LSU Football: Complete 2015 Spring Practice Primer
LSU head coach Les Miles isn't exactly on the hot seat entering the 2015 season, but another 8-5 campaign—especially if it includes another year of quarterback frustration—might change that in a hurry.
The Tigers return starting quarterback Anthony Jennings along with backup Brandon Harris, and no matter who it is, one of those players has to step up and take some pressure off of Leonard Fournette and the running game if the Tigers are going to contend for the SEC West.
Meanwhile, new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele's biggest task is to make sure his defense is as consistent as possible and limit the pressure that's on the quarterback's shoulders.
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What should you be watching this spring out of the Tigers?
What to Watch on Offense
It's all about the quarterbacks.
Anthony Jennings only completed 48.9 percent of his passes, tossed 11 touchdowns and threw seven picks in 2014. For the most part, the only effective part of LSU's passing game was Jennings' ability to take the top off of defenses—particularly to Travin Dural—that had been worn out by the Tigers' relentless rushing attack.
| Anthony Jennings | 111-of-227 | 48.9 | 1,611 | 11 | 7 |
| Brandon Harris | 25-of-45 | 55.6 | 452 | 6 | 2 |
That has to change, and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron either has to help Jennings progress as a passer on the short and intermediate routes or switch gears to Harris, who is much more dangerous as a dual threat.
If the latter happens, though, can Cameron adjust his play-calling to fit Harris? Even if Jennings wins the job, just how potent will the passing attack be?
Both quarterbacks can run, and if neither can provide a consistent threat through the air, Cameron—a pro-style coach by trade—will have to alter his approach if LSU is going to be successful.
"Is that the quarterback? Is that the receiver? It's all of us," Cameron told Ron Higgins of NOLA.com. "We've got to coach it better. We've got to teach it better. There's no doubt in my mind we'll get that solved."
The biggest item on Fournette's plate is to stay out of the trainer's room and let 6'0", 230-pound backup Darrel Williams get some work in. LSU is at its best when Miles has a stable of running backs available to split carries and keep each other fresh. While Fournette is the star and the unquestioned No. 1 running back, LSU has to get Williams comfortable with No. 1 carries because ideally he'll get quite a few in the fall.
Up front, Jerald Hawkins will slide into La'el Collins' left tackle spot, and his biggest task is to develop into the leader and get acquainted, protecting the quarterback's blind side and becoming a more consistent run-blocker.
What to Watch on Defense
Keep a close eye on the defensive line, and when your eyes wander to other parts of the defense, slap yourself and get your attention back to the battle in the trenches.
LSU finished with the SEC's best defense in 2014 (316.8 YPG), but that stat is quite a bit deceiving. The Tigers finished with just 19 sacks (13th in the SEC), 76 tackles for loss (ninth) and 10 rushes of 30 or more yards (12th).
That was with defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Jermauria Rasco, both of whom are gone.
So who's going to step up?
Tashawn Bower has the skills to be a fearsome pass-rusher and could play multiple roles depending on the different looks Steele rolls out, but he hasn't been able to find consistent playing time during his LSU career as of yet.
Davon Godchaux played well at times at defensive tackle last year, and there are plenty of options for new defensive line coach Ed Orgeron such as Christian LaCouture, Quentin Thomas and, after a long wait, Travonte Valentine. There needs to be a solid rotation in the trenches that will allow the entire group to stay fresh because the interior of the defensive line was far too inconsistent last year.
The Tigers have a solid centerpiece at linebacker in Kendell Beckwith, a superstar corner in Tre'Davious White and a versatile safety in Jalen Mills, who could drop back down to corner if Steele needs him to.
Freshman to Keep an Eye On
Whether Mills stays at safety or moves back to cornerback could depend on our freshman to keep an eye on—Kevin Toliver II.
The 6'2", 185-pound former 5-star prospect enrolled early and has everything he needs to keep the mantra of "DB U" alive and well in Baton Rouge. He has tremendous ball skills, good recovery speed, the size to go up against bigger receivers and is physical at the line of scrimmage.
He has a crowded secondary to fight through during spring practice and fall camp, including Ed Paris and Dwayne Thomas, but there's no doubt he's the future at the position.
Coach Miles' Toughest Task
Finding the right offensive recipe.
LSU simply can't contend for the SEC West title by playing "Leonard Fournette left, Leonard Fournette right." Whether it's the light bulb going off in the head of one of the quarterbacks or Cameron adjusting his scheme to become more of a multidimensional smashmouth approach, something has to change offensively.
After all, that's part of the reason former defensive coordinator John Chavis left for Texas A&M.
"I’m excited to play with a great offense, and certainly looking forward to helping the defense get better," Chavis told Brent Zwerneman of the Houston Chronicle upon landing in College Station in January.
Note how he mentioned the offense first?
Two-touchdown leads have been mythical in Baton Rouge lately. While Miles hopes Steele can help LSU's defense take a step forward, he can't rely on that happening.
The offense needs to give the defense a little more of a margin of error, otherwise next offseason will be quite uncomfortable for the LSU coaching staff.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
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