LSU Football: Why Ed Orgeron isn’t too worried about replacing Ja’Marr Chase
By Zach Ragan
LSU football learned this week that star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is opting out of the 2020 season.
LSU football‘s Ja’Marr Chase was set to be not only the best wide receiver in college football this season but one of the best overall players in the nation.
Chase, however, won’t be either of those things in 2020. That’s because the star wide receiver has decided to opt out of the 2020 season.
I can hardly blame him. Chase is already a lock to be selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In fact, he’ll likely be a top-five or top-ten pick.
There’s no reason for Chase to risk injury, or catching COVID-19, by playing for the Tigers in 2020. He already has a championship ring. He has nothing to prove. Plus the experience of playing college football in 2020 isn’t going to be what we’re accustomed to seeing.
Even though I think Chase made the right decision, there’s still a stark reality that comes with it — LSU’s wide receiver depth took a hit.
But if you think Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron is worried, you must not know him very well.
Coach O isn’t worried about LSU football’s depth at wide receiver
Coach O told reporters this week that the wide receiver position was well equipped to handle the loss of Chase.
“If there’s any position that can take that, it would be the wide receivers and the defensive line, because we have a lot of depth there,” said Orgeron during a virtual media session (via Rivals).
Specifically, Orgeron loves the talent the Tigers have at the position.
“A guy that a lot of people don’t talk about is a great player: It’s Terrace Marshall,” explained Coach O. “Kayshon Boutte, Koy Moore and those guys have stuck out. Jontre Kirklin. Racey McMath. And Terrace Marshall. This is their time. And I think that what you’re gonna see is guys are gonna step up and there’s gonna be one new superstar that we don’t know about because it’s his time.”
Orgeron has been around enough talent during his time as a head coach that he knows when a team has it and when they don’t.
Next. Ja'Marr Chase is all class. dark
And it’s clear he thinks LSU has it when it comes to the wide receiver group.