LSU football: Five important players for 2016

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Apr 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Malachi Dupre (15) runs with the football during the Spring Game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Malachi Dupre, WR

Dupre can really be a game-changer for the Tigers in his junior season.

Senior Travin Dural has proven himself to be a reliable option time and time again at LSU, but Dupre’s length, speed and ability to highpoint the football make him a matchup nightmare. Dupre was LSU’s leading receiver in 2015 with 43 catches, 698 yards and six touchdowns.

The LSU offense has not produced a 1,000-yard receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry in 2013, but Dupre can possibly break that trend in his third year catching passes from fellow 2014 recruit Brandon Harris.

Poised for a big junior year, Dupre is LSU’s most threatening offensive player not named Leonard Fournette. When the running game is out of the equation for whatever reason, Dupre should be leaned on heavily for LSU to move the football. Playing opposite of Dural and in the same offense as Fournette should give Dupre various big-play opportunities throughout the season.

Last season, Dupre more than doubled his totals in both receptions and receiving yards. Similar improvement this season under first year position coach Dameyune Craig could push Dupre to elite status amongst Southeastern Conference receivers.

Next: No. 3 Maea Teuhema

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