The Texas Bowl provides the LSU Football program a unique opportunity as the Tigers will get to evaluate their younger players to see what they may have for the future. The Tigers may not get to play all of their younger reserves but, the Tigers will be starting several young pieces while others will get to serve rotational roles. As you're watching the Texas Bowl, keep an eye on these young players who will look to earn bigger roles long term.
Trey'Dez Green - Tight End
In many ways this game will be a showcase for Freshman Tight End Trey'Dez Green as he's the lone scholarship tight end left on the roster. The Tigers went out and got Oklahoma tight end Bauer Sharp for his blocking ability but, if Trey'Dez Green can prove he has the ability to be an In-Line blocker it only makes LSU more dangerous in 2025. Given LSU's red zone struggles, you'd love to see the Tigers attempt to use Green's size to see if the Tigers can finish off drives.
Bo Bordelon/Coen Echols - Right Guard
Given that the Tigers will lose Miles Frazier after this game, the Tigers will have to find a right guard for next season which could be a role the transfers fill. In this game, Bo Bordelon and Coen Echols will rotate at right guard looking to earn roles for the future. If either can earn the job it can keep LSU from adding additional offensive linemen from the transfer portal while making the future up front clearer.
Paul Mubenga - Left Guard
As Garrett Dellinger is out of the lineup again, Paul Mubenga will once again start the game at left guard. Down the stretch, Mubenga has gotten a ton of experience at left guard and will continue to gain it in this game. Mubenga struggled at times but, a solid performance could have him in the mix for a starting role next season.
Weston Davis - Right Tackle
When the Tigers start the game, it'll be Miles Frazier starting the game at right tackle for the Tigers. Once Frazier leaves the game it'll be True Freshman Weston Davis getting the snaps at right tackle. The Tigers signed Weston Davis as a five-star recruit last year but, we haven't seen him play much this season. Davis stepping up and proving he can play next season would be massive as the Tigers need to fill both tackle positions.
Tyree Adams - Left Tackle
This season, Adams was the 6th offensive lineman and if not for a Mid-Season injury we likely would've seen him play a ton of left guard. Instead we saw Adams play spurts on the interior but, in the Texas Bowl we'll see Tyree Adams getting his first stretch of playing time at Left Tackle. If this game goes well, we likely enter 2025 with Adams starting at Left Tackle which would make the future of the offensive line much clearer.
Gabe Reliford - Defensive Line
This offseason, the LSU Football team went out and brought in three transfers at edge rusher as Bradyn Swinson, Sai'Vion Jones, and Da'Shawn Womack depart. Freshman Gabe Reliford has gotten experience with 9 tackles and 0.5 a sack and in this game we should see him continue to get his feet wet. If Reliford can flash as a pass rusher, we'll see him play more next season on the edge most likely opposite Patrick Payton in pass rush situations.
Dominick McKinley - Defensive Tackle
One of the smaller things that hurt the LSU Football team this year was Dominick McKinley not enrolling early as he's been a monster for the Tigers down the stretch. When we saw McKinley last he picked up a a pair of sacks against Oklahoma. Given that Jay'Viar Suggs is in the transfer portal, McKinley's snap count will only grow and he should continue to make a massive impact.
Ahmad Breaux - Defensive Tackle
This season, Ahmad Breaux's impact went under the radar as he gave the team solid snaps at defensive tackle winning the team's freshman of the year award. As Jay'Viar Suggs is out and the staff looks to get the younger players more snaps, Breaux should only play more and it'll be exciting to see him alongside McKinley and Reliford.
Dahvon Keys - Linebacker
One of the most exciting developments down the stretch of the season was the play of True Freshman linebacker Dahvon Keys. Keys burst onto the scene as Greg Penn dealt with an injury and as he flashed Blake Baker continued to give him playing time. Next season, we'll see Keys next to Whit Weeks which makes it exciting to watch the two fly around in this game.
DaShawn Spears - Safety
As Major Burns opted out of the game and Sage Ryan transferred to Ole Miss, there are two starting safety roles up for grabs in this game and next season. True Freshman DaShawn Spears will get to fill one of their roles and is someone everyone is hoping has a solid game. The Tigers have scoured the transfer portal for starting caliber safeties after lacking talent at the position but, if Spears can make a big impact it may lessen the need for safeties.