LSU football: Five important players for 2016
By Mario Jerez
1. Brandon Harris, QB
It doesn’t take a football expert to know who LSU’s most important player for the 2016 season is.
Leonard Fournette and the running game remain LSU’s offensive focal points, but eventually the Tigers will have to beat teams through the air. Harris flashed his potential at times last season but has to prove he’s capable of executing in big games.
He completed just six passes in LSU’s most important game of 2015 against Alabama, and that type of statistic will never cut it against a team like the Crimson Tide. As good as Fournette is, LSU needs more big plays from their quarterback in 2016 if the Tigers hope to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
That being said, Harris doesn’t have to put up crazy numbers for LSU to be successful. His priorities should be keeping himself and the offense in the right rhythm, making timely throws to extend drives and taking what the defense gives him.
It’s also important for Harris to put himself in less third-and-long situations this season. If he can do that and improve on his 53.8% passing percentage from last year, LSU will be less one-sided on offense and much more dangerous.
Fournette is a Heisman Trophy candidate, but ultimately the Tigers will go as far as their quarterback brings them. Harris has gained more than 20 pounds this offseason and now has a full season of experience in Cam Cameron’s offense. If he could parlay that into a successful junior season, LSU will be capable of making a deep run.
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