Brian Kelly’s Key Takeaways From SEC Media Days

Brian Kelly took the stage at the 2023 SEC Media Days from Nashville, Tennessee, as he embarks on his second season in Baton Rouge. Kelly was able to have immediate success during his first year at LSU as the Tigers were able to win the SEC West for the first time since the 2019 season. The Tigers were also able to reach the 10-win mark after taking down Purdue in the Citrus Bowl. There is a lot to be excited about this LSU team heading into the 2023 season, as they will be one of the favorites to claim the division title again. Here were some key takeaways from Kelly’s appearance at this year’s SEC Media Days:

Jayden Daniels is the Starter…For Now

LSU QB Jayden Daniels (5) – Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Heading into this season, there haven’t been many circling questions of who the starting quarterback will be for LSU once they take on Florida State to open up the 2023 season, as Jayden Daniels will be one of the top returning quarterbacks in the SEC. Daniels has a lot of expectations as he enters his second year in the system. He was able to progress throughout the season from the first game to the last, and Kelly wants the progression to continue into year two.

“The progression for Daniels in year two is for him to be aggressive, but controlled, run when he needs to, and be confident in his abilities. Progression for Daniels is continued growth from last game where he pushed the ball down the field and the ability to step into the pocket and still find a receiver down the field, making tight window throws.”

Daniels showed his confidence at times and was able to serve an instant impact on LSU’s offense during the 2022 season. He would take over as the starting quarterback in camp last year. In his debut season in Baton Rouge, Daniels rushed for a team-high 885 yards and 11 touchdowns. Through the air, Daniels completed 266 passes for 2,913 yards and 17 touchdowns. Daniels was also able to take care of the football last season as he had only three interceptions on the year. Kelly insisted that the senior quarterback will be the starter heading into the season, but he wants to continue see the quarterback continue to improve.

“Daniels is the starter. However, he has to continue to work and progress because Garrett Nussmeier is getting better everyday.”

Nussmeier has been one of the bright spots in the offseason as he continues to get better at the position. During the 2022 season, Nussmeier appeared in seven games. On the year, he completed 52 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns. The arm talent is undeniable, but there continues to be room for improvement for the Lake Charles, Louisiana native. Nussmeier continues to push Daniels to the brim and has continued to catch the eyes of LSU fans watching. The second half of the SEC Championship game showed what Nussmeier is capable of as he completed 15 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns.

Transfer Portal Additions in the Secondary

Former Texas A&M CB Denver Harris (2) – Matthew Visinsky/Getty Images

Kelly and his staff continued to look at the transfer portal to fill holes on the roster. In his first season in Baton Rouge, Kelly made an emphasis on adding bodies at the cornerback position. He was able to be successful as he added Greg Brooks Jr., Joe Foucha, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, and Mekhi Garner.

All three players were able to make an impact on the Tiger defense in 2022, and it was pivotal for LSU to win the transfer portal battle last season. This offseason was very similar as LSU had to fill some big shoes in the secondary. Kelly emphasized that they have to get better in some areas on defense, and that was one of the big reasons to dip into the transfer portal again:

“We are a team that needs to get off the field on third down. That’s something we weren’t very good at it last year. That starts with that group (secondary).”

LSU used the transfer portal this offseason as they lost some key departures in their secondary. The Tigers added Darian “Duce” Chestnut, Zy Alexander, and Denver Harris into the mix. They will join other returning talent in the back end of the defense as Major Burns, Brooks Jr., and Sage Ryan still remain on the roster heading into the 2023 season. LSU faces the same story as it did a year ago as they lost a number of guys to the NFL Draft. There is certainly talent scattered around the secondary, but they will have to be able to piece it together heading into this season.

Maason Smith’s Impactful Return to the Defense

LSU DT Maason Smith (0) – Ken Murray/Getty Images

LSU’s defense will be getting one of their top defensive players heading into this season as Maason Smith will return after missing out on the 2022 season. Smith suffered a torn ACL on the first drive of the season against Florida State in the season opener last year. He is one of the nation’s top defensive linemen, and he will be motivated to get back on the field. Kelly praised Smith at SEC Media Days, and he implied that he will be a game-changer as he makes his return to the Tiger defense:

“Smith being healthy will be huge for the LSU defense because teams will have to essentially pick double-teaming him inside or Harold Perkins on the edge, leaving the other in a one-on-one.”

Smith was able to fully recover from his torn ACL last season and enters the 2023 season with no limitations. He showed what he is capable of during his freshman season in 2021. During his debut season with the Tigers, Smith appeared in nine games. In his debut in Tiger Stadium against McNeese, Smith recorded six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks.

He was due to have a breakout season heading into the 2022 season, but his season was cut short. He will now join forces with Mekhi Wingo, who quietly had a huge impact on the Tiger defensive line while Smith was absent. The talented defensive lineman will certainly make an instant impact on LSU’s defense in 2023.