Previewing LSU Football's Wide Receiver room for the 2024 Season

While many of the questions surrounding the LSU Football team are around the defense the offense has a few questions itself. Garrett Nussmeier will face a tough task in replacing a Heisman Winner in Jayden Daniels but, the wide receiver core may have a tougher challenge. The LSU Football team will be tasked with replacing two first-round picks at Wide Receiver which is incredibly difficult, especially with a room of newcomers. Here are the names to watch in the battle for starting roles in the LSU Offense at Wide Receiver:

The Lock:

Kyren Lacy

Despite Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr eating up a majority of Jayden Daniels' pass attempts, Kyren Lacy was impressive throughout the 2023 season. Lacy finished the 2023 season with 558 yards and 7 touchdowns on 30 catches averaging 18.6 yards per reception. Now with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr in the NFL Lacy, will be asked to be Garrett Nussmeier's top target. This spring, Kyren Lacy was incredibly impressive and everyone expects that Lacy will emerge as the team's top receiver but, he'll certainly be a starter either way.

The Four Competitors for Two Spots:

Chris Hilton Jr

The Redshirt Junior returns as the elder statesmen of the wide receiver room having contributed across three seasons. In 2023, Hilton was able to contribute with 13 catches for 225 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Working in Hilton's favor is his performance with Garrett Nussmeier at Quarterback as he had a season-high 56 yards in the Reliaquest Bowl. If Hilton can stay healthy in 2024, he'll be one of the team's top receivers and likely a starter.

Aaron Anderson

After spending his Freshman season at Alabama, the New Orleans native returned home where he played for the LSU Tigers in 2023. In 2023, Anderson recorded 12 catches for 52 yards while serving time on punt and kick returns. Even if Aaron Anderson doesn't start, his versatility will make him a weapon for the LSU offense in the passing attack and as an extension of the run game.

CJ Daniels

The wide receiver with the most production at the College Level for LSU will be Liberty transfer CJ Daniels. In 2023, Daniels had his best season to date catching 55 passes for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns after recording 51 catches for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns over the three prior seasons. If not for injuries in 2022, Daniels would've likely been an NFL Draft pick last season however, the LSU Tigers are happy to nab him from the transfer portal.

The Tigers will have a receiver in Daniels that is incredibly explosive with the ability to take the top off of any defense. Daniels is versatile with experience playing in the slot and on the outside which makes it easy to get him on the field this season.

Zavion Thomas

The other key transfer wide receiver that LSU brought in this off-season was Zavion Thomas from SEC Rival Mississippi State. At Mississippi State, Thomas finished second on the team in receiving with 40 catches for 503 yards and a touchdown. Where Thomas will certainly make an impact as a returner where he earned All-American Freshman honors in 2022.

In the Spring Game, Thomas put his ability on display beating the defense deep for a touchdown pass from Garrett Nussmeier. This Spring, Thomas spent the majority of his time with the second team alongside CJ Daniels but, as both get acclimated within the offense they'll start to climb up the depth chart.

Could fly up the depth chart this fall:

Kyle Parker

As a true freshman in 2023, Parker played sparingly receiving playing time in only four games this past season. In 2024, Parker could become a pivotal piece of this LSU offense in part due to his speed. This spring Parker's development was one of the biggest takeaways from camp as he eventually worked his way into snaps with the starting offense.

Shelton Sampson Jr

Like Kyle Parker, as a true freshman, Shelton Sampson Jr played sparingly for the LSU Football team appearing in only three games. Sampson Jr may breakout this season as an incredible route runner with great speed. If not for the LSU Football team having two of the Nation's top receivers in 2023, Sampson likely would have been ready to start in 2024.

Kylan Billiot

The Tigers landed 22nd ranked wide receiver and the 101st-ranked player in this past signing class in Louisiana Native Kylan Billiot. In Billiot, the LSU Football team is getting a raw athlete which will certainly help in his development as a wide receiver. Throughout the showcases for High School Recruits, Billiot showed an ability to create separation and make incredible catches which could help him in getting on the field early on.

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