3 reasons LSU football fans have to be optimistic about 2021 season

LSU football is still in a position to be better in 2021 despite clear troubles in 2020.

It’s been a rough 2020 for the defending champion LSU Tigers, but there’s still reason for some optimism heading into 2021.

LSU football finished the regular season with an exciting, late victory over Ole Miss, 53-48.

With a win in the bag, here are some things to focus on with a new year on the horizon…

Max Johnson – Kayshon Boutte dup is electric

Max Johnson is no Joe Burrow, but who is? The true freshman is still a promising prospect who led the Tigers to an upset victory over Florida with 239 yards and three touchdowns. That kind of performance can be built on.

Best of all, Johnson has a favorite target who should be around for years to come.

Kayshon Boutte has been a menace in the month of December against the two best opponents on LSU’s schedule. He had 111 yards on eight catches against Alabama and 108 yards on five catches against Florida. He followed that up with an even more dominant performance against Ole Miss, with 14 catches for 308 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner.

Johnson and Boutte should only get better together.

Derek Stingley Jr. is still really good

LSU’s defense took a major hit with departures in 2020. The good news is they can expect back their best defensive player for 2021. Derek Stingley Jr. is still one of the premier cornerbacks in the country, even though he’s dealt with injury.

He’s only a sophomore, so the All-American cornerback will be back for his junior season next year and, hopefully, fully healthy. It’ll get even better as Elias Ricks and the rest of LSU’s secondary gets a year more experienced.

LSU brought in another top-3 recruiting class

Ed Orgeron can still recruit with the best of them.

LSU is on the verge of signing another elite recruiting class with 20 national letters of intent collected on Early Signing Day, which ranks as the No. 3 class on 247Sports. Included among those were five-star defensive tackle Maason Smith and five-star safety Sage Ryan.

Eight of LSU’s 20 signees rank in the Top 100 of the 247Sports composite. Another is supposed to come as well with four-star outside linebacker Raesjon Davis committed but signing in February.

With or without Davis, the class is stacked with talent. The cupboard in Baton Rouge won’t be bare any time soon so long as the staff continues to bring in excellent recruiting classes.

There are obvious things to work on and major gaps to fill. The Tigers have the talent to fix those problems and fill those gaps.

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