LSU Football: The main thing that could hold Myles Brennan back in 2020
By Zach Ragan
LSU football’s Myles Brennan will be the Tigers’ starting quarterback in 2020.
LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron reiterated on Wednesday night that he’s not expecting quarterback Myles Brennan to be the next Joe Burrow.
Coach O just wants Brennan to be the best version of himself that he can be.
Brennan, a redshirt junior, will be in a good spot for LSU in 2020 (aside from playing in Burrow’s shadow).
The Mississippi native has all the tools to be successful in Baton Rouge. Brennan has the physical talents and a litany of offensive weapons (Ja’Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall Jr and true freshman tight end Arik Gilbert are elite playmakers). And he had the benefit of sitting behind Burrow for two seasons, which undoubtedly made Brennan a better quarterback.
But there’s one specific thing that could potentially hold Brennan back in 2020.
The Tigers’ offensive line.
LSU lost four starting offensive linemen to the NFL Draft this year (left tackle Saahdiq Charles, guards Damien Lewis and Adrian Magee, as well as center Lloyd Cushenberry).
Replacing four starting offensive linemen from a national championship team isn’t ideal — especially with spring camp getting cut short.
Offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger didn’t sound very confident on Wednesday night when discussing LSU’s offensive line, telling reporters that he’s definitely concerned.
Steve Ensminger asked if he's concerned about the offensive line, with four starters leaving for the NFL.
— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) May 14, 2020
"Yes I'm concerned."
Raises his hands. That's it. Simple. #LSU
Ensminger specifically noted that LSU needs to find a right guard.
Ensminger: We have to find a RG. This year like 2 yrs ago where we have to stay healthy and get freshmen reps as we go. #LSU
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) May 14, 2020
(Chasen Hines would be a solid option, but it appears that he’ll be the Tigers’ center in 2020.)
If the offensive line is in disarray in 2020, it’ll make Brennan’s job a lot tougher.
But fortunately for LSU, James Cregg is one of the best offensive line coaches in the country.
Cregg’s first year in Baton Rouge (2018) presented some challenges. But by 2019 the offensive line became a strength for the Tigers.
2020 will once again be a challenge, but Cregg has proved before he can rise to the occasion.
Next. Ja'Marr Chase will be better than elite WRs already in NFL. dark
If Cregg and Coach O are able to find the right offensive line combination, then it could set Brennan up for a big season.
But if they can’t, it could mean Brennan is forced to throw on the run more often than he should be.