Wide receiver could be one of the most important position groups for LSU football ahead of the 2023 college football season. Quarterback Jayden Daniels is back and has a much more solid feel for the offense. Additionally, the offensive line is much improved. If the Tigers’ wide receivers – led by junior Malik Nabers – can also take a step forward, Baton Rouge could have an elite offense on its hands.
LSU football preview: the stars are shining in Baton Rouge
Few wide receivers in the country are better than Tiger wide receiver Malik Nabers. Despite largely being viewed as the number two guy in 2022 behind Kayshon Boutte, he put up some big-time stats.
In total, he recorded 72 receptions for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns. By far, the most glaring concern was his touchdown numbers, but with a stronger emphasis on the passing game this year, those numbers should increase plenty.
Aside from Nabers, one other name that has received plenty of hype throughout the offseason is sophomore Aaron Anderson.
Anderson was with the Alabama Crimson Tide all of last season but struggled to find his footing. This was primarily due to an injury that slowed him down. Still, it seems as though he is healthy and ready to go for college football in 2023.
The sophomore wide receiver already looks like one of the shiftier players on the team. Aside from wide receiver duties, expect to see plenty of him on returns, as he has already been announced as the starter there.
2023 could be breakout season galore for several pieces
While those two stars are without a doubt going to make a significant impact all season long, wide receiver is a position you hope to have plenty of depth at.
For coach Brian Kelly’s squad, while it’s no guarantee, they certainly have the potential to make this happen.
In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to see LSU football go seven or eight deep at the position. If they do, it will be because several players took the jump needed to become reliable in the passing game.
Three players to watch will be junior Brian Thomas Jr, senior Kyren Lacy and redshirt sophomore Chris Hilton Jr.
All three of these players have shown several flashes, but they simply haven’t had their opportunity due to injury or being buried on the depth chart. Well, allow me to introduce you to the 2023 college football season.
Plenty of opportunity awaits all three veteran players, as the Tigers expect to rely quite a bit on the passing game this season. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has discussed standing in the pocket a bit more and looking downfield for the long ball.
If one or two of these players turn out to be reliable pieces behind Aaron Anderson and Malik Nabers, it could mean big things for the Tiger passing game.
Could we see any freshmen make an early impact?
This is a bit tougher, but as I mentioned before, plenty of opportunity is available in 2023. The Tigers brought in several big-time wide receiver recruits in the class of 2023, and it wouldn’t surprise to see one or two of them get some solid playing time in year one.
The three freshmen receivers on roster are former four-star recruits Kyle Parker, Khai Prean, Shelton Sampson Jr and Jalen Brown. Interestingly enough, all four players have very different body types and, in turn, have very different playing styles.
Standing at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Sampson Jr is by far the biggest of the group. He is the kind of player you love to have in the red zone because he has no problem going up above defensive backs for a jump ball.
Brown is a bit more of a do-it-all wide receiver, standing at 6-foot-1, 178 pounds. Meanwhile, the other two are smaller and rely much more on speed and shiftiness. Prean is 6-foot, 202 pounds, while Kyle Parker comes in at 5-foot-11, 194 pounds.
If one or two of those young players can find a way on the field in their first season, it could mean big things for the future of this wide receiver room. The Tigers have plenty of talent at wide receiver, so it would be quite the feat if the younger guys can make an early impact.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, expect to see a five to six-man rotation primarily. Star receivers Malik Nabers and Aaron Anderson will get a ton of playing time. The other three veterans of Brian Thomas Jr, Kyren Lacy and Chris Hilton Jr should fill out the remaining slots.
Furthermore, quarterback Jayden Daniels will play a significant role in how the country views the Tiger wide receivers. Last year, he scrambled quite a bit, making due when things broke down for the offense.
The 2023 college football season will reveal plenty in terms of his ability to read a defense and adjust to his new offense. If he shows a willingness to stand in the pocket and throw the ball down the field, the wide receivers and the offense as a whole will benefit from it.
This wide receiver room has immense potential. Now, they need to do something with it.
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