Brian Kelly provides an assessment of LSU's younger group of running backs

On3 imageby:Justin Rudolph06/20/22

The LSU Tigers first-year head coach Brian Kelly has his work cut out for him setting up a new offense before the start of next season. After one of the Tigers spring practices, Kelly revealed what he sees out of the younger LSU running backs thus far.

“Yeah, you saw Armoni (Goodwin) hit a downhill direct snap inside our zone plan. He’s got low pads, obviously, just by his stature, but he’s explosive,” said Kelly.(Josh) Williams has done a nice job. They’ve all got different skill sets, and they all can contribute in some fashion.”

Both Goodwin and Williams saw the field last season for the Tigers. Goodwin had 16 rushes for 65 yards averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Williams had 23 attempts for 107 yards with an average of 4.7 yards per carry.

Last season for LSU, the majority of the load at running back was carried by Tyrion Davis-Price. He finished last season with the majority of LSU’s rushing attempts, yards and rushing touchdowns. But with Davis-Price now in the NFL and a member of the San Francisco 49ers, the Tigers will need somebody else to carry the workload at running back.

“We’re gonna add another back, (Noah) Cain; he’s gonna come in as well. I just think that you’re going to see a lot of guys play at that position and I think we’re going to play to each one of their traits as well. I think Tre (Bradford) has done a really nice job and he’s improved from day one. He didn’t know how to practice, he’s starting to understand how to practice. So, I’m really pleased, each one of them has shown different traits that they have and we will play to those. I don’t know that you’ll see one guy on the field for first, second, and third down per se, I think each one of them will contribute.”

For his first year at the helm, Kelly appears to have his options open for the LSU offense. Kelly has yet to name a starter at quarterback for the Tigers and has suggested that he is open to utilizing his best-suited quarterback, given the situation. The LSU headman appears to have his work cut out for him heading into the 2022 season. However, given his track record, Tigers fans can anticipate Kelly finding a way to make the pieces fit for the LSU offense.