Football camp notebook: Maea Teuhema absent, causing shuffle up front

By CODY WORSHAM | Tiger Rag Editor 

Let the offensive line musical chairs begin.

One day into camp, Jeff Grimes’ unit is already in flux, as expected starting right guard Maea Teuhema is not participating in fall camp due to an academic matter, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said Monday evening. His status remains up in the air, for the time being.

“He’s working on some academic stuff as we know it right now,” Orgeron said. “We’ll know more about it in the next couple of days I’m sure. We are unsure of his status, to be honest. We’re going to see what happens there.”

In the meantime, backup center Lloyd Cushenberry has stepped into Teuhema’s spot at starting right guard. The rest of the starting line remains unchanged: KJ Malone starts at left tackle, Garrett Brumfield at left guard, Will Clapp at center, and Toby Weathersby at right tackle.

Orgeron said freshman Austin Deculus is working at left tackle, as is Sahdiiq Charles, with Adrian Magee swinging between left and right tackle. Edward Ingram is working with the twos at left guard, while Donavaughn Campbell is backing up at right guard and Jakori Savage at right tackle.

“We continue to mix-and-match guys and see where the best place for them is to play,” Orgeron said.

QUARTERBACK TALK

Danny Etling is healthy, and it’s clear, Orgeron said. Asked how his senior quarterback looked on the first day of camp, and Orgeron had only good things to say.

“Healthy. Good. Feeling good out there, smiling, running around,” he said. “Throwing the ball. Seems to be no problems. Seems to be very healthy.

“Knowing Danny man, he’s a battler. He’s a fighter. When he tells me something I believe him. He says, ‘Coach, I’m 95 percent,’ then he’s probably 95 percent.”

Sounds like Etling is about 95 percent.

The other quarterback Orgeron named was true freshman Myles Brennan, who got in his first official workout as a Tiger. The four-star gunslinger from St. Stanislaus in Mississippi will likely do battle for backup duties with fellow freshman Lowel Narcisse, an early enrollee last spring, as well as incumbent reserves Justin McMillan and Lindsey Scott.

“I thought Myles Brennan looked exactly what we thought he was,” Orgeron said. “He’s very talented. Obviously, he’s a freshman. He’s going to make mistakes that freshman make. I thought all the quarterbacks competed pretty hard today.”

Orgeron, asked about Brennan specifically, elaborted on what stood out.

“He threw the ball very well,” he said. “Athletic. Has a command about him, a presence about him as a quarterback. He looked very good for the first day. He didn’t throw any interceptions, I think he maybe went the wrong way one time. A freshman is going to be that way. The execution is going to get there. But as far as the athletic ability, it’s there.”

STANDOUTS

Derrick Dillon and Russell Gage, Wide Receiver

“I tell you what, Derrick Dillon had an outstanding day today. He and Russell Gage are pretty consistent right now. We’re excited about them.”

K’Lavon Chaisson, Outside Linebacker, Freshman

“A guy that keeps on catching our eye is K’Lavon Chaisson. He has one speed, and that’s full speed. I believe he’s weighing 240 right now. Strong, fast and agile.”

Thad Moss, Tight End, Sophomore

“Thad Moss made a lot of great catches. Obviously, he can’t play this year, but he showed some great athletic ability.”

Donnie Alexander, Linebacker, Senior

“We can’t call him little Donnie no more. Got to call him big Donnie. (He weighs) 230, but he has speed.”

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