What will LSU football’s depth chart look like in season opener? Our final prediction

BATON ROUGE — LSU football enters the 2023 season with many of the same starters that led the Tigers to a 10-win campaign last year, coach Brian Kelly's first campaign in charge.

But how many of last year's starters will retain their spots this year? And how many new faces will permeate the Tigers' offense and defense?

Here's a look at the Tigers' depth chart ahead of the season opener against Florida State in Orlando on Sept. 3 (6:30 p.m., ABC).

Quarterback

Starter: Jayden Daniels, Sr.

The reserves: Garrett Nussmeier, R-So.; Rickie Collins, Fr.

Kelly has consistently stated that Daniels is LSU's starter since the Citrus Bowl. But don't underestimate Nussmeier, he could start for most Power 5 teams.

Running back

Starter: Logan Diggs, Jr.

The reserves: Josh Williams, Sr.; Noah Cain, Sr.; Armoni Goodwin, Jr.; John Emery, Sr.; Tre Bradford, So.; Kaleb Jackson, Fr.; Trey Holly, Fr.

Listing a starter at running back almost seems silly given how many veteran options with playing experience LSU has at the position. Diggs earns the nod here only because it's hard to believe that Kelly was willing to add him to the fold this offseason without using him a lot this year.

Wide receiver

Starters: Malik Nabers, Jr.; Kyren Lacy, Sr.; Brian Thomas Jr., Jr.

Reserves: Aaron Anderson, R-Fr.; Chris Hilton Jr., So.; Shelton Sampson, Fr.; Jalen Brown, Fr.; Kyle Parker, Fr.; Khai Prean, Fr.; Landon Ibieta, R-Fr.

Nabers has a chance to be one of the best receivers in college football this year. Figuring out who starts behind him is a bit tricky, but Lacy had a great spring and his August has been just as impressive, while Thomas' experience and steadiness give him the edge for the last starting spot. Anderson may not start right away, but his killer speed and shiftiness provide an element to the offense that the Tigers didn't have a year ago.

Tight end

Starter: Mason Taylor, So.

Reserves: Mac Markway, Fr.; Ka'Morreun Pimpton, Fr.; Jackson McGohan, Fr.; Connor Gilbreath, So.

Taylor stepped up into the void at tight end last year and should only improve in Year 2. He'll have more talent and depth behind him this season between Markway's well-rounded game, Pimpton's elite size and catch radius and McGohan's route-running capabilities.

Offensive line

Starters: Will Campbell, So. (left tackle); Garrett Dellinger, Jr. (left guard); Charles Turner, Sr. (center); Miles Frazier, Jr. (right guard); Emery Jones, So. (right tackle)

Reserves: Lance Heard, Fr.; Mason Lunsford, Jr.; DJ Chester, Fr.; Marlon Martinez, Sr.; Bo Bordelon, R-Fr.; Tyree Adams, Fr.; Paul Mubenga, Fr.

All five of LSU's projected starters this season started for at least a part of the year last year. But Heard, the former five-star prospect, has a chance to upset that order at some point this season. Heard played snaps at right tackle with the first-team offense, as Jones shifted to right guard during the scrimmage portion of Saturday's practice.

Defensive tackle

Starters: Jacobian Guillory, Jr.; Mekhi Wingo, Jr.

Reserves: Jordan Jefferson, Sr.; Jalen Lee, Jr.; Tygee Hill, R-Fr.

LSU has arguably the best interior defensive line in the country between Maason Smith's five-star talent and Wingo becoming an AP third-team All-American last season. But Smith's reported suspension for the Florida State game will force the Tigers to go with Guillory, Lee or Shand to start for the season opener.

Defensive end

Starter: Sai'vion Jones, Jr.

Reserves: Paris Shand, Jr.; Da'Shawn Womack, Fr.; Quency Wiggins, R-Fr.

Jones outplayed last year's starter Ali Gaye for parts of last season, making him the leading candidate to start. Shand is another transfer and provides veteran depth to the position while Womack has the flexibility to play end and Jack linebacker. Wiggins is a dark horse candidate to earn snaps this season if he continues to improve.

Jack linebacker

Starter: Ovie Oghoufo, Sr.

Reserves: Bradyn Swinson, Jr.; Da'Shawn Womack, Fr.; Jaxon Howard, Fr.; Dylan Carpenter, Fr.

Oghoufo is expected to take the majority of snaps, but Swinson will certainly play early and often for LSU. Kelly has said they like what Swinson can bring to the position on third down. Both veterans will be complimented by a trio of talented freshmen, led by the versatile former five-star recruit in Womack.

Linebacker

Starters: Harold Perkins, So.; Omar Speights, Sr.

Reserves: Greg Penn III, Jr.; West Weeks, Jr.; Whit Weeks, Fr.; Christian Brathwaite, Fr.

The trio of Perkins, Speights and Penn is as strong of a linebacking corps as any other in the country. Potential problems at the position don't arise until after those three, as LSU lacks depth with only one veteran and two freshmen behind the starters.

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Safety

Starters: Greg Brooks Jr., Sr.; Major Burns, Jr.; Andre' Sam, Sr.

Reserves: Sage Ryan, So.; Javien Toviano, Fr.; Ryan Yaites, Fr.; Matthew Langlois, So.; Kylin Jackson, Fr.; Jordan Allen, R-Fr.

Sam's fantastic performances this fall should earn him a starting role next to returning veterans Brooks and Burns, as Kelly has also indicated that he likes the flexibility that playing three safeties at the same time gives the defense. Ryan has played more outside cornerback lately, but can easily move to safety if there is an injury to any of the starters.

Cornerback

Starters: Duce Chestnut, Jr.; Zy Alexander, Jr.

Reserves: Sage Ryan, So.; Ashton Stamps, Fr.; Laterrance Welch, So.; Javien Toviano, Fr.; Ryan Robinson, Fr.; Denver Harris, So.; Jeremiah Hughes, Fr.

Chestnut and Alexander have consistently been the Tigers' lead cornerbacks since JK Johnson's left leg fracture. Harris figured to be in this group as well, but he has missed a chunk of preseason practices due to "personal matters" and has been mostly working with the third-team defense. LSU has some options here but this position group is easily the shakiest on the team.

Specialists

Starters: Jay Bramblett, Sr. (punter); Damian Ramos, So. (kicker); Slade Roy, Jr. (long snapper); Aaron Anderson, R-Fr. (punt returner); Javen Nicholas, R-Fr. (kick returner); Nathan Dibert, So. (kickoff specialist)

Reserves: Peyton Todd, So. (punter); Jonathan Ferguson, So. (long snapper); Jake Davis, So. (long snapper); Gregory Clayton Jr., Sr. (punt and kick returner); Kyle Parker, Fr. (punt returner); Jalen Brown, Fr. (punt returner)

Bramblett and Ramos return after solid 2022 seasons, while Anderson is a major upgrade from what the Tigers had last year at punt returner. Kick-returning duties are up in the air, but Anderson could also be the answer there if LSU is willing to give him that extra load.

Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football: Depth chart prediction for Florida State game, 2023