Projected Starting Lineup
**=Returning Starter
Offense
QB: Max Johnson, Sophomore
RB: *John Emery Jr., Junior*
WR1: *Kayshon Boutte, Sophomore*
WR2: Koy Moore, Sophomore
WR3: Trey Palmer, Junior
TE: Kole Taylor, Sophomore
LT: *Dare Rosenthal, RS Junior*
LG: *Ed Ingram, Senior*
C: Liam Shanahan, Senior
RG: *Chasen Hines, Senior*
RT: Austin Deculus, Senior
Defense
DE: Ali Gaye, Senior
DT: *Neil Farrell Jr., Senior*
DT: *Glen Logan, Senior*
DE: Andre Anthony, Senior
OLB: *Micah Baskerville, Senior*
MLB: Noventeque Strong, Sophomore
OLB: Mike Jones Jr., Sophomore
CB: *Derek Stingley Jr., Junior*
CB: *Eli Ricks, Sophomore*
SS: *Todd Harris Jr., RS Senior*
FS: *Jay Ward, Junior*
Special Teams
K: *Cade York, Junior*
P: Peyton Todd, Freshman
KR: *Trey Palmer, Junior*
PR: *Derek Stingley Jr., Junior*
Returning Production:
Running back John Emery and receiver Kayshon Boutte will be the two best players on the tiger offense next season. The defensive backfield, though, might be the most talented of any part of the team. Likely top three pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, cornerback Derek Stingley, is the best defensive back in the country and maybe the best overall player in the country. LSU also returns Farrell and Logan, to starting defensive tackles.
New Starters:
A season ago, everyone expected Myles Brennan to be the successor to Joe Burrow at the QB spot. But, Brennan got hurt. Now, it is Max Johnson, the to be sophomore’s job to lose. Brennan still has a shot at the job, but expect it to be Johnson come opening day. LSU adds transfer linebackers Strong and Jones to the mix.
Schedule Preview
at.UCLA (9/4)
Chip Kelly has UCLA improving but this LSU team is talented enough to make it back to the College Football Playoff. Projected Score: LSU 35, UCLA 21
McNeese (9/11)
LSU dominates. Projected Score: LSU 56, McNeese 7
Central Michigan (9/18)
LSU dominates again. Projected Score: LSU 49, Central Michigan 17
at.Mississippi State (9/25)
Coming off of a national championship entering last season, LSU lost to Mississippi State in each team’s first game of the season. This time, LSU handles Mississippi State. Projected Score: LSU 31, Mississippi State 17
Auburn (10/2)
Auburn could potentially start TJ Finley at QB next season, who started at LSU last season. Thus, a revenge game could come into place. Either way, I see the result of this game being pretty obvious. Projected Score: LSU 38, Auburn 14
at.Kentucky (10/9)
Two teams that will be very good in 2021. Projected Score: LSU 38, Kentucky 28
Florida (10/16)
LSU took Florida’s CFP chances away. Florida may remember that, but at this point in the season, LSU doesn’t want their chances taken away. Projected Score: LSU 31, Florida 10
at.Ole Miss (10/23)
Can LSU score with Ole Miss? We will have to see. Projected Score: Ole Miss 49, LSU 38
at.Alabama (11/6)
LSU will not come into Tuscaloosa and beat them at Bryant Denny back to back times. Nick Saban and the Tide will definitely not let that happen. Projected Score: Alabama 45, LSU 20
Arkansas (11/13)
An old rivalry is renewed. Hogs. Tigers. LSU will be much better in 2021 compared to where they were in 2020, only beating Arkansas by 3. Projected Score: LSU 34, Arkansas 24
ULM (11/20)
LSU dominates. Projected Score: LSU 56, ULM 13
Texas A&M (11/27)
This game should be for second place in the SEC West assuming Alabama continues its dominance. If Texas A&M can figure out their QB spot, they will be a tough challenge. Both programs have recruited stride for stride. It will definitely be a good one. Projected Score: Texas A&M 35, LSU 31
Projected Score: 9-3 (6-3) SEC
Incoming 2021 Recruits (per 247sports)
19.Maason Smith, DT, Houma,LA (Terrebone)
29.Sage Ryan, S, Lafayette,LA (Lafayette Christian)
64.Derrick Davis Jr., S, Monroeville,PA (Gateway)
69.Deion Smith, WR, Jackson,MS (Jackson Academy)
78.Chris Hilton, WR, Zachary,LA (Zachary)
83.Garrett Nussmeir, QB, Flower Mound,TX (Marcus)
88.Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Walker,LA (Walker)
90.Garrett Dellinger, OT, Clarkston,MI (Clarkston)
94.Armoni Goodwin, RB, Trussville,AL (Hewitt-Trussville)
124.Landon Jackson, DE, Texarkana,TX (Pleasant Grove)
158.Bryce Langston, DE/DT, Ocala,FL (Vanguard)
161.Saivion Jones, DE, Saint James,LA (Saint James)
187.Damarius McGhee, CB, Pensacola,FL (Pensacola Catholic)
212.Greg Penn III, LB, Hyattsville,MD (DeMatha Catholic)
214.Xavier Carter, LB, Atlanta,GA (Hapeville Charter)
258.Malik Nabers, WR, Youngsville,LA (Southside)
