April 11: The LSU spring game is Saturday; here's what we'll be watching for

Beat writer Wilson Alexander joins sports editor Perryn Keys to break down what to expect in the LSU spring football game, which gets underway at 1 p.m. Saturday. First things first: We know that what we see in the spring game will not be the finished product, but rather a glimpse into what the Tigers still need to work on between now and Sept. 1, when they face USC in Las Vegas. This is Garrett Nussmeier's first time in charge (aside from the ReliaQuest Bowl, of course), and he will likely get a relatively quick — to a void injury, sure, but to give coaches a long look at potential No. 2 quarterbacks AJ Swann and Rickie Collins. Saturday is also a chance to see just how thin LSU is at running back (for now) and whether their group of tight ends has started to realize some of their potential. Wilson also discusses two new safeties who make their debut in an LSU uniform Saturday: true freshman Dashawn McBryde and Texas A&M transfer Jardin Gilbert, not to mention promising cornerback PJ Woodland. Wilson also breaks down how the new defensive staff is *trying* to make Harold Perkins into a more complete linebacker (though we won't have a full verdict, of course, until much later). Finally, we discuss punters, punt returners and other potential hidden gems. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Subscribe to The Advocate: theadvocate.com/subscribe Sign up for the LSU Sports Insider newsletter: theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter 0:00-Intro 3:10-Why the spring game is not a final product 4:50-Garrett Nussmeier at the controls 9:00-Why LSU is suddenly thin at the RB position 12:15-Is LSU more complete at the TE position 18:00-Brian Kelly is still searching for defensive tackles 20:00-FIrst look at Dashawn McBryde, Jardin Gilbert 22:40-Harold Perkins and the million-dollar question 28:50-Take a look at these specialists 31:20-Zavion Thomas: a difference-maker at PR? 32:20-The most intriguing auditions for emerging stars 35:15-A run through LSU's second-team defense 37:30-What you don't see in the spring game