Kyren Lacy has perhaps been LSU’s greatest offensive player this spring, and he made another incredible catch that demonstrated what he could be capable of next season.
Lacy ran a hitch route near the end of a full-team practice session on Saturday. Garrett Nussmeier threw the ball high to evade tight coverage on his target, and Lacy sprang to make the catch. He broke a tackle as he landed, then spun upfield for a long gain that placed the offense in scoring position.
Lacy’s practice highlight reel is increasing.
Two weeks ago, the senior wide receiver caught a deep pass over the back of safety Jardin Gilbert. Earlier this week, he followed a pass down the sideline while CB PJ Woodland crossed his chest. A few plays before the one reported earlier on Saturday, he dove sideways to save a ball from touching the turf.
“He has been everything,” LSU coach Brian Kelly stated. “How he works. The manner he practises. He has truly established a high standard for everyone.”
Kelly said Lacy’s focus has increased since his return to LSU as the third-leading receiver. He is not easily sidetracked, and his consistency has been a positive omen for the next season.
Kelly believed Lacy inherited his practice habits from Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, both expected first-round picks in the 2016 NFL draft.
“I think he learned a lot last year watching Malik and BT and the way they came to practice every day and how they performed and said, ‘I can do this, too,'” said Kelly. “I’m really proud of him — and happy for him — because he’s going to have a breakout season because of it.”
Kelly singled out a few other players during practice, which was the last one fully accessible to the media until the spring game next Saturday. LSU will practice twice more with limited viewing opportunities next week.
Guillory’s run defense
There are legitimate concerns about the defense, particularly on the interior. However, Kelly noted fifth-year senior defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory “has been outstanding” against the run.
Guillory was the lone returning defensive tackle who saw substantial action last season. He had a career-high 27 tackles while playing in every game with one start.
“He has been a stalwart,” Kelly remarked. “We need to find the other man, and that is what we are looking for. We’re looking to develop that second man, and then we’ll have some depth players behind him.”
For the second consecutive day, converted offensive lineman Kimo Makane’ole took first-team reps alongside Guillory. Fifth-year senior Jalen Lee and junior college transfer Shone Washington have also been considered, although LSU is more likely to seek the position once the transfer portal reopens. Wisconsin transfer Gio Paez has already committed.
“I would say it’s a work in progress,” defensive coordinator Blake Baker said Thursday of the defensive tackles, “but I will say that they have shown improvement daily.”
With defensive tackles needed on the field to stop the run, Kelly stated, “We’re going to have to really work hard in getting after the quarterback on first and second down.” But Kelly voiced confidence that LSU can put pressure on third down, where it ranked 117th nationally last year. The opponents had a 44.83% conversion rate.
LSU has depth at defensive end, and on Saturday, it demonstrated third-down packages that utilized all of its top pass rushers at once. Defensive ends Bradyn Swinson and Paris Shand were positioned inside, while linebacker Harold Perkins and redshirt freshman defensive end Da’Shawn Womack lined up on the outside.
“You’ve got a different configuration (on third down),” Kelly told reporters. “I think we can be really dynamic with some of the defensive linemen moving the pieces around.”
The defense applied a fair amount of pressure. Senior defensive end Sai’vion Jones and Perkins forced incomplete passes. Shand recorded a sack against the second team offense. On the final play of practice, Swinson and Womack forced a hurried incompletion on third-and-long against the backup offense.
Standout Star
When asked who has shown out thus far, Kelly singled out senior safety Major Burns, claiming he has improved in coverage more than anybody else.
Kelly said Burns “was a little sloppy in coverage last year,” but has performed well this spring. Burns went to the Star position, which is presently employed by LSU’s defense. Coaches believe that moving him closer to the line of scrimmage will better fit his skill set.
“He has really taken a step up in the program and put himself squarely in a position to be a leader,” she said. “He stands out for me.”
Holly’s path back
Kelly said Trey Holly, a suspended redshirt freshman running back, could have his case completed this month after being detained in connection with a shooting. Despite being away from the squad, he has maintained his eligibility by completing online courses.
On Friday, a Union Parish grand jury dismissed Holly’s attempted second-degree murder accusation. He is still charged with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon or hazardous equipment. Holly’s attorney, Mike Small, said he will plead not guilty.
“We were confident, based upon information that was shared to us,” Kelly went on to say.
Small informed The Advocate that Holly’s arraignment is scheduled for April 17, but he intends to reschedule due to another case. If Holly is legally cleared, she will be able to rejoin the team.
“At that time, we’ll begin the process of assisting him for reinstatement,” Kelly told reporters. “We’ll advocate for him on his behalf and welcome him back.”
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