Coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers just received some less-than-ideal news 11 days out from their week one matchup versus Florida State. On Wednesday, The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander reported that LSU football defender Maason Smith will face suspension for the team’s 2023 season opener versus the Seminoles.
LSU football defender will be unavailable in the Tigers’ 2023 season opener versus Florida State
According to reports, the suspension comes following an “improper benefit,” which Smith received prior to the NIL era of college football. While the LSU football defender cooperated throughout the investigation, the NCAA elected to suspend him for the first game of the season. He can return to action for the Tigers’ week two matchup versus Grambling State.
For LSU football fans, this is a very similar feeling to what many felt almost one full calendar year ago. Just minutes into the Tigers’ game versus Florida State in 2022, Smith suffered a lower-body injury, which would ultimately sideline him for the rest of the season.
Now, mostly healthy, things were looking promising for him to return in week one. However, fans will have to wait one week longer to see the defensive lineman in action.
A look into the LSU football defensive line sans Maason Smith
You never want to be without one of your best defenders, especially against one of the top programs in the country for 2023. Not only is LSU versus Florida State the only top-25 matchup of week one, but both teams rank in the AP top 10.
Naturally, this makes the loss of LSU football defender Maason Smith all the more concerning. However, it’s important to remember that the Tigers went through this all last season and ended up having their best season since 2019.
One of the big reasons for that success was former Missouri Tiger Mekhi Wingo. When Smith went down in week one last season, the Tigers needed someone to step up, and Wingo did so all season long. He finished the year with 43 tackles, three sacks and four passes deflected.
With that being said, things get a bit dicier in terms of experience behind Wingo. Still, that’s not to say there isn’t immense potential along the D-Line. The Tigers brought in two stud transfers with senior Jordan Jefferson (West Virginia) and junior Jalen Lee (Florida).
Furthermore, the big name to remember could be that of redshirt junior Jacobian Guillory. The former class of 2020 four-star recruit is widely viewed as one of the strongest players on the entire team. If he can find his way into the rotation, Guillory could be in store for a big game versus the Seminoles.
No matter who steps in to fill the hole following Smith’s suspension, they’ll certainly have their hands full. Florida State has one of the best offenses in the country, and a strong presence down low for the Tigers could do wonders for LSU’s chances.
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