On Saturday, the LSU Football team will kick off its push for a College Football Playoff appearance when the Tigers kick off their Spring practices. There's a ton of buzz around LSU which has built into excitement for the Spring as the Tigers added Top Ten transfer and recruiting classes to the roster. This Spring will give the staff a great idea as to where the roster stands and how each returning player developed before the Spring transfer window.
While the transfers and incoming Freshmen lead the buzz, returning players won't step aside just because LSU brought them in to win the role. Several players on LSU's roster are entering their third or fourth season with the Tigers and are still looking to earn starting roles. Heading into Spring practice, keep an eye on these five players who are "On the Clock".
Javien Toviano - Safety
As a Freshman, Javien Toviano stepped in and was a bright spot on a terrible LSU defense filling in for Zy Alexander. This past season saw Toviano take a back seat in LSU's secondary before being moved to safety for the future. Toviano heads into his third season with a great chance at emerging as a starter as LSU replaces Major Burns and Sage Ryan. If Toviano doesn't win out for the job this season its only going to get tougher as LSU signed and is recruiting several elite safeties.
Kaleb Jackson - Running Back
Last Summer, Kaleb Jackson impressed during camp and looked to be LSU's lead back heading into the season. The first few games as LSU struggled running the ball the staff looked elsewhere and Caden Durham's emergence led to him gaining the job. As Josh Williams departs, Jackson needs to emerge as the veteran back filling Williams role especially as LSU took a step up in talent at the position.
This Spring, Jackson will be looking to fend off the top running back recruit in the Country Harlem Berry and four star explosive back JT Lindsey for playing time. Working in Jackson's favor is both his experience and the fact that Brian Kelly typically sides with playing the veterans before trying any of the Freshmen.
The Tigers went out and hired Alex Atkins to overhaul LSU's rushing attack which should help everyone in the room in 2025.
Dylan Carpenter - Edge Rusher
Coming off of his Redshirt Freshman season, Dylan Carpenter will look to make a jump during camp this Spring. In limited defensive snaps this season, Carpenter impressed especially against Oklahoma in the regular season finale. LSU went out and brought in three edge rushers via the transfer portal but, heading into his third season in the program, Carpenter is a player to keep an eye on.
Peyton Todd - Punter
During the Spring, Peyton Todd struggled which led to LSU bringing in Blake Ochsendorf to compete for the starting role. Neither punter had a ton of success which led to LSU once again dipping into the transfer portal bringing in punter Grant Chadwick. Todd is a Graduate Student and he'll have to beat out Chadwick who had an incredible Freshman season.
Austin Ausberry - Safety
As safety was a massive hole for the LSU Football team, the staff tried to play nearly everyone to find a solid option. Austin Ausberry was never called upon for the Tigers as he spent the majority of the season on special teams. This offseason LSU lost veteran safeties Major Burns and Sage Ryan leaving two positions open for competition. Entering his Redshirt Junior season, Ausberry needs to step up and emerge in a young safety room otherwise he'll be stuck behind several players on the depth chart.