Steve Ensminger points out a major challenge for LSU football in 2020
By Zach Ragan
LSU football has plenty of offensive weapons to use in 2020, but they won’t have as many as they had in 2019.
LSU football offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger knows he has the best wide receiver in the nation in junior Ja’Marr Chase.
The problem is that every program in the country also knows that LSU has the best wide receiver in college football.
And they’ll be looking to limit Chase as much as possible.
Ensminger is aware of this and he’s already thinking of ways to keep Chase from getting double teamed in 2020.
The Tigers’ offensive coordinator said on Wednesday night that LSU will shift alignments to try to work out good matchups for Chase.
Ensminger noted that avoiding double teams for Chase wasn’t a big issue last season due to the presence of Justin Jefferson (who is now in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings).
Steve Ensminger said one of the biggest challenges they anticipate is making sure Ja'Marr Chase doesn't get doubled. They'll have to shift alignments to make sure he gets a favorable matchup.
— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) May 14, 2020
A lot of that was offset by Justin Jefferson at slot, and they'll be missing him. #LSU
While it’s true that LSU won’t have as much talent in 2020 as they had in 2019, it’s not like the well is dry.
Terrace Marshall Jr, a former five-star recruit who was rated as the No. 13 overall 2018 player in the nation, will be the Tigers’ No. 2 wide receiver this season. Marshall caught 46 passes for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2019. Those are pretty impressive numbers when you consider that Marshall had to fight for targets with Chase, Jefferson, Thaddeus Moss, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Stephen Sullivan.
LSU will also have a couple of stud true freshmen in the mix. Five-star tight end Arik Gilbert is going to be a mismatch nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. There’s also five-star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, as well as senior wide receiver Racey McMath (a player who Ensminger pointed out as a breakout candidate this upcoming season).
There’s no doubt that teams will zero in on Chase in 2020 and try to neutralize LSU’s most dangerous offensive weapon. But the Tigers have more than enough talent to combat those efforts from other teams.
I still expect Chase to have a monster season in 2020. Will he match his insane numbers from 2019?
Next. Thaddeus Moss passed on playing with Joe Burrow. dark
Without Joe Burrow, maybe not. But it should still be a special season for the Louisiana native.