The Tiger wide receiver room has plenty to replace in 2024. Not only will coach Brian Kelly be replacing the all-time receptions and receiving yards leader in program history in Malik Nabers, but also one of the best touchdown threats we’ve seen in recent years in Brian Thomas Jr. To help remedy this, they’ve brought in several impact transfers, but LSU sophomore wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr is also showing some serious potential early on in spring.
Coach Brian Kelly likes what he’s seen from Shelton Sampson Jr
One of the top signings of the class of 2023 cycle for coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers, the expectations have always been high for soon-to-be LSU sophomore wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. Standing at 6-foot-4, 193 pounds, his size screams red zone threat, and what made it even better is the fact that he would have a year or two behind seasoned veterans to get his feet under him.
As we look ahead to the 2024 season, his time is rapidly approaching, as there are multiple starting slots to compete for moving forward. Among the early favorites to become the new starting pass catchers are veterans Chris Hilton Jr and Kyren Lacy along with transfer portal addition CJ Daniels.
Still, even with the returning and incoming talent this offseason, there’s plenty of time to see some young players make a push into the top of the depth chart. Among those high-potential players includes Sampson Jr, who coach Brian Kelly has already had some good things to say about through the beginning of spring football.
“I just think that Shelton has made progress,” the Tiger head coach said about the talented pass catcher. “The big jump for him is the physicality of the game – he can use his length and size, but he’s gotta be able to do it when there’s hands on him.
“He’s a guy that you don’t want off the line of scrimmage. When you have to compete against him down the field, that’s a problem. So, he’s continuously working on releases, not getting rerouted, not getting driven out of play and a lot of that is the physical end of the game. And he’s coming on. He’s getting there. Once he puts that behind him, I can see him making great strides really quickly.”
While the talented underclassman didn’t exactly record any stats in 2023, it’s important to note that he was able to get some time on the field, earning snaps against Florida State, Grambling State and Georgia State.
Additionally, having made appearances in just three games, he was able to redshirt for his freshman season, meaning that Tiger fans have the potential to see four more years of the Baton Rouge, LA, product.
2024 outlook for the LSU sophomore wide receiver
Earning praise from coach Brian Kelly is never something that should be overlooked, particularly when it comes to underclassmen. With that being said, we still might not see a ton of the LSU sophomore wide receiver in 2024.
While there’s still plenty of time to see the improvements that are necessary over the next year or so, the veteran presence currently ahead of him on the depth chart could be a bit too much to overcome heading into his redshirt freshman season.
Still, as coach Kelly said while speaking with the media, his ability to track balls downfield could be a problem for defenses in the near future. If he continues to build up his physicality as a route runner, don’t be surprised to see him get a hefty dose of snaps in 2025 – if not sooner.
Furthermore, if for whatever reason the Tigers end up running low on depth within the wide receiver position room, Sampson Jr has the potential to make a serious impact if given the opportunity. For now, though, the Louisiana-based wide receiver has found himself in the midst of a talented pass catching group and may need to wait one more year to truly get a chance to shine.
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