Most position battles within the LSU football roster are settled, but a few remain up for grabs with the Tigers days away from week one kickoff at Clemson. One of those spots is left guard, where three players are competing for time.
Paul Mubenga, DJ Chester, and Coen Echols have rotated at left guard throughout fall camp and there’s still not much clarity at the position.
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LSU head coach Brian Kelly won’t name a starter, but he did offer some insight into what each brings to the table.
Kelly highlighted Mubenga’s movement skills, saying the redshirt sophomore guard has the tools to deal with stunts.
With Chester, LSU likes the experience. Chester was LSU’s starting center in 2024. With LSU losing four of five starting linemen from the 2024 squad, Chester’s experience is hard to overlook.
And with Echols, Kelly likes the physicality. Echols was a blue-chip recruit and has the strength to handle SEC defensive tackles.
It’s hard to say what Kelly’s comments mean for the expected rotation at Clemson. The Clemson defensive front will move quite a bit with Tom Allen calling the plays — that works in Mubenga’s favor. But playing in a road environment like this isn’t easy, which could require Chester’s experience. Or, LSU might prefer Echols’ strength to deal with Clemson’s raw talent.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Brian Kelly offers insight into LSU football’s competition at guard
