The LSU Tigers’ strengths and weaknesses are fairly cut and dry through nine games of the 2023 season. LSU’s offense is one of, if not the best in college football, while their defense leaves a lot to be desired.
Gator Country provides you with 10 Tigers to watch out for against the Florida Gators in week 11.
QB JAYDEN DANIELS #5
Jayden Daniels has led LSU to the top ranked offense in college football, placing himself in the middle of the Heisman race with just three regular season games remaining. Daniels accounts for 3,476 yards and 33 touchdowns while proving to be a threat both through the air and on the ground. Daniels is not only one of the best players on LSU’s offense, but one of the best players in the entire country. His offensive grade of 93.1 is a team high and ranks 1st amongst FBS quarterbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Daniels leads LSU in both passing yards and rushing yards while accounting for 71% of LSU’s offensive production. Daniels is listed as probable after suffering a head injury a week ago.
WR MALIK NABERS #8
Daniels’ top target Malik Nabers has established himself as one of the best receivers in the country in 2023. Nabers has recorded 66 catches 1,152 yards and 10 touchdowns through nine games. The 6-0, 200-pounder grades as the best wide receiver in the country, holding a 92.6 offensive grade, according to PFF. The duo of Daniels and Nabers has been one of the best in the country this season and will be something to watch once again in week 11. Jason Marshall and Devin Moore will have their hands full trying to stop Malik Nabers.
WR BRIAN THOMAS JR. #11
Brian Thomas is putting together a heck of a season as a WR2 in a highly effective LSU offense, hauling in 45 receptions for 768 yards and a team high 11 touchdowns. Thomas is 5th in the SEC in yards while Nabers is 1st. The duo of Nabers and Thomas has put up better numbers than Justin Jefferson and Jamar Chase did in 2019 through the first nine games. Brian Thomas is the bigger receiver of the two, standing at 6-4, 205 pounds.
TE MASON TAYLOR #86
The 2022 All SEC Freshmen is not having the production many had hoped for in his second collegiate season, but Taylor has still recorded 23 receptions, 208 yards, and one touchdown. The 6-6, 255-pound tight end is hard to miss on the field and is their leading tight end in terms of snap counts.
RB LOGAN DIGGS #3
Logan Diggs leads LSU’s backfield with 113 carries for 635 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Diggs’ running grade of 87.3 is a team high and ranks T-26th in the FBS, according to PFF. LSU will rely on Diggs and Daniels for a majority of their rushing production. LSU’s Josh Williams is third on the team in carries with 23.
LB HAROLD PERKINS #4
Perkins broke onto the scene in 2022 as he recorded 7.5 sacks as a true freshman for the Tigers. In 2023, Perkins has tallied 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception, four pass deflections, and 47 tackles. Perkins is a guy that has lined up all over the field for the Tigers, logging 185 snaps as an edge rusher, 165 in the box, and 159 in the slot. There’s no telling where Perkins will line up on any given play, but you have to know where #4 is at all times.
S MAJOR BURNS #8
Major Burns grades as the worst starter on LSU’s defense, allowing 326 yards and a team high four touchdowns in coverage. Burns will split reps inside the box in effort to help in run support. Burns leads the Tigers’ defense in snaps, which makes him a player to watch in week 11. However, his season as not gone as planned.
EDGE BRADYN SWINSON #13
Swinson is a player to watch because he holds the highest win rate amongst LSU defensive lineman with more than 50 snaps this season. His win rate of 15.7% has led to a team high 15 pressures, 11 QB hurries, and three QB hits.
CB JAVIEN TOVIANO #25
Toviano has recently been launched into a significant role after some injuries in LSU’s secondary. Toviano played 68 snaps last week against Alabama after not breaking 20 in a single game this season. The freshman is in line for more playing time once again in week 11 and could have his hands full trying to defend Ricky Pearsall and Eugene Wilson.
DL MAASON SMITH #00
Smith has logged 373 snaps this season, the second most amongst LSU defensive lineman and most amongst interior defensive lineman. His 6-6, 315-pound frame is intriguing as he’s generated 11 pressures in 2023, T-4th most on the team. Smith does not have a missed tackle this season and has totaled 16 tackles to date.