Why there’s no LSU football spring game scheduled for April
By John Fye
It is unlikely that LSU football will hold their annual Spring Game next month. Find out why and the possible alternatives for Brian Kelly’s Tigers.
LSU football fans are accustomed to the program’s annual Spring Game, an offense vs. defense scrimmage held at Tiger Stadium. The LSU football Spring Game offers fans an early look at the new roster in action. However, barring unforeseen developments, fans are unlikely to see a 2023 LSU football Spring Game.
On3’s Shea Dixon commented on the situation during the Bengal Tiger podcast.
"…it’s unlikely we’ll have a spring game… [LSU doesn’t] have enough players that are healthy right now, to fill out a roster…if anything, [LSU] could only do an offense vs. a defense right now…"
Dixon explained that nine scholarship players are unavailable for the entire spring workouts. Such includes a decimated running back depth chart resulting from injuries and John Emery’s hiatus due to academic issues. Also, the LSU football offensive line is razor thin in early practices.
Dixon noted the Tigers started spring workouts with seven scholarship linemen before Miles Frazier’s absences over the past week. Also, on the defensive side of the ball, LSU remains light at linebacker and in the secondary.
The Tigers have added the 5th-ranked recruiting class for 2023 and a group of impact transfer portal players. However, many players are not slated to arrive in Baton Rouge until the Summer. Such includes recent offensive lineman and graduate transfer Mason Lunsford.
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How the LSU Tigers navigate network TV expectations this spring is worth monitoring. ESPN habitually airs all SEC spring football games through the SEC Network and their ESPN+ streaming service. Suffice it to say; it would be odd for LSU to be one of the only SEC teams void of a spring game.
There’s time for LSU football to put together a plan. Dixon acknowledged that Brian Kelly is more than willing to showcase his players on TV. But doing such requires more than a half-dozen scholarship linemen and a pair of available running backs. Perhaps, LSU will air a regular practice under the guise of a spring game.
Another option is Kelly showcases what he does have on offensive vs. a defense in a format shorter than four quarters.
Next. 5 reasons to buy into the LSU Tigers hype in 2023. dark
Many SEC schools have announced their spring game dates. For example, Florida’s game is on April 13, Georgia’s is on April 15, and Alabama’s will kick off on April 22.