Could LSU Football be starting another freshman at tackle in 2023?

LSU Football is no stranger to playing freshman at key positions. Last year, we saw Will Campbell and Emory Jones start at the tackle positions. Could we see yet another freshman at tackle in 2023?

LSU Football head coach Brian Kelly has no bias when it comes to creating the depth chart. Just because you were a starter last year, doesn’t mean you can’t be replaced this year. We saw this last year when the Tigers became one of the first teams to start two freshman at the offensive tackle positions.

We also saw the emergence on true freshman Mason Taylor and Harold Perkins a few weeks into the season. With a stellar transfer portal and recruiting class, we may see some new players continue earning playing time at key positions.

One of those players is Zalance Heard, a 5-star freshman offensive tackle out of Monroe, Louisiana. Heard was a highly touted prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and received multiple offers from D-I schools including Texas, Florida, Florida State, USC, Michigan.

Kelly knew he needed to keep as many Louisiana players in-state as he could, and he landed a major one with Heard.

After going through camp this summer, Heard has proven himself to be special to LSU Football. Kelly had Heard taking first team reps at right tackle during the team scrimmage at Tiger Stadium this past weekend. With Will Campbell holding down the fort on the left, Heard took over Emory Jones’ spot at right tackle.

Jones was bumped to right guard as a result.

If this development holds true, Heard could be the starting right tackle in the Tigers’ season opener against Florida State. We saw Campbell start against FSU last year, but Jones didn’t get his first start until Week 3 against Mississippi State.

If Heard doesn’t start Week one, he could be thrust into the starting rotation within the coming weeks.

Kelly is not afraid to put a freshman into the starting lineup if he believes they give LSU Football the best chance to win. Kelly proved during his time at Notre Dame that he is one of the nation’s best at developing offensive lineman. Indeed, the trend has continued in Baton Rouge.

Multiple LSU offensive lineman have been nominated for preseason awards. Both Campbell and  Jones were named to the 2023 Outland Trophy watchlist, and Heard was placed on the True Freshman All-American list for the 2023 season.

Kelly is building the Tigers into a prime destination for the nations top offensive lineman. Recruits will realize that they can work their way into immediate playing time as true freshman in Death Valley.

LSU is already DBU and WRU, but don’t be surprised if in a few years LSU adds OLU to their resume.