Lane Kiffin’s first preseason practice at LSU came with the kind of moment that can still get a coach, no matter how long he’s been around, to pause and take it in.
After jogging out to the field Wednesday morning for the Tigers’ opening workout, Kiffin said the feeling landed quickly.
“Yeah, it was awesome. And it kind of hit me this morning going out there,” he said at a press conference after practice.
“A lot of respect for the program, a lot of gratitude for this opportunity. With that, a lot of work to do.
Everyone was in really good spirits, really good energy. We have a long way to go.
We have a lot of good pieces. We have a chance to be very good.
Everyone wants to talk about what the record will be, but there are also a lot of outside circumstances like injuries.”
LSU said the team was at full health, with all players expected reporting for the start of camp.
The biggest eyes during the media viewing window were on quarterback Sam Leavitt, who is coming back from surgery on his right foot after his season ended midway through last year at Arizona State. Kiffin came away pleased with what he saw.
“I thought he had a great day,” Kiffin said. “Really looked like he was working well with the receivers.
I really don’t look at it like he was far behind. He’s progressed really well.
I think he is right one pace. He looked really good.
If you had just watched him and didn’t know, you wouldn’t think he was coming off an injury.”
LSU is scheduled to practice again Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Up front, the opening first-team offensive line matched the group that finished spring ball: Jordan Seaton at left tackle, Bo Bordelon at left guard, Braelin Moore at center, Aliou Bah at right guard and Weston Davis at right tackle. The second line was the same group LSU used to close spring, with Sean Thompkins Jr., Devin Harper, William Satterwhite II, Ja’Quan Sprinkle and Darrin Strey from left to right.
There was also a notable change in the secondary. D.J.
Pickett and P.J. Woodland opened as the starting cornerbacks, while Ja’Keem Jackson and Michael Turner Jr. worked with the second unit.
Pickett also showed up in a new jersey number, moving from 3 to 5. Kiffin explained that the switch was tied to what Pickett had been told during the recruiting process under the previous staff before he signed in 2024 out of Zephyrhills, Florida, as a five-star prospect. He wore No. 3 last season.
“The kid’s promised something. He should wear it,” Kiffin said. “It should be honored what he was told.”
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