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Message
The new landscape of CFB has forced BK to change his philosophy regarding OL.
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:31 pm
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:31 pm
He’s always had the reputation of having really good OLs. His philosophy starts with recruiting. He likes to get tall, athletic guys who are undersized when they get to campus, typically redshirt, and wind up becoming starters in their 4th/5th year seasons who have been in his system for that long. So he typically has older, more experienced OL that have not only been in the system, but have also played next to each other for years. Even if it was on the scout team the 1st season or 2
and running with the 2s and 3s until they’re ready. There’s a HUGE difference between a 22 or 23-year-old OL than a 19-20 year old.
I don’t have the data in front of me, but I’d bet almost anything that his Notre Dame OLs were consistently one of the older groups in CFB most years.
Unfortunately, with NIL and the transfer portal, that philosophy just doesn’t work now. Guys don’t stay long enough to develop both physically and mentally. So he’s forced to play a mix of talented, but inexperienced and underdeveloped young guys (who are talented, just not ready) and veteran guys he gets from the portal. And that’s not a great recipe for success because they haven’t played together.
All coaches are having to deal with this, but I think it’s harder on Kelly because it’s so different than the philosophy that helped made his OLs—and offenses—successful during most of his career. Same with TEs.
I think we may have to start focusing on NIL for retention for our young, talented OL to get them to stay despite not starting for a few years. I know that’s hard to justify if we have to sacrifice using that NIL on stars and starters, but I think it’s the only real sustainable move.
It’s up to BK, Austin Thomas, and Brad Davis—or his potential successor—to find the right balance. And our donors to buy in and keep the money flowing.
and running with the 2s and 3s until they’re ready. There’s a HUGE difference between a 22 or 23-year-old OL than a 19-20 year old.
I don’t have the data in front of me, but I’d bet almost anything that his Notre Dame OLs were consistently one of the older groups in CFB most years.
Unfortunately, with NIL and the transfer portal, that philosophy just doesn’t work now. Guys don’t stay long enough to develop both physically and mentally. So he’s forced to play a mix of talented, but inexperienced and underdeveloped young guys (who are talented, just not ready) and veteran guys he gets from the portal. And that’s not a great recipe for success because they haven’t played together.
All coaches are having to deal with this, but I think it’s harder on Kelly because it’s so different than the philosophy that helped made his OLs—and offenses—successful during most of his career. Same with TEs.
I think we may have to start focusing on NIL for retention for our young, talented OL to get them to stay despite not starting for a few years. I know that’s hard to justify if we have to sacrifice using that NIL on stars and starters, but I think it’s the only real sustainable move.
It’s up to BK, Austin Thomas, and Brad Davis—or his potential successor—to find the right balance. And our donors to buy in and keep the money flowing.
17
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:37 pm to Hot Carl
quote:
I think we may have to start focusing on NIL for retention for our young, talented OL to get them to stay despite not starting for a few years. I know that’s hard to justify if we have to sacrifice using that NIL on stars and starters, but I think it’s the only real sustainable move. It’s up to BK, Austin Thomas, and Brad Davis—or his potential successor—to find the right balance. And our donors to buy in and keep the money flowing.
Other than Heard, no one who had a real shot at starting has left via the portal. Anyone else who has moved on has done so because they knew they weren’t getting on the field here. They must be paying them something to stick around.
I do agree with you that the changes in the sport are going to force BK to change his OL philosophy a bit. But he’s been willing to change in other areas like NIL and the Portal, so I think he will. Hopefully a better OL coach will help with that change, as well.
This post was edited on 10/9/25 at 6:39 pm
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:41 pm to Hot Carl
How do NFL teams do it? Those guys are plug and play. They get traded all the time and never miss a beat
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:47 pm to Hot Carl
This OL is just bad and it has little to do with chemistry. They're soft, weak, inexperienced, timid, and rudderless. Not one player on this line aside from maybe Moore plays with anything resembling confidence or passion.
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:47 pm to Hot Carl
If you look through my post history(not far), I have certified data that Brad Davis makes teams rush for less yards on average everywhere he goes.
Kelly's issue is retaining him, among other things.....
Kelly's issue is retaining him, among other things.....
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:48 pm to Hot Carl
Excuses….Excuses….Excuses….
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:53 pm to Slim
quote:
Excuses….Excuses….Excuses….
Reasons…reasons…reasons…
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:53 pm to Hot Carl
quote:
He likes to get tall, athletic guys who are undersized when they get to campus, typically redshirt, and wind up becoming starters in their 4th/5th year seasons who have been in his system for that long. So he typically has older, more experienced OL that have not only been in the system, but have also played next to each other for years.
He also played the service academies, several directional schools, and juggernauts like Temple when at ND. He found out at ND that dont work when playing the major contenders. I am sure he knew that formula would not work here.
His last OL here played 3 yrs together...
This post was edited on 10/9/25 at 6:54 pm
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:56 pm to Hot Carl
Lmao
Posted on 10/9/25 at 6:57 pm to misey94
quote:
a better OL coach will help with that change, as well.
This is the real issue. Talent is good enough to be so much better than they are, but Davis might be the worst coach on the staff
Posted on 10/9/25 at 7:52 pm to The Pirate King
quote:
This OL is just bad and it has little to do with chemistry. They're soft, weak, inexperienced, timid, and rudderless. Not one player on this line aside from maybe Moore plays with anything resembling confidence or passion.
This is the truth.
And it seems to bleed into the entire offense. WR have given really poor effort so far this year in down field blocking particularly in the run game.
I think this reflects the leadership of the offense including HC, OC, OL coach, and lack of “on field leadership”.
The defense clearly plays with a completely different mentality, which is glaring evidence that the leadership is not coming from the HC but rather the coordinators.
I don’t like BK relying so heavily on his coordinators.
The great coaches always set the bar in terms of leadership.
We are lacking leadership.
Posted on 10/9/25 at 7:54 pm to Hot Carl
He has been at LSU for 4 years. If that was his approach, we should have a great Oline this year. We don't. Next excuse!!
Posted on 10/9/25 at 7:56 pm to Hot Carl
Starting 5 for most games has been 3rd yr, 3rd yr, 4th yr, 5th yr 2nd yr. Backups have been 3rd yr, 3rd yr, and curne as the fr splash. We have a mature line, they just aren't good, or the zone scheme sucks, or dont mesh well (or all of the above).
Posted on 10/9/25 at 7:58 pm to Codythetiger
quote:
How do NFL teams do it? Those guys are plug and play. They get traded all the time and never miss a beat
They’re NFL players
Posted on 10/9/25 at 8:02 pm to QB
Excellent response. The only issue he has is ineptitude and laziness. HE is the one getting paid 10 million a year to do the damn job. Any coach with those responsibilities needs to get the job done. No damn excuses. He has virtually no accountability. Saban did it. He needs to study the coaches that are currently beating him and mimic their choices at a minimum. This isn’t rocket science, but you have to WORK.
Posted on 10/9/25 at 8:07 pm to QB
quote:
He has been at LSU for 4 years. If that was his approach, we should have a great Oline this year. We don't. Next excuse!!
The first class declared early and Heard left for greener pastures. If the pattern had played out as Hot Carl had suggested, LSU would still have Campbell, Jones, Heard, and a 5th year Senior in Dellinger.
Posted on 10/9/25 at 8:07 pm to Hot Carl
This makes no sense. OL is like any other position in the portal era. You can do it homegrown, or through the portal, or a mixture of both. It is not rocket science, they are just making it look that way.
Not replacing your two NFL OT's with major transfer portal players was a major fail.
Your offensive coaches, collectively, are a humongous fail.
This isn't a philosophy issue lol.
Not replacing your two NFL OT's with major transfer portal players was a major fail.
Your offensive coaches, collectively, are a humongous fail.
This isn't a philosophy issue lol.
Posted on 10/9/25 at 8:08 pm to Hot Carl
Last couple of weeks I watched UT and OSU try and run the ball, ugly. Those are the two biggest NIL and recruiting budgets
We stink but it’s not just us.
We stink but it’s not just us.
Posted on 10/9/25 at 8:09 pm to Hot Carl
quote:
All coaches are having to deal with this, but I think it’s harder on Kelly
Kind of how Covid was harder on O than it was on all the other coaches, huh?Posted on 10/9/25 at 8:14 pm to Hot Carl
Ill say it again. LSU needs to join up with someone like ULL. A school who is close geographically and also lacking funds for NIL.
You stick all of your young players who need to develop at ULL, and your guys who you can count on at LSU. He'll, stick young guys who are good on LSU as well.
It allows the young guys to get playing time and develop, while also building their case for more NIL funds.
It allows LSU to have those guys transfer over when ready and also "self scout" when they may need help from the transfer portal for a certain position. There is currently 0 rules or regulations that prevent this from happening.
You stick all of your young players who need to develop at ULL, and your guys who you can count on at LSU. He'll, stick young guys who are good on LSU as well.
It allows the young guys to get playing time and develop, while also building their case for more NIL funds.
It allows LSU to have those guys transfer over when ready and also "self scout" when they may need help from the transfer portal for a certain position. There is currently 0 rules or regulations that prevent this from happening.
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