One of the top surprises coming out of spring practice earlier this year was that of LSU freshman cornerback PJ Woodland, who consistently made eye-popping plays throughout practice. Now, as we rapidly approach summer camp, the hype hasn’t gone away and the national media notably still has their eyes on him as a potential impact player.
LSU freshman cornerback PJ Woodland has impressed since first stepping on campus
It’s going to be an interesting season for the Tiger secondary in 2024.
Under new defensive coordinator Blake Baker, no one is exactly sure of what to expect from the group coming off an abysmal showing in the 2023 campaign. In turn, they’ll likely take all the help they can get, which is particularly interesting when you consider the veteran nature of the position room.
Some of the top names expected to make an impact have been with the program for years now, while several others have been in the college game and know what to expect from SEC competition. Players such as senior Major Burns, redshirt junior transfer Jardin Gilbert, redshirt junior Sage Ryan and senior Zy Alexander are some of the more well known names, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t room for a young stud to make a potential impact along the way.
One of the biggest names that popped out during spring practice was that of LSU freshman cornerback PJ Woodland out of Hattiesburg, MS.
Coming out of Oak Grove High School as a three-star recruit and the No. 46 cornerback nationally, expectations have been relatively low from the moment he stepped foot on campus, but after rapidly working his way up the depth chart, he’s all of a sudden found himself in the running for one of the starting defensive back positions.
Woodland was recently identified as the No. 1 Tiger freshman to watch in 2024
While it’s largely unexpected to have a 5-foot-11, 160-pound freshman starting in a physical SEC, it’s also important to remember that Woodland isn’t just any other first-year player. He’s disciplined and has the kind of football IQ that allows him to make big plays for his team without allowing too many silly mistakes to occur along the way.
These factors have notably played a major role in why so many throughout the national media have all of a sudden changed their tune on the impressive freshman. Woodland was consistently being matched up against top wide receiver Kyren Lacy throughout spring and it was a fairly even battle the whole way through.
In turn, the LSU freshman cornerback was most recently identified as the Tiger’s impact freshman ahead of the 2024 season by Chris Hummer of CBS Sports.
When discussing the talented rising first-year, the national college football writer said, “Woodland had a strong spring for the Tigers to the point he’s at least in the mix as a potential starter this fall. Sources have indicated he’s very advanced for a freshman and has quickly put on weight in the strength and conditioning program after arriving at 160 pounds.”
While there’s no guarantees coming out of spring football, especially when it comes to rising freshmen, it’s still incredibly encouraging to see this kind of praise coming from as high up as the national media. If Woodland can continue the trajectory he’s currently on, don’t be surprised to see him at the very least rotating into games during the 2024 season, particularly early on when he can get some additional experience to his name.
Expect Woodland to compete alongside senior Zy Alexander, junior Jyaire Brown, sophomore Javien Toviano and sophomore Ashton Stamps as the primary candidates for starting snaps ahead of the new college football season. Ultimately, it will be up to defensive coordinator Blake Baker, and if nothing else, the underrated freshman has at the very least made things interesting as summer camp quickly approaches.
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