LSU football hosts Oklahoma Saturday night. It’s senior night, and for many, it will be their last game at Tiger Stadium.
With seniors in the spotlight, let’s look to the future. It’s the last game of the year, which means a few true freshmen have already worked their way into the rotation.
LSU’s 2024 recruiting class was good. Brian Kelly is counting on the core of this group to get LSU where it needs to be in 2025. This class is even more important since we’ve seen more inconsistent results from the 2023 recruiting class.
If LSU’s 2024 class takes the step you’d expect from an elite recruiting class, LSU can get back into the playoff race next year.
We’ll look at guys on both sides of the ball, from a few defensive tackles to a playback.
Here are five true freshmen to watch when LSU takes on Oklahoma in Death Valley on Saturday night.
DT Dominick McKinley
McKinley was a five-star defensive tackle and No. 3 in the class. He’s the exact type of talent LSU needed on the interior defensive line given the Tigers’ struggles at the position.
McKinley didn’t enroll early and was injured throughout training camp. Because of this, he didn’t see the field right away, but he has since joined the rotation.
With 105 snaps per year, McKinley ranks fourth among true freshman defenders at LSU. He pressured the QB four times and made three stops, according to PFF.
McKinley was the difference in LSU’s victory Ole Mademoiselle. Last week against Vanderbilt, he recorded two pressures on just eight pass rushes.
Ahmad Breaux
We’ll stick to the defensive tackle position here and talk about a guy who made an immediate impact.
With 240 defensive snaps, Breaux leads all LSU true freshmen. Brian Kelly said he is the most physically and mentally ready freshman on the team and Breaux’s playing time reflects that.
Breaux posted an impressive 79.3 PFF tackling grade. He has eight stops and four pressures on the year. Keep an eye on Breaux tonight as he looks to put an exclamation point on a strong freshman campaign.
General Manager Gabe Reliford
Reliford’s playing time is up and down. He didn’t see the field in the opener against USC, but got 25 snaps against FCS Nicholls.
He played 13 snaps at South Carolina, but only one at home against UCLA. Later in SEC play, he played one against Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, but played a total of 26 snaps against Alabama and Florida.
Reliford’s best game of the year came against South Alabama, with three pressures and a sack.
LSU has two senior defenders in Bradyn Swinson and Sai’Vion Jones. Reliford is a guy LSU needs to make a move on. Saturday evening is a good time to start.
CB PJ Woodland
Cornerback was a problem position for LSU in 2023. Many expected the Tigers to attack the transfer portal, but LSU stayed put, relying on what it already had and new freshmen year.
One of those new arrivals was PJ Woodland, who impressed early on.
There was talk of Woodland taking over the starting role after a strong fall camp. Woodland has started two games this year, but has mostly stuck to a rotation role.
Woodland is good for about 5-15 snaps per game and I expect the same on Saturday night.
Woodland’s last three games have been inconsistent. In just 17 coverage snaps, he allowed 60 yards. Oklahoma isn’t expected to throw a ton, but when the Earlier do, the LSU corners just need to prevent the big play.
RB Caden Durham
Few freshmen have made as much noise as running back Caden Durham.
Durham, a four-star recruit, quickly became LSU’s most efficient running back. Durham’s fumble rate ranks among the top 10 running backs in the SEC, as does his 5.2 yards per carry.
Only two true freshmen in the Power Four have more rushing yards and his 226 receiving yards lead the same group.
Durham has been dealing with a toe injury in recent weeks and took a backseat to Josh Williams in Vanderbilt’s win.
Oklahoma’s run defense is one of the best in the country and LSU will need to find a way to create big plays down the field. Durham is the guy to do it.
This article was originally published on LSU Wire: Five LSU true freshmen to watch when the Tigers take on the Sooners
