Brian Kelly updates the offensive line battle
While much of the attention on LSU has rightly been centered on the quarterback competition between Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier, head coach Brian Kelly has quietly become confident with what the Tigers have to offer on the offensive line. And if the offensive line play is good, it’ll make it a lot easier for whoever is taking snaps at quarterback.
Kelly thinks the starting five is settled, and at this point it’s a matter of solidifying who the sixth, seventh and even eighth linemen on the depth chart will be. Those extra linemen could rotate in for heavy packages and are obviously first in line should a starter miss time.
“I think what we’re looking for is some key backup situations,” Kelly said. “I think we’ve got a pretty good sense of the five, six guys — and now it’s about getting that seventh, seventh maybe eighth guy. But we’re, we feel pretty comfortable with knowing that we’ve got seven, eight guys and that’s going to be our rotation.”
Garrett Dellinger has taken hold of the center role, according to Kelly, and Anthony Bradford has worked at guard, meaning Cameron Wire will keep working at tackle.
So while the group might be solidified but there will surely be some tinkering between now and the opener against Florida State, but that’s seemingly because the LSU coaching staff can shake things — not that it needs to.
“We’re still moving some pieces around. You know I can tell you that the good part is Garrett Dellinger’s really settled in at the center position,” Kelly said. “I think, you know it was last week where I was pretty vocal about the snaps. He’s really settled in nicely since that day and has taken ownership at that position and has been extremely consistent, so we feel really good there at the center position. You know, we’ve been working Bradford at some guard position. But as you know, earlier he’s played a lot of tackle. So that’s giving Cam Wire some opportunity there.”