Key offensive player stepping up as a leader for LSU football

LSU football lost several key team leaders from their 2019 national championship winning squad.

After losing a plethora of talent from their 2019 championship team to the NFL, LSU football will be looking for some new team leaders in 2020.

Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron has already identified a specific player who has been stepping up as a leader during the offseason.

Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

Coach O appeared on Off the Bench in Baton Rouge on Tuesday morning and had some positive words for Chase.

"Ja’Marr Chase is doing some leadership, he’s looked fantastic out there. We’ve got a good group but we’ve got to have guys step up and continue to lead throughout the spring."

Chase led LSU in receiving yards (1,780) and receiving touchdowns (20) in 2019. But he wasn’t necessarily a “leader” for the Tigers’ offense.

That will obviously have to change in 2020.

Chase is the best wide receiver in the nation. He’s the most accomplished offensive player on LSU’s 2020 roster. With a new starters at quarterback, running back, center and tight end in the mix, Chase has no choice but to be a key leader for LSU this upcoming season.

That’s why it’s great to hear from Coach O that Chase is stepping up and growing comfortable in that role.

Orgeron said last month that he’s going to hold players like Chase to a higher standard.

The fact that Coach O is praising Chase, after saying he’ll be held to a higher standard than other players, is certainly a positive sign moving forward.

I don’t know if Chase will be able to replicate his insane numbers from 2019, but he’ll absolutely be a major asset for new starting quarterback Myles Brennan in 2020.

It won’t be easy to replace Joe Burrow, but having a player like Ja’Marr Chase to throw passes to will definitely help Brennan be the best version of himself.