This weekend, as LSU's offense floundered as soon as it got near the red zone it was clear that the Tigers were lacking in the weapons department. The Tigers allowed seven sacks and it wasn't just because of LSU's offensive line struggles. The Tigers wide receivers failed to create separation which in turn didn't give Garrett Nussmeier a ton of options.
Last season, Garrett Nussmeier would've been much better off as a starter as LSU had two Biletnikoff Award caliber Wide Receivers in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. The Tigers don't have a player capable of winning the award this season but, they have in the past.
In 2021, Jack Bech burst onto the scene as a True Freshman catching 43 passes for 489 yards and three touchdowns.
"Jack Bech is a baller." pic.twitter.com/PWTYkbiCnN
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) September 19, 2021
His sophomore season wasn't as successful as his freshman season for Jack Bech as his production fell across the board. The fall in production along with the emergence of receivers like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr led to Bech entering the transfer portal ending up at TCU. Just two seasons after leaving LSU, Jack Bech is a Semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
Congratulations to Jack Bech @jackbech7 on being named a Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist! The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver at any position @TCUFootball @TCU_Athletics #OutstandingReceiver #NCFAA pic.twitter.com/388BTOmSNu
— Biletnikoff Award (@biletnikoffawrd) November 19, 2024
This season, Jack Bech has caught 56 passes for 982 yards and 9 touchdowns averaging 17.5 yards per catch. Bech's 982 yards rank sixth in the Country and 4th among players in the Power Four. The 9 touchdowns are in a tie for eighth in the entire country and he's just one touchdown out of a tie from third place and two away from a tie for second place.
Players have to see a path to the field in the New Era of College Football
It's not exactly LSU's fault that Jack Bech moved on rather than sticking it out with LSU as its just a part of the game. If players can't see a path to playing time in College Football, the transfer portal has made it much easier to find a bigger role elsewhere which in turn hurts depth across the Country. As players continue to look for playing time, it's even more important that Brian Kelly gets any piece that he sees as a big piece moving forward onto the field so they atleast know they do have a chance at playing next season.