BATON ROUGE – On a beautiful day in the capital city, the LSU football team held its first of 15 practices of the spring Saturday morning at the Charles McClendon Practice Facility.
The entire team gathered for the spirited workout, including four early enrollees – David Ducre, Justin McMillan, Hanner Shipley and Kevin Toliver II – who took part in their first practice as Tigers.
Les Miles, who will embark on his 11th season as head coach of the Fighting Tigers in 2015, was pleased with what he saw on the field Saturday.
“It was very good first day; we got a lot accomplished,” Miles said. “The tempo of the practice was just what we wanted. Any time you put helmets on, it’s a perfect football teaching and creative time. I really enjoyed today’s practice. I don’t know if I’ve been around a practice to start spring this productive.”
Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, defensive line coach Ed Orgeron and wide receivers coach Tony Ball donned LSU gear on the practice field for the first time.
“The new coaches, starting with Tony Ball, did a very nice job,” Miles said. “I think he is going to be a guy who starts with stance and really improves the position one step at a time right on through. I just really think he will make us better. I think Kevin Steele did a very nice job of putting the defense in position on hurry plays. I felt like the defense was ready to play today. Of course Ed (Orgeron) did a great job with the defensive line. We are young there, but we are very talented.”
LSU held individual drills and worked on team elements throughout the two-hour practice, and Miles was quick to single out the performance and leadership of the players who returned to LSU for their senior season in 2015.
“There are some juniors that stayed who are looking forward to leading and looking forward to having a great year. The view of leadership is something they are taking into account their last year,” Miles said.
When he met with the media following practice, Miles also mentioned potential shuffling along the offensive line with senior Vadal Alexander making the move out to right tackle, junior Jerald Hawkins sliding over to left tackle and junior Ethan Pocic at center. Miles singled out K.J. Malone, Garrett Brumfield and William Clapp as potential starters on the o-line as well.
“I think K.J. is going to be a starter at some place. I think he will be a starter at left guard, right tackle, or left tackle if needed,” Miles said. “The other guard, Brumfield, looks to me like he is ready to play and do the things he needs to do. Will Clapp is in the same position. He is ready to play. If you put Vadal Alexander at the tackle, put Ethan Pocic at center and Jerald Hawkins at left tackle, that is a pretty good group, no matter who you play.”
LSU will take a couple days off before returning to the practice field on Tuesday.
Spring drills will culminate in the annual National L-Club Spring Game in Tiger Stadium at 1 p.m. on April 18.