Lance Heard didn't travel with LSU for Reliaquest Bowl
LSU offensive tackle Lance Heard did not travel with the Tigers to Tampa for the Reliaquest Bowl matchup with Wisconsin, sources tell The Bengal Tiger staff.
Heard, a true freshman, played in all 12 games for LSU this season. He earned one start, getting the nod at right tackle vs. Army as Emery Jones recovered from injury.
The reasoning for Heard’s absence has not been confirmed by head coach Brian Kelly.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Heard was the No. 22 overall prospect in the country, No. 4 offensive tackle in the nation and No. 2 prospect in Louisiana.
LSU’s starting offensive line remains intact ahead of bowl game
While Heard did not travel with the team to Tampa and was not present for the team’s first practice at Jesuit High on Wednesday, the offensive line still has all five starters available and on hand for preparations for Wisconsin.
LSU left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Garrett Dellinger, center Charles Turner, right guard Miles Frazier and right tackle Emery Jones all made the trip and practiced on Wednesday, sources tell The Bengal Tiger staff.
The Tigers also have the remaining backup offensive linemen on hand for bowl preparations in Florida.
LSU is set to take on Wisconsin on January 1 at 11 a.m. CT.
Tigers working with co-offensive coordinators for bowl game
With LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s taking the same position at Notre Dame, Kelly is moving forward with a pair of current coaches as co-offensive coordinators in quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton.
“I’m confident in Cortez and Joe’s ability to run the offense,” Kelly said. “They will collaborate in the passing game and work with Brad (Davis) and Frank (Wilson) in the running game. They will execute a great game plan for us. They are a cohesive group of coaches and I’m excited about this opportunity for them. I know they will do a good job.”
Davis is in his third season as LSU’s offensive line coach, while Wilson returned to Baton Rouge for another stint on staff after Kelly hired him upon his arrival ahead of the 2022 season.
