While it was great to see LSU's veterans play in the Texas Bowl, everyone was excited to see LSU's younger crop of players get their most playing time of the season. Coming into the game if you had to pick two Freshmen to watch one on each side of the ball the majority of the fanbase would've selected Trey'Dez Green and Dahvon Keys.
If you were excited to see Trey'Dez Green and Dahvon Keys play you were treated to a great performance almost instantly. On the opening drive, LSU chose to go for it on 4th and 5 and Trey'Dez Green came through picking up 6 yards moving the chains. The Tigers then got down into the redzone and we saw how valuable his size is as he went up and hauled in Garrett Nussmeier's pass giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
Nuss connects with the freshman @TreyDez_Green TOUCHDOWN
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/UCOGAPz2BG
The Tigers then went on defense and the first few plays were shaky as Baylor was moving the football with ease but, then the Tigers were the benefactor of a bobbled pass on a screen play as Dahvon Keys picked off the ball and ran it 41 yards the other way for a touchdown.
The freshman takes it to the 🏠@dak3ys
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/hcUEFtlbdU
In the second quarter the Tigers would drive down the field again and Green would make a play we've seen Mason Taylor do countless times as he first handled his block then worked his way open for an easy touchdown.
Someone may want to cover @TreyDez_Green
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
TOUCHDOWN TIGERS
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/bkWtOw0145
As the Baylor Bears tried to mount a comeback in the 2nd quarter, Baylor found itself in a 3rd and 1 but, Dahvon Keys flew around the edge and made a tackle for a slight loss forcing Baylor to punt the ball right back to LSU.
Have a day @dak3ys. The Freshman stuffs the Bears on 3rd & 1.
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/ffoX7uQC6y
Keys finished the game with 5 tackles, 3 solo tackles, an interception, a pass breakup, and a touchdown. When you watch Keys alongside Whit Weeks, the speed jumps off the film and if Harold Perkins is the third linebacker with them the Tigers will have linebackers that can fly around making plays covering sideline to sideline.
Trey'Dez Green ended the game with 6 catches for 53 yards and a pair of touchdowns surpassing his yards total for the season and tying his touchdowns for the season. This season, LSU struggled a ton with being efficient in the redzone, heading into 2025, the Tigers have the weapon of Green's size in the redzone which should make a massive difference.
The Tigers have two young emerging stars in Trey'Dez Green and Dahvon Keys adding another level of excitement for the 2025 season.