What we've learned about LSU football halfway through preseason practice: Top 10 takeaways

BATON ROUGE — LSU football opened preseason practice two weeks ago.

Brian Kelly and his team has gone through 12 team sessions, including Thursday morning, in preparation for the 2024 college football season, which the Tigers kick off at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1 in Las Vegas against the USC Trojans in a top-25 matchup in the Vegas Kickoff Classic ABC. LSU is preseason No. 12 in US LBM Coaches Poll while USC is ranked No. 23.

As the Tigers gear up for the another season, what have we learned about the team over the course of the last couple of weeks?

Here are a few takeaways.

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LSU football star linebacker Harold Perkins 'nasty' on third downs in defensive coordinator Blake Baker's scheme

Star junior linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. is lining up at the Will linebacker position in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker's base scheme. While Perkins struggled last season playing an inside linebacker role in Matt House's defense, Baker's scheme allows Perkins to move around quite a bit and is designed to free him up.

That can be true on third down and when the opponent is in obvious passing situations. Perkins told reporters earlier in fall camp that he "has been getting nasty" on third downs and expects to do plenty of pass rushing.

LSU football offensive coordinator Joe Sloan wants Garrett Nussmeier, offense to play fast

One way LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan is trying to find an edge in matchup is pace of play. New junior starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier along with receivers C.J Daniels and running back Josh Williams have all mentioned Sloan's approach of wanting the offense to play fast.

What will be glaringly different about LSU's offense in 2024

As Kelly told reporters Wednesday, expect balance in this season's LSU offense.

Nussmeier's abilities and strengths are far different from Jayden Daniels and the pieces around the quarterback are different, outside of returning four offensive linemen. Let's start there: LSU's offensive linemen will be pulling more, getting out of the edge to seal blocks and run lanes for more outside zone reads in the run game.

Expect plenty of misdirection in both the run and passing game. Led by star Mason Taylor, the tight ends will be more involved in all aspects. Underneath screens to running backs as well as underneath drag routes to opposite direction for those said tight ends, fans will see a lot.

What will be glaringly different about LSU's defense in 2024

Baker prides his defensive schematics around "attacking" and aggression. Multiple defensive players have regaled about Baker's blitz packages and the creativity he that injects to cause offenses problems.

As mentioned before with Perkins, LSU is going to rely on its best playmakers on defense to have an impact on the game. The defensive line's mission will be to shed blocks and attack, not just eat up blocks the linebackers. Major Burns, who led the Tigers in tackles last season, will be more engaged at the line of scrimmage and have his nose in more in stopping the run.

On the outside will be the biggest change as Baker's scheme calls for a lot of man, one-on-one coverage from cornerbacks. Cornerbacks Ashton Stamps and Sage Ryan have held their own at times during preseason practice and the hope is they'll improve more with the reps prior to the season opener.

Kaleb Jackson reported for preseason practice heavier, more prepared for larger role at running back

When the now sophomore tailback would get the ball in games last season, Kaleb Jackson showed plenty of promise from his running ability behind strength and how he sought out contact.

To better prepare himself for a full season workload, Jackson tacked on 30 pounds this offseason and gotten stronger, adjusting his body to handle more hits. Jackson has also improved his pass protection and understanding of which holes to hit with the ball.

"All those different little things are the things he's been able to attack in the offseason," Sloan said of Jackson. "Now what I think you're seeing is how he is a complete running back. He's going to come into his own."

How LSU football plans to use headset communication, tablets on sidelines

For the first time this season in college, quarterbacks and middle linebackers' headgear will be set up to use headset communication between them and their coaches. The NFL has been using this technology for a number of years.

How does LSU plan to utilize this new rule?

Sloan said the offense wants to use the headset to attack defense with varying tempos. Having tablets on the sideline allow the LSU coaching staff almost immediate avenues to confirm what they may be seeing during the game from the opponent and course-correct and adjustments far more quickly.

Receiver Chris Hilton is as healthy as he's been in some time, has his primed for starting role

Junior receiver Chris Hilton has had a rough go at it with injuries during his LSU career. In three-plus years, he's torn his meniscus in both knees and tore one of his labrums.

At the tail-end of last season, Hilton said he started to feel healthy again and that helped his ReliaQuest Bowl game performance (three receptions, 56 yards with a touchdown). Hilton has been able to work through the entire spring practice and offseason completely healthy and that's allowed him to train the way he's wanted to ever since he's shown up on campus.

His health has played a big role his seizing of one of LSU's starting receiver spots and has set his trajectory in a position direction for the 2024 season.

Sage Ryan playing cornerback, 'cross-training'

The former Lafayette Christian Academy standout has made his name playing at safety for LSU his first three seasons in Baton Rouge. Now, Ryan will be tasked with lining up at corner for the Tigers.

LSU needed some depth and experience at the position and Kelly mentioned early in fall camp that Ryan was a suitable player to switch positions. Ryan playing cornerback gives the defense an experience guy in the role but also provides depth at both corner and safety.

"We wanted the entire spring to be at safety and now we're beginning that cross-training," Kelly said of Ryan's switch. "We feel like he'll become that one player that can play both positions for us."

Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger repping at center some during practice

When Garrett Dellinger get his start at LSU, it was at the center position. After some early-career struggles, he made the move over the right guard and that's where he has spent the majority of the last two seasons.

But this preseason camp, he's been snapping the football each day, getting some reps at center. "Putting me there wasn't a big issue. I know all the calls. It's nothing crazy," Dellinger said.

Freshman D.J. Chester has taken the bulk of practice snaps at center and this is likely a case of building depth at the position. But if LSU needs someone to handle center duties, it should Dellinger at its disposal.

Breakout names to watch for LSU football during 2024 season

Let's take a look at a few lesser-known players that could be impactful for LSU this year.

Jordan Allen: The sophomore safety seems to have locked up one of the top safety positions in Blake Baker's defense. He's had a really solid preseason practice, has made consistently making plays for the defense.

Ashton Stamps: Brian Kelly said Wednesday that no defensive back has had better numbers in passes defended or passes broken up throughout all of camp than Stamps. Stamps has said playing press coverage suits his game more and it appears everyone has been seeing that.

C.J. Daniels: The Liberty transfer has all but locked up a starting receiver position. His experience and confidence has helped Daniels transition almost seamlessly to LSU and he has some of more surer hands on the team.

Dashawn Spears: Spears flashes ability and makes play just about every day in practice. LSU needs quality depth at the safety positions and the way Spears, a freshman, has looked, he'll likely find himself on the field sooner rather than later.

Gio Paez: LSU needed help along the defensive line and Paez, the senior Wisconsin transfer, has fit that bill so far for the Tigers. He's playing alongside Jacobian Guillory on the interior defensive line and he's been a constant eyebrow raiser in practice.

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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 at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Takeaways from LSU football halfway through preseason practice