Tigers Conduct First Spring Scrimmage

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Defensive line shines in first of four spring scrimmages.

by Matt Reynolds
Tiger Rag Assistant Editor

(At left, LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis is quickly becoming a team leader on defense according to Les Miles. (Photo by Matt Deville)

On arguably the most gorgeous day of the young year thus far, the LSU Tigers conducted the first of four spring scrimmages Saturday morning.

LSU coach Les Miles said the defense looked to be ahead of the offense on a morning where the first and second teams each had 48 plays in what the Tiger coach said would be the shortest of the spring scrimmages.

“Boy that defense was really getting after it,” Miles said. “It was a long practice this morning and a good one. You can tell it is still way early and we are not ready to go though. Part of the reason I think the offense struggled was to do with getting a new center in there.”

The Tigers front runner for the starting center spot, T-Bob Hebert, is still recovering from a serious knee injury and did not participate in the scrimmage. Redshirt freshman PJ Lonergan worked the position for the first team, while Will Blackwell was snapping for the two’s.

The Tigers flip-flopped on Saturday, after the offense lit it up during the last practice. Miles pointed to a particular of the defensive unit that caught his eye.

“It certainly has been back in forth so far this spring,” Miles said. “But I tell you that defensive front really played well today. Drake Nevis and Al Woods are really developing into leaders.”

The fifth-year Tiger coach seemed especially pleased with the attitude the newly ensembled LSU defensive staff has brought out in its players, saying it has been, “a different feel at practice and it’s been great to see the players respond to the coaches.”

Miles said he isn’t surprised in the renewed spirit, because of what he knew he was getting when defensive coordinator John Chavis came on board.

“When we played against them (Tennessee), I really took noticed of how well they stopped the run,” Miles said. “And one game they would through a lot of man at you and did it really well, then the next game they would come with a zone attack, so it was always difficult to know what to expect out of them.”

All four quarterbacks took equal snaps in the scrimmage, but as one would imagine, the experienced players continue to separate themselves.

“Both (Jordan) Jefferson and (Jarret) Lee are looking good and are clearly ahead,” Miles said. “But thats not to say the young guys didn’t do some things out there today. Both (Chris) Garrett and (Russell) Shepard did some good things. To tell you the truth, I really wish I had another practice, just to work with the young ones.”

As far as the green jerseys go, running back Trindon Holliday, who has been working out with the football team for the last three practices, was in a green shirt today for precautionary measures pertaining to his upcoming track meet.

Drayton Calhoun, a 6-0, 175 pound freshman tailback from Georgia who is getting more snaps due to Stevan Ridley’s injury, was also in green.

The other green jerseys were familiar by now this spring, as they were worn by Hebert and linebacker Shomari Clemons.

Sophomore defensive back Brandon Taylor missed practice after coming down with the flu.