Freshman Phenom 4.0: Dashawn Womack Playing Above His Age
LSU defensive end Dashawn Womack is a player Brian Kelly and his coaching staff have raved about since the day he arrived on campus.
As the freshman prepares for his first season in Baton Rouge, Womack has the chance to take on a big-time role for the Tigers in 2023.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder has transformed his body, worked alongside Maason Smith and is quickly putting it together as another youngster ready to take the field early.
Can Womack make an impact this season? Does he have the chance to be another freshman phenom to run through Death Valley?
A dive into what’s made Womack so special through camp:
Physical Tools
Womack’s measurables as a true freshman are eye-opening. A former five-star recruit, he’s played well above his age for quite some time while using his size and strength to dominate opponents, but now he’s ready to do it at the next level.
Size, strength, arm length and huge hands are four physical traits that stand out when standing next to Womack and he certainly uses them to his advantage. Along with being well-developed for a freshman, he’s begun putting it all together as a player.
As Womack continues utilizing the strength/conditioning and nutrition program the Tigers have, the sky’s the limit for his potential on the field.
Versatility
Womack has worked with two position groups during preseason practice: defensive ends and JACK linebackers.
It’s big for this program to see a youngster so versatile and able to work in a variety of spots, making it nearly impossible to keep him off of the field in year one.
He’s strong and powerful enough to work at his true position of defensive end while also attaining the quick feet and balance of a player who can take on a JACK role for the Tigers as well.
A player who could take on a BJ Ojulari type role in Baton Rouge, it isn’t far fetched to think he could be the heir apparent to the former LSU superstar.
Key Piece to Depth
It's no secret LSU has their savvy veterans that will take a majority of snaps during the 2023 season in Maason Smith, Mekhi Wingo, Sai’vion Jones, Ovie Oghoufo and Bradyn Swinson but there are youngsters ready to make an impact.
Quency Wiggins and Womack are ready to step in and be difference makers. For a player of Womack’s caliber, getting him on the field early will help this program in the long run. There’s a benefit to getting him lined up alongside Maason Smith when it comes to his overall development and it’ll be intriguing to see how Kelly’s staff utilizes Womack’s services in year one with the program.
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