The LSU Football Practice Report: Notes From Day 3 of Spring Camp for the Tigers
As LSU football embarks on its journey through spring camp, Day 3 brought about significant developments in both the tactical preparation and the individual growth of players under head coach Brian Kelly. With a renewed sense of purpose and energy, the Tigers are working to build on the momentum from last season and set the stage for the upcoming college football campaign. On Day 3, the players were deep into fundamental drills, team-oriented practices, and position-specific adjustments as they fine-tune their skills and continue to lay the groundwork for the 2025 season.
In this practice report, we’ll break down the key takeaways from Day 3 of LSU’s spring camp, highlighting the top performances, positional battles, coaching observations, and overall team dynamics. These early practices are crucial for shaping the future of the Tigers, and the Day 3 session provided plenty of insights into what’s to come.
Overview of Day 3: High Intensity and Team Focus
As with any spring practice session, the atmosphere on Day 3 was high-energy and focused on foundational drills. The players were divided into position groups, where they spent significant time working on technique and fundamentals. Coach Brian Kelly and his staff were deeply engaged, ensuring that the players were executing their assignments with precision while pushing the Tigers to improve their fitness levels and understanding of the playbook.
While the early practices have focused heavily on refining individual skills, Day 3 saw more team-oriented drills, such as 11-on-11 scrimmages, situational plays, and defensive alignments. The Tigers are striving for greater cohesion as a unit, and these exercises allowed them to work on timing, communication, and situational awareness. As expected, this was a crucial opportunity for LSU’s veterans to step up and lead while also allowing the newcomers to prove themselves and integrate into the system.
Offensive Position Groups: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers
One of the most anticipated positional battles for LSU in the spring is at quarterback. With the departure of star quarterback Jayden Daniels after his stellar 2024 campaign, the battle for the starting spot is wide open. Day 3 brought significant attention to this position group as the Tigers look to find their next leader under center.
Quarterback Competition:
The quarterback competition remains fierce, with multiple players taking reps with the first-team offense. Garrett Nussmeier, who played as a backup last season, continues to showcase his arm strength and playmaking ability. Nussmeier’s ability to drive the ball downfield and make tight-window throws stood out on Day 3, and his leadership is gradually becoming more evident in practice. His ability to read the defense and make quick decisions has improved, and while there are still areas for growth, his arm talent is undeniable.
However, freshman phenom Ricky Collins, who has generated considerable buzz this spring, also impressed on Day 3. Collins displayed a calm demeanor in the pocket, exhibiting poise and accuracy in both short and long-range throws. His ability to handle pressure situations in scrimmage scenarios was particularly notable, and it’s clear that he’s not backing down from the competition.
The competition between Nussmeier and Collins is likely to persist throughout the spring, and it will be interesting to see who emerges as the leader when the Tigers kick off their 2025 season. Coach Brian Kelly has emphasized the importance of competition at every position, and it’s clear that the quarterback position will be no different.
Wide Receiver Group:
As for the wide receivers, LSU’s receiving corps continues to show depth and potential. With star wideout Malik Nabers returning, the Tigers have a proven weapon on the outside. Nabers demonstrated his ability to create separation and make spectacular catches on Day 3, and he remains the go-to target for the quarterbacks.
However, it’s the development of LSU’s younger receivers that has many fans excited. The breakout performance of sophomore Kyren Lacy, who was a standout in the 2024 season, continued into Day 3. Lacy’s speed, agility, and strong route-running skills were on full display, and his connection with Nussmeier and Collins is growing stronger by the day. Lacy’s ability to create separation on deep routes and his reliability on short-yardage passes make him a dangerous option for the Tigers.
Freshman Jalen Brown, who enrolled early, also turned heads during Day 3. Brown’s burst off the line of scrimmage and ability to make defenders miss after the catch are qualities that could make him a major contributor in 2025. His chemistry with the quarterbacks is steadily improving, and it’s clear he has the potential to be a game-changer for the Tigers.
Defensive Position Groups: Defensive Line and Secondary
Defensively, LSU has plenty of talent on the roster, but there are still questions about the consistency of the defensive line and the depth of the secondary. Day 3 provided plenty of action in these areas, with several players stepping up to make their case for starting roles.
Defensive Line:
LSU’s defensive line is a unit full of potential, but they will need to continue to develop their pass-rush capabilities to remain competitive in the SEC. On Day 3, Maason Smith, the standout defensive tackle, showed why he is one of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. Smith’s explosiveness off the line and ability to disrupt the quarterback’s timing were evident during 11-on-11 drills. He is clearly in top shape after recovering from injuries in previous seasons, and his presence in the middle of the line will be key for LSU’s defensive success.
However, Smith is not the only one drawing attention. Junior edge rusher Quincy Wiggins, a player known for his athleticism and raw talent, had several impressive moments in practice. Wiggins showed an improved ability to bend around the edge and generate pressure on the quarterback. As the season progresses, Wiggins will need to refine his technique, but Day 3 showed significant promise in his development.
True freshman Landon Jackson also impressed with his tenacity and energy. His pass-rushing skills are still being honed, but his size and strength make him a natural fit in LSU’s defensive scheme. If he continues to develop, he could become a key contributor this season.
Secondary:
In the secondary, LSU is focused on finding consistency at cornerback and safety. The departure of standout cornerback Jay Ward has left a hole that needs to be filled, and the battle for cornerback spots is heating up. Sophomore Denver Harris is emerging as one of the leaders in the defensive backfield, and he had an impressive showing on Day 3. Harris demonstrated his ability to shadow wide receivers and make plays on the ball, showing great anticipation and physicality in his coverage.
Another cornerback who has drawn attention is freshman Michael McNeely. McNeely’s ability to close gaps and make aggressive plays on the ball is catching the eyes of the coaching staff. His early performance is an encouraging sign for the Tigers, as depth in the secondary is critical in the SEC.
At safety, veteran Greg Brooks Jr. continues to be a stabilizing force. Brooks’ leadership and ability to read the quarterback’s eyes were key during Day 3, and his communication with the cornerbacks and linebackers helped maintain a cohesive unit in the secondary.
Special Teams: Kicking Game and Punting
Special teams were also a focal point on Day 3, as LSU looks to improve its kicking game. The Tigers have some competition at kicker, as they attempt to replace Cade York, who was a key player in LSU’s special teams in recent years. Freshman kicker Damian Ramos has shown good accuracy in early practices, but the consistency of his range remains a question mark.
Punter is another area of competition, with senior Jay Bramblett holding onto the starting job for now. However, sophomore Ashton Stinson has been pushing hard for the position, showing improved distance and hang time on his punts.
Coaching Observations
Head coach Brian Kelly continues to impress with his attention to detail and his ability to foster competition. During Day 3, Kelly was particularly focused on ensuring the players maintained a high level of intensity throughout practice. He was active in all areas, moving between position groups, offering coaching points, and challenging players to improve.
One of Kelly’s key priorities this spring is building team chemistry. While LSU has a talented roster, he’s focused on ensuring that all players, from veterans to freshmen, buy into the team-first mentality. His leadership style continues to resonate with the players, and Day 3 saw the Tigers showing more unity and communication on both sides of the ball.