game, but it was nice 35-yard reception in which Zach Mettenberger hit him in stride down in tight coverage.

Don't fall into the trap and write this LSU team offense off because it sputtered at times last season.

The experience and depth at wide receiver is going to be a huge benefit to Mettenberger, especially now that Cameron is calling the shots on offense. The trio of Beckham, Landry and Boone has a ton of talent and will be pushed by James Wright and several incoming freshmen this summer.

LSU's wide receivers could be one of the SEC's most pleasant surprises this season. They have the talent, and now that they've had time to become even more familiar with Mettenberger, it could be all LSU needs to re-energize the offense.

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LSU Football 2013: Tigers Receiving Corps Must Maximize Potential

Joey Holland — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:12:59 -0400

The LSU Tigers welcome back one of the best groups of receivers in the SEC in 2013, but they will need to maximize their potential if the team truly wants to succeed on offense.

Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. comprise an outside receiver tandem as good as any in the nation, but you would not necessarily know it from the numbers. The Tigers finished 92nd in the country in passing in 2012, with only 12 scores through the air.

While some of that can be attributed to LSU's run-heavy attack or quarterback Zach Mettenberger's inconsistency, much of it must be put on the wideouts.

Landy and Beckham are certainly not the only players in the conversation, but they are the leaders of the Tigers receiving corps.

The two veterans complement each other nicely. Landry is extremely physical at 6'1", 195 pounds. He can be counted on to outmuscle defensive backs in the air and is always a reliable downfield blocker.

Beckham, on the other hand, is the fastest receiver on the squad. While he is not quite as big as Landry, he makes up for it with great pure speed and lethal moves in the open field.

Both are capable of making outstanding plays on the outside. Landry proved that with his acrobatic one-handed catch against Arkansas.

However, both have made an unfortunate habit of dropping easy balls as well.

The importance of the Tigers passing game was perhaps most evident in their 14-6 loss to Florida in 2012. There is a direct correlation between Mettenberger's ability to complete throws and the success of the LSU offense.

Against Florida, Mettenberger was only 11 of 25 on his passes for 158 yards.

However, not all of the blame can be put on the quarterback. Landry dropped a couple of passes that he should have caught, and the team as a whole made a habit of letting the ball slip through their hands in the second half.

Beckham did beat his man deep down the sideline at one point late in the third quarter, but he was stripped at the end of the play by safety Matt Elam and lost the ball for his team.

The two receivers can also too often be seen running sloppy routes or coasting out of their breaks instead of running through deeper passes from their quarterback.

Landry and Beckham will be helped by seniors Kadron Boone and James Wright, who both were useful weapons in 2012.

Considering the high turnover rates for the Tigers at running back, not to mention the indefinite suspension of Jeremy Hill, LSU's receivers will be even more important to the team's success in 2013.

Mettenberger has the potential to become a top-tier quarterback in the SEC. He has a cannon for an arm and throws quite well on the move.

Nonetheless, his ceiling will remain relatively low if his receivers do not maximize on their own sky-high potential.

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