BATON ROUGE – LSU football waved goodbye to arguably its best one-two punch at wide receiver in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. following the 2023 season. They both were first-round NFL Draft picks.
Replacing their production, a combined 2,746 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns, will not be easy for the Tigers in 2024. But the good news is, the cupboard is not bare.
While the number of returners that saw significant playing time isn’t ideal ― just three are back that played in at least 11 games ― but LSU doesn’t lack talent at the position. This season will be about younger guys getting their moment to shine on the perimeter.
Senior Kyren Lacy will be the receivers’ undoubted leader, while Aaron Anderson and Chris Hilton Jr. are back as well.
LSU also made moves in the transfer portal, bringing in C.J. Daniels from Liberty and Zavion Thomas from Mississippi State. Younger players appear poised to carve out contributing roles for LSU’s offense, in Kyle Parker and Jelani Watkins.
LSU football options at wide receiver
Projected starters: Kyren Lacy, Sr.; Chris Hilton Jr., Jr.; C.J. Daniels, Sr..
Reserves: Aaron Anderson, Soph.; Shelton Sampson, Fr.; Zavion Thomas, Jr.; Kyle Parker, Fr.; Javen Nichols, Soph.; Landon Ibieta, Soph; Cowinn Helaire, Soph.; Isaiah Stone, Fr.; Kylan Billiot, Fr.; Jelani Watkins, Fr.; Noah Nash, Jr.
Outside of Lacy, expectation is that the Tigers will rotate plenty of guys. LSU head coach Brian Kelly has praised Lacy for how he’s handled being the top receiver and that his spring practice was one of the better performances of anybody on the team. That’s encouraging to hear.
Hilton, who had 225 receiving yards and 13 catches in 2023, will look to be more entrenched with the scheme playing inside while transfers like Daniels and Thomas both supply quality that LSU needed. Anderson played in 11 games last season with 12 receptions for 59 yards.
Kelly said at SEC Media Days that he expects Watkins to be a factor this season. Parker had quite the spring practice and appears set to garner playing time as well.
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The upside
Last season’s wide receiver group was top heavy, and the offense revolved around former quarterback Jayden Daniels and his abilities.
With Garrett Nussmeier under center, LSU’s receiver group might not carry the burden Nabers and Thomas did in 2023. But from top to bottom, the Tigers have a deeper group of pass catchers this season, especially with the addition of Zavion Thomas and Daniels.
Rotations will allow the collective group to gain confidence and keep them fresher as games, and the season, roll on. LSU also has a solid mix of length, speed and physicality, something Kelly has been wanting since he arrived in Baton Rouge.
One question or concern
Who will be Nussmeier’s go-to target out of this group?
All signs point to Lacy, who Kelly praised for having a much-needed improved spring, but he’s not yet filled that role during his collegiate career.
There doesn’t appear to be another player in the room that could do it. How ready is Lacy to be the top dog?
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz atbdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football wide receiver depth chart, expectations for preseason practice
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