The LSU Spring Practice Report: Notes From Thursday's Practice in Baton Rouge

The Tigers showcased their full first-team defense on Thursday, rotations becoming more concrete.

Nov 11, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers safety Javien Toviano (25) recovers a fumble / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

LSU returned to the practice field on Thursday with Spring Practice in full swing for Brian Kelly and the Bayou Bengals.

The Tigers have begun seeing rotations emerge with early-enrollee PJ Woodland skyrocketing up the depth chart in the cornerback room.

Here's an in-depth look at Thursday's practice with the full first-team defense getting a closer look:

The Quarterbacks

- Garrett Nussmeier delivered a beautiful ball down the right sideline to wide receiver Kyren Lacy who hauled it in for the 30-yard completion. Nussmeier's delivery downfield continues stealing the show during camp and his connection with both Lacy and Chris Hilton has been a key takeaway.

- LSU ran a light 11-on-11 portion towards the end of the viewing. Rickie Collins ran with the second-team, but AJ Swann split reps with him. Quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan is giving them both an equal opportunity to earn the backup signal-caller spot.

The Running Backs

- It's the same story with the running backs. Josh Williams is running with the first-team and Kaleb Jackson continues taking reps with the second group. The only scholarship running backs on roster, LSU will certainly add another back during the spring portal window.

- Walk-on running back Malachi Lane has looked the part with the third team. He's looking to be a viable option during the spring game and has had a solid camp so far.

The Wide Receivers

- Kyren Lacy, Chris Hilton and Aaron Anderson remain the first-team wide receivers. During a light 11-on-11 portion of practice, Lacy hauled in an impressive catch down the right field sideline. He's continued to look more and more dynamic as he asserts himself as WR1.

- CJ Daniels, Kyle Parker and Zavion Thomas ran with the second team during Thursday's practice. There's a key battle forming between four wide receivers for the final starting spot. Lacy and Hilton have seemingly locked in their spot, but Anderson, Daniels, Parker and Thomas are battling for the third spot.

- LSU will utilize five or six receivers this fall, no matter who is labeled as the "first-team wide receiver".

The Offensive Line

- First team offensive line from left to right: Will Campbell, Garrett Dellinger, DJ Chester, Miles Frazier and Emery Jones. We haven't seen change with this unit yet and it'll be the group they role with for their season opener against USC.

- Tyree Adams has become the most consistent backup for the Tigers and this coaching staff has instilled trust in him.

The Defensive Line

- The first-team defensive tackles: Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee.

- The first-team edge rushers: Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones.

- Early enrollee De'Myrion Johnson returned to the practice field for the Tigers on Thursday after being absent on Tuesday.

The Linebackers

- Harold Perkins and Greg Penn III have continued impressing as the first team linebackers with Blake Baker taking them under his wing. Penn has been a vocal leader during his time in Baton Rouge and it continues to be shown this offseason.

- West Weeks and Whit Weeks are running with the second team and showcased their impressive hands during position drills on Thursday.

- There isn't much to take away from this position group with a core four looking to handle most reps this upcoming season.

The Cornerbacks

- Early-enrollee PJ Woodland has skyrocketed up the depth chart for LSU. He's become a player Corey Raymond can trust and it was shown on Thursday with Woodland running with the first team during 11-on-11 drills.

- Woodland and Ashton Stamps took first-team cornerback reps on Thursday with Javien Toviano taking snaps with the second-team.

- Jyaire Brown and Jeremiah Hughes are two players that will be key contributors, but it's certainly a breath of fresh air for LSU to have six capable cornerbacks in Stamps, Woodland, Toviano, Hughes, Brown and JK Johnson when he's fully healthy. Not to mention Zy Alexander who's working back from a torn ACL last season. Alexander is ahead of schedule, sources told LSU Country, and he should be back in full form this summer.

The Safeties

- Jardin Gilbert and Sage Ryan were the first-team safeties on Thursday with Major Burns working at the STAR position.

- Dashawn McBryde, LSU's coveted early-enrollee, ran with the second team and looked impressive once again for LSU. It'll be hard to keep him off of the field this season.

- Redshirt freshman Kylin Jackson will be a key player to keep tabs on this season. He's showing flashes and did once again on Thursday.

The Full First-Team Defense on Thursday:

DT: Jacobian Guillory, DT: Jalen Lee, EDGE: Bradyn Swinson, EDGE: Sai;vion Jones, LB: Harold Perkins, LB: Greg Penn III, CB: PJ Woodland, CB: Ashton Stamps, STAR: Major Burns, Safety: Sage Ryan, Safety: Jardin Gilbert