Any updates from the Saturday scrimmage?

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Switching over to football, LSU returned to practice yesterday, and coach Brian Kelly addressed the media afterward. Here is a really quick summary of what he said. If you have time to spare this Sunday morning and would like to hear more, I’ve posted a video of the entire press conference in our Media Gallery.

• The team’s identity is starting to show itself. Kelly said on more than one occasion that the sum is going to be greater than any of the parts—presumably contrasting this year’s team to last year’s squad, which featured a Heisman quarterback and two first-round wide receivers. “A lot of players will take important roles, but we’re going to need everybody,” he said.

• LSU’s defensive will feature what Blake Baker calls the “star” position. It’s like a “nickel corner” but with a few different responsibilities. Kelly said it provides a lot of versatility within the defensive structure and requires a guy who can handle man coverage, can blitz, can play zone, and is rugged enough to handle himself at the line of scrimmage. Kelly said Major Burns really fits that role.

• When explicitly asked about Chris Hilton, Kelly said that now that Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, Jr. have moved on, the mantle has been passed to Hilton, and it’s his time. He’s had a really good spring and has developed a consistency that he lacked in the past. Kelly later spoke highly of Kyren Lacey and implied he would also have a primary role in the receiver room.

• Dashawn Womack, who was coming off shoulder surgery last season, has developed well and has a chance to be an elite pass rusher. Brayden Swinson, too. Kelly said both can be top players at the EDGE position in the SEC. He added that Saivion Jones is not necessarily an EDGE rusher and is more of a B-gap player with great flexibility who can also play inside.

• Offensive tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones will be much more involved in LSU’s offense this year as the focus turns to replacing quarterback Jayden Daniels’ rushing production. The staff has been getting Campbell and Jones much more involved in the run scheme by using “pin and pull” and “outside zone” concepts that feature them.

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