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LSU Football: Top 3 way-too-early 2022 breakout candidates

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

Kayshon Boutte (No. 1) reacts after scoring a touchdown with Deion Smith (No. 6) and Jack Bech (No. 80) as the LSU Tigers football team takes on the Auburn Tigers in Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.Half 1 Lsu Vs Auburn Football 5685
Kayshon Boutte (No. 1) reacts after scoring a touchdown with Deion Smith (No. 6) and Jack Bech (No. 80) as the LSU Tigers football team takes on the Auburn Tigers in Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.Half 1 Lsu Vs Auburn Football 5685 /
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With ‘Coach O’ outta town, and Brian Kelly now in charge, can LSU football regain its footing as the true ‘DBU’? Or will another skill group take over in the Bayou?

After years as one of college football’s winningest programs, LSU football ended the 2021 season with a disappointing record of 6-7 and bid farewell to the once-beloved Ed Orgeron.

Although, the Tigers’ faithful didn’t have to wait very long for his successor to take shape, and boy was it a good one.

Following an impressive 11-2 season, along with yet another bowl appearance, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly sent shock waves through college football when he opted to take his talents south to LSU. A program that’s itching to reclaim its spot atop the college football landscape.

Even though Brian Kelly never won a national championship during his time in South Bend, he did leave an insuperable mark having won more games than any coach in program history (113). Finishing above Notre Dame legend, Knute Rockne, and his 105 wins for the Irish.

Not only does Kelly bring years of winning experience with him to Baton Rouge, but he has also already put together one of the best groups of assistants in the country. Including Cincinnati’s former OC, and 2021 Broyles Award finalist, Mike Denbrock. As well as Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach, Matt House, and Kelly’s former special teams’ coordinator, Brian Polian.

He’s also taking over an LSU football team that still has loads of talent and athleticism all over the field, as well as some freshly minted transfers who seem primed to make an immediate impact.

Being just three years removed from an undefeated season, and with each of the last three Tigers’ head coaches having won national championships. LSU enters 2022 with high aspirations, despite losing nearly all of their starters on defense via the draft or transfers.

While this might feel like an overwhelming amount of pressure, there’s arguably nobody more prepared to return the program back to their winning ways than Brian Kelly.

Ignoring his strange adoption of the cajun accent, and cringy dance moves, the man knows how to win, and that’s exactly what the Tigers need right now. However, for him to reach the mountaintop, and claim his first-ever CFB title, he’s going to need some of his players to break out and perform at a championship level.

While trying to predict how a team will perform with a new head coach, and staff is next to impossible. Not to mention the myriad of fresh faces lining up on both sides of the ball. There are a few marquee Tigers who should be able to step in and make an impact right away.

Here are the top three breakout candidates for LSU football in 2022.

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