LSU Football 2015: Winners and Losers from Tigers' Spring Practices, Game

The LSU Tigers finished off their 2015 edition of spring practice at the National L Club spring game, a tilt that ended 45-6 in favor of the starter-laden White squad.

Saturday's action provided a final chance to see some winners and losers from both the session as a whole and the intrasquad scrimmage. A few players displayed a terrific month-plus of work, while some individuals and collective units have plenty of improvements to make during the remainder of the offseason.

Perhaps most importantly, though, the Tigers exited the spring without major injuries hovering over the roster.

Please note that this article takes a look at the entire spring, not just the game itself. Whom do you think showed out during the spring? Head to the comments section and add your thoughts.

Winner: D.J. Chark, Wide Receiver

Credit: 247Sports

D.J. Chark

In 2013, LSU's receiving corps was basically just Travin Dural. Though Malachi Dupre and John Diarse chipped in every so often, neither was a consistent factor.

D.J. Chark looks like he'll help change that.

"His confidence is going through the roof," quarterback Anthony Jennings said of Chark, per Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com. "He came out in spring working on his hands, working on his feet. He's one of the most explosive guys we have on the team speed wise. He's coming out here showing it."

Chark backed up the praise in the spring game. He reeled in a 45-yard pass, tracking a well-thrown ball through double coverage and diving toward the middle of the field to make the catch.

Loser: Russell Gage, Cornerback

Credit: 247Sports

Russell Gage

Russell Gage might want to avoid the film room.

The sophomore cornerback was part of a blown assignment that allowed Travin Dural to waltz into the end zone for a 41-yard score Saturday.

Shortly after, Gage slipped in single coverage and watched Jennings connect with Dural for a 70-yard pickup. Had Jennings not floated the pass, Dural would've scored. To Gage's credit, he didn't give up and tracked down LSU's No. 1 receiver before he could find the end zone.

A bad offseason outing won't destroy Gage's chances of cracking the rotation, but the team's cornerback depth is strong, and another 5-star is on the way. Long story short: Gage has some work to do.

Winner: Greg Gilmore, Defensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

Greg Gilmore

Highly recruited defensive tackle Travonte Valentine hasn't been able to stay eligible, so his continued absence created an opportunity for another lineman.

Greg Gilmore took full advantage of the chance.

Though he did jump offsides during the spring game, Gilmore has impressed throughout the spring. Sonny Shipp of 247Sports noted Les Miles said the D-tackle has made a strong move for the No. 3 spot.

Plus, after the spring game, Miles revealed Valentine is "currently suspended from play," per Lawrence Barreca of The Advocate, so Gilmore has just about locked down his spot in the rotation.

Loser: Team Depth

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Les Miles and new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele have a large task ahead of them this summer: making the second-stringers legitimate reserves.

The Tigers' starters will be dangerous once again, but Miles recognized the talent difference a few days ago. According to LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette, Miles said:

"

What has to come is our second team guys going onto the field and playing big roles. That is what we are really looking at. We like our first team. Our first team is good on offense, defense and special teams. We just need to build up some depth that allows us to substitute the same style of performance from the first-team even though he might be a little younger.

"

It was apparent on Saturday, too. One example was a situational play from the 5-yard line where the reserves were bowled over and pushed backward into the end zone.

When the backups enter during the regular season against elite conference competition, that simply cannot happen. Depth is critical for every SEC team.

LSU has the talent. Now it needs to develop it.

Winner: Anthony Jennings, Quarterback

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

As a sophomore in 2014, Anthony Jennings struggled. He completed just 48.9 percent of his passes and tossed seven interceptions against just 11 touchdowns.

However, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron told 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge that Jennings "has had his best spring since he's been here."

Jennings' first throw of the spring game was tremendous, and his second attempt was even better—a 37-yard back-shoulder toss right on the money to Malachi Dupre.

Yes, the coverage was a step below what Jennings will encounter in the SEC, but his mechanics have clearly improved. While the junior reverted to his previous ways a couple times, he's clearly closer to the player LSU expects him to be.

And more importantly for Jennings, he's a small step above sophomore Brandon Harris. For now.