Five priorities for Brian Kelly at LSU in 2022

With new head coach Brian Kelly heading to Baton Rouge from Notre Dame for the upcoming 2022 season, he has quite the task with rebuilding the flailing Tiger program. Here are five points of emphasis Kelly has to address in year one to have success right off the bat:

1. Fixing the quarterback situation

LSU’s would-be QB1 Myles Brennan went down with a season-ending injury in the preseason and eventually put his name in the transfer portal in November before removing it after Kelly was announced as the new headman. Max Johnson, who started all 12 games for the Tigers this season has taken a similar route and is headed to Texas A&M for 2022.

Brennan will likely be the favorite to take over as starter again, but redshirt freshmen Garrett Nussmeier and true freshman Walker Howard could give him a run for his money.

2. The offensive line

Since winning the national title in 2019, LSU’s offensive line has allowed 63 sacks in two seasons while averaging just 3.3 yards per carry over that span as well.

For better or for worse, the Tigers are losing four of their five starters as well. Guards Ed Ingram and Chasen Hines, center Liam Shanahan and right tackle Ed Deculus are all leaving Baton Rouge in some capacity.

LSU does have some experience returning, but Kelly and his staff have been searching for depth in the transfer portal with signings of Miles Frazier from FIU and Tre’Mond Shorts from Tennessee State. They also have a five-star true freshman Will Campbell coming in this fall as well.

3. Addressing the rushing attack

On top of averaging just 3.3 yards per carry over two seasons — LSU only has two 40-plus yard gains throughout the span as well.

LSU ran for 964 yards through their eight-game SEC slate and gained over half of that in just two games (468 combined) against Kentucky and Florida. RB1 Tyrion Davis-Price is taking his talents to the NFL, which is leaving Kelly scrambling to find a new star in the backfield.

Corey Kiner, Josh Williams, Tre Bradford and John Emery are names to keep and eye on and are all back for LSU next season. Penn State transfer Noah Cain is headed to Baton Rouge as well.

4. Reloading the linebackers

New defensive coordinator Matt House will have his hands full trying to rebuild the Tigers defensive core thanks to the departure of Damone Clark (136 tackles in 2021).

Micah Baskerville opted to return, and Mike Jones Jr. is slated for a larger role after recording 34 tackles last season. Virginia transfer West Weeks (31 tackles in 2021) will bring immediate help, and Greg Penn III is an emerging star to keep an eye on.

5. Rebuilding the secondary

The self-proclaimed ‘DBU’ will be starting from scratch after the departure of star corners Derek Stingley Jr. and Eli Ricks (transferred to Alabama). They’ve also lost Cordale Flott and Dwight McGlothern, while the safety position lost Cam Lewis to the NFL.

Despite the loss of Lewis, the safety position should be just fine with Arkansas Transfer Joe Foucha, not to mention Jay Ward, Sage Ryan and Derrick Davis returning. Greg Brooks is also set to arrive from Arkansas and Mekhi Garner from Louisiana to help out the corner position.