LSU football: freshman offensive linemen may have earned future starting snaps

Just one season ago, LSU football found itself with two freshman offensive tackles along their O-line. Now, in 2023, while the line is much more experienced, freshman offensive linemen Zalance Heard and DJ Chester opened some eyes with their performances vs. Grambling State.

Multiple freshman offensive linemen showed immense potential vs. Grambling State

Coach Brian Kelly did the unthinkable last season. In 2022, offensive tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr earned starting jobs in their first collegiate seasons.

It’s rare to find one starting offensive tackle, let alone two. The fact that they did it in the SEC is simply unheard of. However, they excelled and showed some serious ability.

While it hasn’t happened yet in 2023, LSU football appears on its way to finding another starting freshman offensive lineman.

Ahead of the Tigers’ week two matchup vs. Grambling State, one of the biggest stories going in was offensive tackle Zalance Heard. Heard was the top commitment of the LSU football class of 2023, rating as a five-star out of high school.

However, he wasn’t the only youngster to shine in his opening appearance. Several freshman offensive linemen had standout performances on Saturday, as coach Brian Kelly mentioned to the media Saturday night.

“You’re always trying to get some guys work. The key one for us tonight was Zalance Heard at right tackle. He went in the second series; that’s what we were really focused on, and getting that evaluation. So, I’ll look at the tape – it’s hard for me to really give you a real evaluation of that until we watch it. But, we know the other rotation pieces there. It’ll be interesting to see how DJ faired; DJ Chester – true freshman at center as well. It’ll be interesting film to watch, but the big one for us will be Heard at the right tackle position.”

Offensive tackle Zalance Heard hasn’t earned the starting job…yet

When it comes to freshmen getting significant snaps along the offensive line, there’s no guarantee that it goes well. However, as of late, the Tigers have had some decent success with it.

First, it was last season with Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. This season, it’s starting to look like Zalance Heard and DJ Chester.

Furthermore, coach Brian Kelly seems to be feeling even better after looking back at the game tape. He was particularly impressed with Heard, who rotated with the starting lineup throughout the first half.

“We liked his presence in the lineup. He was assignment correct, he was physical at the point of contact and we felt like, by and large, for a first time in a collegiate football game, he handled the emotions of the game very well,” coach Brian Kelly said to the media earlier today. “So I think we’re on track to similarly do what we did in the last game with him in the next game as well. Miles (Frazier) will still start at guard, but there’s gonna be a rotation there.”

While he specified that redshirt junior Miles Frazier will still likely start at guard going forward, it would be silly not to at least humor the idea of Heard as a starter.

He has all the tools and plenty of size to make an immediate impact at the college level. If he can put together one or two more performances like Saturday’s, he could find his way to the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

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