We were so top heavy and great at WR to start the season that we somehow convinced ourselves we were deep. We weren’t, and we’re not, numbers-wise. I don’t think there’s a team in the country that can lineup 1-5 at WR and have as little drop off as LSU. Boutte was a preseason All-American after being hurt almost al last season, missed fall camp and some of summer with his new QB, after the 5th game of the season has less than 100 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, and there’s this ridiculous clowd hanging over him that he’s already checked out.

Yet, all the draft experts have him going in the 1st round, most in the top 2 or 3 WRs off the board. He’s gonna get in rhythm soon and take off and wind up having a very nice season.

Malik Nabers has been making explosive plays since he stepped on the field as a freshman and has been raved about since just about his 1st practice that he’s “that dude,” and was able to show off while Boutte was hurt last year. I think every single media member could tell he was special as soon as they saw him. He battled injuries a bit last year, got more attention with Boutte being out, and had Max Johnson throwing him the ball last year, so he didn’t really explode on the scene like we knew he was capable, but figured he’d have a breakout season this year.

Jack Bech is a really good athlete, but maybe a better football, so instinctive with a knack for making big plays when they have to be made, was taken to the SEC Media Days as a SO, and was poised to be a really really good #3 before he got shin splints wich really set him back both physically and mentally. Shin splints hurt like a mofo and he simply couldn’t practice when they were installing the offense.

Which opened the door for Jaray Jenkins and BTJ to move up—and they may have anyway, because I think there’s a good argument to be made that they have been out 2 best WRs so far this seasons.

So basically, there’s very little drop off Between our 1-5 and and any of them could go off any game and lead the team. Lacy has emerged as a really nice and dependable #6 as well. This Hilton injury hurts a bit, though. Kelly was impressed with his speed in the spring and I think they planned on using him a good bit to take the top off of the defense and opening up the middle of the field for the other guys.

Now he’s out, so we’ve basically got 6 WRs. I checked the roster to see what other bodies we had there. Not good. This is the size and experience of those 1st 6 guys:

Boutte 6’0” 205 JR
Nabors 6’0” 195 SO
Jenkins 6’2” 200 SR
BTJ 6’4” 201 JR
Jack Bech 6’2” 215 SO
Lacy 6’2” 217 JR

(Hilton and Ibieta appear to be done for the year, so we can likely forget them)

**Hilton 6’1” 182 RF**
**Ibieta 5’11” 192 FR**

Then we’ve got 7 basically camp/scout team bodies out there to take reps so our starters don’t die. Had anybody ever heard of Clayton until he returned punts or kicks against Southern? Never? Me either.

Clayton, Jr. 6’0” 192 JR

I’m assuming Helaire is related to Clyde to but he’s 5’9” 150

Cowinn Helaire 5’9” 150 FR

Javen Nicholas 5’9” 180 FR

RJ Willis 6’ 187 RF

Noah Nash 5’11” 182 FR

Evan Francione 6’0” 201 SR

Jack Rilling 5’9” 180 RF

Some of y’all probably know some of the other guys from high school around the state, but I’m not sure any of them have a a career reception besides Francioni who has 1. For 14 yards against Southern this year.

We are great 1-6, probably the best in the country. But there is a HUGE drop off after 6, and we really can’t afford injuries at that position, whether it’s severe ones or just a few nagging ones. That’s something to keep an eye on.

Same thing that happened with the DL. Because we convinced ourselves our starters were so talented, we assumed we were deep. We very much were not against FSU after Smith went down. We played 3 interior DL—Roy, Wingo (thank God for him) and Guillory for about 15 plays. We’re better there because guys like Ali and BJ and Perkins are versatile, BJ and Ali can slide inside some because of their frames, we’re developing young depth faster than we thought, and Matt House is a fricking beast.

But we’re a couple of key injuries from that strength becomeing a weakness really quickly too. Let us all pray to the football gods. And