After Ja'Marr Chase Opts Out, LSU's Offense Is Starting Over in 2020

A clean slate can often be a good thing. It's a valuable opportunity to start fresh and build a better future, perhaps moving beyond some frustrations of the past.

LSU didn't want a dramatically new outlook in 2020. But with star receiver Ja'Marr Chase opting out of the season, according to CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd, the offense is edging from an overhaul into a near-complete revamp.

The program achieved the pinnacle of college football last season, celebrating a national championship with a win over Clemson. Joe Burrow guided the Tigers to a 15-0 record and hoisted the Heisman Trophy, and Chase won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best wide receiver.

Without a doubt, the offense's improvement drove the team's success. Burrow—who himself has said he didn't play well in 2018—ascended from unspectacular to a record-smashing quarterback.

In one offseason, an offense that continually flailed against top competition developed into a juggernaut. Auburn is the lone defense—not Georgia or Clemson or Alabama—that held LSU's turbocharged attack below 36 points in a game last year.

As the Tigers ripped through the 2019 season, excitement for future years continued to grow. Even right now, there is no shortage of talent left on the LSU roster.

But reality has complicated the visions of a new dynasty.

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Passing game coordinator Joe Brady joined the Carolina Panthers to run the offense. Burrow exhausted his eligibility and went No. 1 overall in the 2020 NFL draft. Key receiver Justin Jefferson and star running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire were also first-round picks, and tight end Thaddeus Moss turned pro. Four starters on the offensive line headed to the NFL as well.

On those departures alone, the Tigers needed to replace an extraordinary amount of knowledge, talent and production. At least they had Chase to stabilize the offense.

Until now.

Chase has decided to opt out of the 2020 season so he can "concentrate on his professional career," according to Dodd. Now, right tackle Austin Deculus and wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. are LSU's only returning offensive starters this season.

Yes, one extra departure is that important.

In football terms, "gravity" refers to attracting attention from defenders. With all due respect to Alabama's DeVonta Smith and Oklahoma State's Tylan Wallace, no receiver in the country has more gravity than Chase. He'd win everywhere—the line of scrimmage, intermediate routes, after the catch, downfield. Chase would've been the focal point of every opponent's defensive plan in 2020.

Finding the right balance of covering Chase and Marshall while staying in position to defend the run would've been immensely challenging. That isn't to say stopping LSU's offense is suddenly easy, but it will be far less stressful without Chase.

Marshall had a quality 2019 season with 46 catches for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns. That's more production than every other receiver on the remaining roster combined.

LSU is adding 5-star wideout Kayshon Boutte, 5-star tight end Arik Gilbert and 4-star receiver Koy Moore. Four-star target Trey Palmer signed in 2019, and senior receiver Racey McMath is heralded as a breakout candidate. Jontre Kirklin is joining the rotation this season, too.

However, what if the best-case scenarios are wishful thinking?

Freshmen often arrive with immediate-impact hopes, but that doesn't always come true. Palmer, McMath and Kirklin have combined for 23 catches in college. While the expectations may be proven sound, they're based on potential, not history. It's OK to be optimistic and acknowledge that.

Chase's presence would've eased that transition while also helping quarterback Myles Brennan adjust to the starting job. After all, he's attempted only 70 passes at LSU.

It's unfair to expect Marshall to accomplish the same, even though he is a tremendous player.

Plus, offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is without the helpful eye of Brady. Ensminger and new passing game coordinator Scott Linehan may succeed together, but it would be ridiculous to suggest Brady's departure is unimportant.

The list goes on and on—and we haven't even mentioned a defense losing 11 key players, including three opt-outs. That's a whole different part of the story, but we're focused on the offense.

Other than Deculus, the blocking unit is new. Growing pains are inevitable up front, especially after an offseason with limited practice. And as pressure gets to Brennan, he likely won't provide as many dramatic escapes as Burrow to keep drives alive.

It's only reasonable to expect an increase in negative plays and drop in explosive gains. Predicting otherwise means anticipating the greatest offense in the history of college football.

Great recruiting and coaching can atone for inexperience, so the Tigers still deserve the label of a national contender. But Chase's opt-out is like facing a hurdle at the start of a 100-yard dash, and only LSU's lane has the obstacle.

LSU's offense can clear this hurdle, but its race for a title is now far more demanding than anticipated.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from NCAA.com, cfbstats.com or B/R research.

Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.