Brian Kelly: "Malik Nabers is the Best Wide Receiver in the Country"

Kelly praises his star wideout, versatility with the ball in his hands.
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Brian Kelly believes star wide receiver Malik Nabers is deserving of winning the Biletnikoff Award, which is presented to the best pass catcher each year in college football.

Nabers is in the midst of a dominant junior campaign. Through 10 games, the Tigers WR1 is up to 72 catches for 1,284 yards and 10 TD with a whopping 17.8 yards per catch. 

Kelly dove into why he believes his top playmaker is deserving of earning the award for the nation's top wideout:

“His skill level has always been there,” Kelly said. “His ability to come out every single day, maintain his emotion, and focus on what’s important – being at his best during practice and not being distracted by anything. I thought, at times last season, he got distracted, quite frankly. He had some up and downs during his practice.

“This year so far, very little to no distractions have put him in a position where his practicing has consistently put him at a high, high level. If he stays at that level and eliminates distractions, he’s in line to do some really special things.”

When it comes to all-time greats to suit up in the purple and gold, Nabers has the chance to become LSU royalty. He believes his name will be amongst the greats when it's all said and done. 

“We talk about (former LSU and current NFL receivers) Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson,” Nabers said. “But when we talk about them, I want my name to be added as well. With this season, I’ve been able to get another 1,000 yards, and I think I’m only the second back-to-back 1,000-yard receiver (Josh Reed was the first in 2000 and 2001) to ever do it at LSU.”

A piece of Nabers' success this season has been the connection he has with quarterback Jayden Daniels both on and off the field. The two have created a bond that has proven to be effective this season as they carve defenses on a routine basis. 

“We might kick it a little bit,” Nabers said about Daniels. “Might go shopping, you know he spends a lot of money so, just things like that and knowing someone personally, it benefits a football relationship really well.

“We come (to the facility) at 5:30 in the morning, watch a little film. We throw the ball after practice, might hit some routes that we missed on in practice. In the spring and in the summer we always came way late at night, probably around 9:00, and would throw the ball around, just get the little small details right.”


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Zack Nagy
ZACK NAGY

Zack Nagy is the Managing Editor and Publisher of LSU Country, a Sports Illustrated Publication. Nagy has covered Tiger Football, Basketball, Baseball and Recruiting, looking to keep readers updated on anything and everything involving LSU athletics.