LSU returning veteran players added shoulder pads to their ensemble Saturday morning as they hit the practice fields for the third day of preseason camp.
With temperatures held down into the mid to low 80s by heavy clouds, the Tigers focused on agility drills in the part of practice viewed by the media. Running backs weaved their way through a tight grouping of short orange cones, while defensive linemen worked on their lateral movement through a mini obstacle course of giant rubber balls and blocking pads.
The practice was quarterbacked by junior Zach Mettenberger and redshirt freshman Stephen Rivers, who were observed to work on passes in the flats with their receivers and underneath routes over the middle to their running backs. Mettenberger even lobbed a pass to running backs coach Frank Wilson, whose wheel route drew a “Nice!” from the Tigers’ starter.
Of note for LSU’s receiver corps was the inclusion of true freshman Travin Dural with the veteran group Saturday morning which included Odell Beckham Jr., Russell Shepard, Jarvis Landry, James Wright and Kadron Boone. Dural’s work with the vets meant redshirt freshman Paul Turner moved to the afternoon session, a mix of veterans and newcomers.
Along with the quarterbacks, defensive end Barkevious Mingo again worked out in a green (non-contact) jersey.
LSU’s newcomers and remaining veterans worked out in the Tigers’ indoor facility, the third straight day they have worked out under the roof. All except for Jamie Keehn, that is, LSU’s latest Australian punter, who practiced on the turf field next to the indoor facility.
Quarterbacks Rob Bolden, Jerrard Randall and Brad Kragthorpe worked the passing game, throwing deep routes before shifting to working on goal-line option plays. Bolden, the former Penn State quarterback who is noted for being a dual threat, looked the smoothest of all of LSU’s quarterbacks in running the option.
