LSU Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

1. Battles At Quarterback and Running Back (Behind Guice)

It’s safe to say that Derrius Guice’s position as the bell-cow running back for the LSU offense is secure. He’s going to fill the void left by Leonard Fournette and proved last season he’s more than capable. However, the question remains of who is going to fill the void he leaves. In addition to being the unofficial “Defensive Back U,” LSU has also been quite successful at churning out top-tier players out of the backfield. But the question now becomes who is going to help Guice shoulder the load.

Darrel Williams and Lanard Fournette (yes, brother of Leonard) will be returning players and playing in Baton Rouge during the LSU Football Spring Game. However, neither player truthfully has enough work to have fully established themselves as the No. 2 option behind Guice. Can either of those players show something to take that role before star freshman Clyde Edwards-Helaire arrives for the start of the 2017 school year and summer practice?

In a similar vein — but perhaps a more open one — the hierarchy at quarterback is undecided as well heading into the spring game. Without question, Orgeron’s guy for now will be the returning Danny Etling. However, there are a slew of players behind him that the new LSU head coach insists will have a shot at the job. Justin McMillan, Lindsey Scott Jr. and a pair of freshmen will have their shots to compete with Etling.

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Why this will be pivotal for the Tigers is simply their inadequacy at the position. Despite tremendous talent at wide receiver over the years, the position has been a question mark at LSU in recent memory. Etling showed flashes and perhaps Canada can help to remedy his issues and make him a big-time player. Whether it’s him or someone else vying for the job, though, the Tigers need someone to start stepping up to balance the attack with Guice.