LSU spring football practice finally started Monday after two separate delays.
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Both coach Les Miles and the players are ready to seize and enjoy the opportunities to compete as the team embarks on its 15 spring practices.
“We’re going to have fun with it,” said senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard. “You have to be here anyway, so you might as well have fun.”
Miles said team leaders are stepping up to their roles, and LSU’s newest coaches took the field with their players for the first time.
Miles said junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson is beginning to take ownership of the team.
“I saw a guy who wants to improve,” Miles said. “It appeared to me there was a little more sense of urgency in his game.”
Jefferson agreed this is his season to really take the reins in the offensive huddle.
“I have to lead the team,” Jefferson said. “We lost a lot of guys offensively last year, and now I have to be that guy. I have to take control and manage the offense and make sure we have a great season.”
LSU tight ends coach Steve Ensminger joined running backs coach Frank Wilson and wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Billy Gonzales as new coaches on the field.
Ensminger, a former LSU quarterback from 1979-79, was hired Thursday.
“Steve Ensminger, I can’t imagine the amount of football he’s picked up in this short time that he’s been here,” Miles said. “His experience will help us in a number of ways, not only looking at some route combinations, but filling in some offensive views and certainly
coaching those tight ends.”
Senior running back Richard Murphy returned to football for the first time since injuring his knee against Vanderbilt on Sept. 12. Miles said Murphy will take part in nearly every aspect of spring practice.
“Murphy will take just as many reps as any running back we have, possibly with the exception of live tackle reps,” Miles said. “He may get the opportunity late in the spring to get some live reps, but that’s still under consideration.”
Murphy said he underwent a procedure to repair his knee that involved virtually stretching his hamstring into his anterior cruciate ligament. Now heading into spring practice, he said his knee “feels great.”
“I’m doing everything I need to do, taking my time and working to get better at everything – pass protection, running between the tackles,” Murphy said. “I feel like I can get some contact. I’m a little disappointed wearing a green jersey all the time, but I know [coaches] are looking out for me.”
Sophomore wide receiver Russell Shepard said he is easing into his new role on offense, although he said becoming acclimated to the position definitely brings new challenges.
“Here at LSU I can benefit the team more at the receiver position as well as on special teams,” Shepard said. “The Florida game [in 2009] really opened my eyes that I needed to make the switch, and I talked to coach Miles two days later. I don’t want to be in games for just five or 10 plays. I want to play 60 snaps a game.”
On the injury front, Miles said sophomore defensive tackle Josh Downs and junior safety Karnell Hatcher were the only two players to miss practice. Downs has a sore thigh muscle, and Hatcher suffered a groin injury.
“Downs will be a week or two, with the chance he might be quicker than that,” Miles said. “With Hatcher, we’re probably four or five days from him letting us know exactly where he’s at. He may miss the spring, or he may heal and come on.”
