After weeks of speculation, reports have surfaced regarding LSU standout wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's apparent decision to opt-out of his junior campaign in preparation of next year's NFL Draft.
The junior-to-be was set to return for an encore season following an outstanding sophomore campaign, which led to him bringing home the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's premier receiver.
By all accounts, Chase is a sure-fire first round pick, likely even top-10, leaving a huge void in LSU's wide receiver room.
While replacing Chase is impossible, the Tigers feel good about the amount of talent they have in the group, and the confidence level regarding the potential of the corps did not take a huge hit with the Chase news. Here is a look at what a wide receiver depth chart minus Ja'Marr Chase would look like in 2020 for LSU.
Chase was the "X" receiver in LSU's offense. Freshman Kayshon Boutte has been seeing a lot of second string backup reps during practice, but he may not be a shoe-in to move into Chase's spot.
LSU will look to move Terrace Marshall to become the primary "X" receiver, with some opportunities in the slot likely. Marshall has spent much of his fall camp working as the new slot receiver in three wide receiver sets, replacing Justin Jefferson. There has been a battle for the backup slot receiver spot, with freshman receiver Koy Moore edging out sophomore Trey Palmer for much of the camp. But Palmer is said to have found his stride of late, closing the small gap Moore had created.
Racey McMath appears to have the "Z" spot locked up, although he was likely to take a backseat to Marshall at the position during two wide receiver sets. Junior Jaray Jenkins will not be the primary backup at the position.
Ultimately, LSU will likely split time between Moore, Palmer and Boutte in their 3 and 4 wide receiver sets. I expect Moore to emerge as the starting slot receiver by mid-season, if not earlier.
The junior-to-be was set to return for an encore season following an outstanding sophomore campaign, which led to him bringing home the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's premier receiver.
By all accounts, Chase is a sure-fire first round pick, likely even top-10, leaving a huge void in LSU's wide receiver room.
While replacing Chase is impossible, the Tigers feel good about the amount of talent they have in the group, and the confidence level regarding the potential of the corps did not take a huge hit with the Chase news. Here is a look at what a wide receiver depth chart minus Ja'Marr Chase would look like in 2020 for LSU.
Chase was the "X" receiver in LSU's offense. Freshman Kayshon Boutte has been seeing a lot of second string backup reps during practice, but he may not be a shoe-in to move into Chase's spot.
LSU will look to move Terrace Marshall to become the primary "X" receiver, with some opportunities in the slot likely. Marshall has spent much of his fall camp working as the new slot receiver in three wide receiver sets, replacing Justin Jefferson. There has been a battle for the backup slot receiver spot, with freshman receiver Koy Moore edging out sophomore Trey Palmer for much of the camp. But Palmer is said to have found his stride of late, closing the small gap Moore had created.
Racey McMath appears to have the "Z" spot locked up, although he was likely to take a backseat to Marshall at the position during two wide receiver sets. Junior Jaray Jenkins will not be the primary backup at the position.
Ultimately, LSU will likely split time between Moore, Palmer and Boutte in their 3 and 4 wide receiver sets. I expect Moore to emerge as the starting slot receiver by mid-season, if not earlier.
