LSU's Ed Orgeron provides update on Kevontre Bradford ahead of Week 2
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron gave another update Thursday on running back Kevontre Bradford, a former LSU Tigers back that returned after a short stint at Oklahoma.
“[Bradford] practiced with us today for the first time,” Orgeron said. “I don’t think he’s eligible to play this Saturday; I need to find that out tomorrow. [Freshman] Corey Kiner will play. All our young players will play, hopefully. We’re going to put them in and let them go.”
Orgeron did not seem optimistic about Bradford’s status, a slight step down from his open-ended remark on the SEC coaches teleconference that Bradford’s status is “up in the air.”
After one season in Baton Rogue, Bradford transferred to Oklahoma in June. Following summer workouts and fall camp with the Sooners, Bradford opted to return to LSU.
Unfortunately for Oklahoma, Bradford’s departure left them with just two scholarship running backs on their roster, Eric Gray and Kennedy Brooks.
As for LSU, the running back joins an Tigers team that’s reeling from a Week One upset loss to UCLA. The Tigers struggled to run the football against the Bruins, accumulating just 49 rushing yards as a team.
As a freshman at LSU, Bradford appeared in five games, rushing ten times for 58 yards — a long of 12 yards — and had a touchdown reception on three catches for 13 yards. The 5-foot-10, 213-pound running back out of Cincinnati, Ohio was ranked a four-star recruit out of high school, where he had a decorated four-year career for Roger Bacon High School. He finished his prep career ranked No. 10 in Ohio High School Athletic Association history in rushing yards with 7,130, and No. 3 all -time in scoring, with 772 overall points, rushing touchdowns, with 116 and total touchdowns, with 125.
Max Johnson on what Bradford brings to LSU
In the season opener, LSU quarterback Max Johnson didn’t get much help from his running game. While Johnson passed for 330 yards and three touchdowns, the Tigers running backs combined for just 49 yards total.
With Bradford’s arrival — or, re-arrival — in Baton Rogue, Johnson hopes the Tigers’ rushing attack will soon trend in the right direction.
“I think he’s a great runner, he sees the holes,” Johnson said, “He’s actually a really good pass catcher as well. I think he brings great energy.We’re all looking forward to having him back. I think it creates more depth for our running back room.”
Last season, Johnson and Bradford connected on a four-yard touchdown pass against Florida. The score put LSU up 34-31 at the time, and they would go on to upset the Gators, 37-34.
Additionally, Bradford showed off his prowess in the rushing game in LSU’s 53-48 victory over Ole Miss last season. The running back rushed for 53 yards on just nine attempts, helping the Tigers offense accumulate 593 total yards in an offensive explosion.
Evidently, the return of Bradford will be met with open arms from Max Johnson. If the two can recapture their magic from last season, perhaps the LSU offense can get back on track.