LSU is close to wrapping up the first week of fall camp under the Lane Kiffin regime, as interesting developments have started to take place.
Before fall camp began, there were many questions surrounding LSU including how quickly quarterback Sam Leavitt could build chemistry with his teammates and the lack of depth at the defensive end position.
While there are plenty of things to take away from, these are the things that have stood out from camp so far as it comes to a close.Â
Taking it easy
On Wednesday, Kiffin said that LSU was taking it easy throughout fall camp to prevent injuries. Many of their practices are similar to OTAs in the NFL, which are shorter than your traditional practice.Â
"We're following a ramp-up program to prevent injuries - one that we kind of started last year. Just looking at being fresh at the end of season and injuries in the first five days," Kiffin said on Wednesday.Â
"We have a long way to go in understanding how to push through really intense periods and situations, which I'm sure they [the players] feel that way."
Big Rich and Deuce both take first-team snaps
One of the biggest developments of fall camp early on has been Richard Anderson and Deuce Geralds both getting the first-team reps on the defensive line.
While Geralds being a starter is no shock, considering he was a starter throughout fall camp, Anderson getting first-team reps over Malik Blocton was a bit of a surprise.
Geralds and Blocton were the two starters on Thursday before the two freshmen were paired together oin Thursday.
"I think everybody expects all these freshmen to just have these elite freshman years, and that's not really what's happening a lot around the country because rosters don't have as many holes because they're filled by portal players," Kiffin said.
"I just temper some expectations on all these freshmen that every one of them is going to start and be All-American."
A shocking development in the first-team secondary
Sophomore safety Jhase Thomas was taking reps with the first-team alongside Ty Benefield and Damarcus Spears at STAR rather than Tamarcus Cooley. This is an interesting development
"Jhase really has done a good job. He can play multiple things, and so we rotate a lot of guys through early in camp for competition," Kiffin said on Wednesday.
This is something to keep an eye on throughout fall camp as LSU’s depth chart starts to fill up. Speaking of depth, it looks like the safety room has plenty of it.
Sam Leavitt’s day-by-day progression
Leavitt's first day back out on the practice field was not the greatest on Wednesday morning. It looked like the chemistry was lacking with receivers, which was expected considering he missed all of spring practice.
Thursday evening was different, as Leavitt was more efficient and was throwing dimes throughout. Fall camp should help refine the timing aspect but it was encouraging to see Leavitt push the ball downfield and that vertical chemistry will help the Tigers in the long run.
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