Video: TAF Coaches Caravan visit caps off ‘very busy’ June for Orgeron, LSU assistants

 
METAIRIE – Almost a year ago to the day, when LSU coaches made their way to Walk-On’s as part of last year’s TAF Coaches Caravan, the attitude was somewhat different.

Joe Burrow had only been on campus a couple of weeks and there were many other unknowns for the Tigers, who would enter the season near the bottom of most preseason Top 25 polls.

With Burrow entrenched as LSU’s quarterback, returnees at key positions and on the heels of a Fiesta Bowl victory over UCF, Coach Ed Orgeron and his assistants appeared much more relaxed … and the Tigers will be much closer to the top of the polls this time around.

“(Burrow) brings confidence to everyone,” Orgeron said. “He had the whole team out practicing at 10 o’clock on Saturday morning, on their own. He’s a tremendous leader.”

On defense, Orgeron describes safety Grant Delpit as “probably the best defensive player in America.”

Cornerback Derek Stingley of The Dunham School heads the list of Tiger newcomers.

“He’s tall, he’s long and he’s fast,” Orgeron said. “I think Derek’s going to give us a tremendous boost in the return game.”

New passing game coordinator Joe Brady and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger are working well together, Orgeron said.

“Steve’s getting older; he’s like John Wayne,” Orgeron said. “Joe is young and energetic. Those guys work tremendous together.”

This summer hasn’t been time to sit back and relax, though.

“We’ve had a very busy June,” Orgeron said. “Our guys have done 10 football camps. We’ve had 24 official visits. Our coaches haven’t taken a day off.

“On Thursday, our guys will start vacation for a month, get fresh and get ready to go.”

LSU heads to SEC Media Days in three weeks before opening preseason camp in advance of the season opener Aug. 31 against Georgia Southern at Tiger Stadium.