Practice Report: Takeaways From LSU's Bowl Practice

Tigers continue preparation for their bowl showdown against Wisconsin, Mekhi Wingo moving at full speed.

LSU football continued bowl preparation on Thursday with the Tigers taking the practice fields once again.

It was another chilly morning in Baton Rouge with the media receiving a 45-minute window to check in on the Bayou Bengals.

A few takeaways from Thursday morning in Death Valley:

The Offense

- LSU WR Malik Nabers was sidelined on Thursday for undisclosed reasons. He was seen on practice fields with the other wide receivers, but did not work through drills. 

- True freshman running backs Trey Holly and Kaleb Jackson continue taking significant snaps for this program during bowl practices. Jackson was also seen taking work as a kick returner with the special teams unit. 

- Brian Thomas Jr. and Co. worked with Garrett Nussmeier during team drills as well as 11-on-11 work. 

- For Nussmeier, he's adjusting to the leadership role as LSU's QB1, but remained vocal once again on Thursday. On the field, it was the confidence that stole the show again. He connected with Chris Hilton Jr. on a deep ball down the right sideline as the two look to become a one-two punch this offseason. 

- Freshman WR Shelton Sampson Jr. has looked the part during the two media viewings this week. A player who the Tigers expect to take a major leap this offseason, he's shown significant growth from Fall Camp in August to now. Despite a drop on Thursday, his route running looks crisp.

- Rickie Collins must have a big offseason. There is work to be done with the true freshman and it was on display once again on Thursday. Collins continues working closely with Joe Sloan, with the two chatting it up on numerous occasions during practice, but consistency will remain of the utmost importance. Collins had a few pretty passes, but struggled during 11v11 work.

*Limited media availability on Thursday for the offense.*

The #LSU Practice Report:

- DL Mekhi Wingo continues getting healthy. Full participant again on Thursday.
- DL Maason Smith hitting his stride.
- WR Malik Nabers did not practice on Thursday.

Wingo says he has not decided if he will return to LSU next year.

Productive day. pic.twitter.com/jmn4anGXP8

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) December 21, 2023

The Defense

- Sage Ryan and Javien Toviano handled a majority of first-team reps at cornerback on Thursday. Ryan announced on Tuesday that he will not be entering the NCAA Transfer Portal and will return to Baton Rouge. 

- CB Jeremiah Hughes and Ashton Stamps also worked in the mix with the first team. 

- Whit Weeks continues taking significant reps during bowl practice alongside Harold Perkins with Greg Penn III and Omar Speights handling a majority of the other snaps at linebacker.  

- DL Mekhi Wingo was a full participant on Thursday as he works back to full strength. Wingo suffered a core injury that required surgery during the season and "feels back to his old ways," he told the media after practice.

- Another note on Wingo: He has not made a decision on if he will return to LSU next season. The 2024 NFL Draft remains an option.

- DL Maason Smith looks healthy for the Tigers. Another player who has a decision to make, LSU is hoping to get Smith back for another season in Baton Rouge.

*Short media viewing on Thursday with the Tigers working through special teams work to start followed by position drills.*