LSU football: Answering 5 questions on offense entering the 2023 preseason

Lafayette Daily Advertiser
BATON ROUGE – LSU football's 2023 season begins this week.
The Tigers will start preseason practices for coach Brian Kelly's second year in charge on Thursday. And although they'll bring back the majority of their starters on offense from last year's SEC West championship team, there are still some questions surrounding LSU's unit for 2023.
Here are five answers to five questions surrounding LSU football's offense entering this season.
LSU football: Who will emerge as the lead running back?
LSU will enter the season with all of its running backs from last year returning. But don't expect the Tigers to have the same leading ball carrier in 2023.
The addition of Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs changes the equation in the backfield for LSU. Diggs rushed for 820 yards on 165 carries last season and is familiar with Kelly thanks to their time together in South Bend.
"We like his versatility. He played really well at Notre Dame when he was given the opportunity," Kelly said at SEC Media Days. “He was a little bit, I think, limited with a hamstring last year. We saw how he played against South Carolina with the big run. But he's a very talented player in all areas."
Josh Williams had a strong campaign last season as LSU's leading rusher. But Diggs' pedigree and Kelly's willingness to add another running back indicate that the Tigers are looking to spruce up their backfield this season by leaning more on Diggs.
LSU football: What will the offensive line depth chart look like?
The starting group for LSU's offensive line is mostly set with Will Campbell at left tackle, Garrett Dellinger at left guard, Charles Turner at center, Miles Frazier at right guard and Emery Jones at right tackle.
But injuries are bound to happen. That's why Maryland transfer Mason Lunsford, center Marlon Martinez and five-star freshman tackle Zalance Heard will be so important as the Tigers' leading depth pieces on the offensive line.
LSU football: Can Garrett Nussmeier challenge Jayden Daniels for the starting quarterback job?
Kelly has declared on numerous occassions that Jayden Daniels is LSU's starting quarterback this season. But, with that said, don't be surprised if Garrett Nussmeier gives Daniels a run for his money this year.
Nussmeier had an explosive performance in the SEC Championship Game and is expected to be LSU's starter in 2024. He has the arm talent and enough experience to challenge almost any Power 5 starting quarterback in college football for their job, including Daniels.
LSU football: Who will emerge as the Tigers' No. 2 wide receiver?
Malik Nabers is LSU's No. 1 wideout, but who will be his No. 2 behind him?
Brian Thomas Jr. had the second most receptions among wideouts returning this season, making him a strong candidate. LSU also added Alabama transfer Aaron Anderson and four freshman to replace the departing Jaray Jenkins and Kayshon Boutte.
But expect Kyren Lacy to be the leading man for LSU's No. 2 wide receiver role behind Nabers. Lacy was LSU's best offensive player in the spring game and consistently impressed Kelly throughout spring practices.
"The work that he's been doing is much more about (a) consistent approach in practice and I think we're starting to see how that's traslating into performance," Kelly said after the spring game.
LSU football: Which newcomer will make the greatest impact this season?
Diggs is the leading answer here if he becomes LSU's lead running back. But besides him, Heard and Lunsford are two top candidates to be impact contributors if the Tigers suffer an injuries on the offensive line.