Ed Orgeron confirms LSU shuffling offensive line

Inside: Thompson out for Saturday; LSU to honor Mike VI

By JAMES MORAN
Tiger Rag Associate Editor

Change is indeed coming to LSU’s offensive line.

Andy Dodd will start at center and Ethan Pocic will slide out to right tackle, Ed Orgeron confirmed on his radio show Wednesday night. Maea Teuhema will presumably shift inside to left guard, where he started 11 games last season.

LSU’s first-team offensive line has worked predominantly in this configuration — K.J. Malone will be at left tackle and Josh Boutte at right guard — during open practice the past two weeks.

Orgeron confirmed LSU would have started that lineup if it played Florida this past weekend, but added the impromptu bye week did help get the group acclimated to the shuffle. Garrett Brumfield, who replaced left guard Will Clapp against Missouri, would likely be the next man in.

The changes were born of necessity due to the continued absence of starting right tackle Toby Weathersby (ankle) and Clapp (arm). Orgeron hinted last week that both would miss multiple games.

According to Orgeron, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes made the call on shuffling the offensive line. The interim coach has said repeatedly that he allows his position coaches managerial autonomy over their personnel.

Here’s a few other bits of news from Orgeron’s radio show:

– Outside linebacker Corey Thompson, who returned to practice this week, won’t play against Southern Miss.

– Orgeron said LSU has some kind of tribute planned to honor the late Mike VI, who died Tuesday, but declined to reveal any specifics.

– Asked about quarterback recruiting, Orgeron said he wanted to recruit pro-style quarterbacks and plans to target in-state signal callers.

– Freshman defensive end Glen Logan will redshirt this season, Orgeron said.