Veteran LSU football wide receiver ready to see expanded role in the offense
LSU football wide receiver Zavion Thomas took a big step this offseason.The former Mississippi State wide receiver began his career with the Bulldogs in 2022.
He spent two years in Starkville before transferring to LSU for the 2024 season.
Thomas caught 40 passes for 502 yards with Mississippi State in 2023, but his role was more limited in the LSU offense.LSU found ways to get Thomas the ball, even working him into the backfield, but Thomas didn't see a high volume of touches.
He caught 23 passes for 218 yards and two scores while also making a difference on special teams.Two weeks into fall camp, Thomas has been a standout.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly was asked about Thomas' heightened impact.
"Well, I think the first thing that stands out is his leadership.
You know, he's been great in theoffseason.
I think there's more of a comfort level in how things are done here on a day-to-daybasis, coming in from Mississippi State," Kelly said.Kelly said Thomas was a factor last year, but the coaches felt his role could be expanded.
"He's a talented runner of the football.
He certainly, from a wide receiver standpoint, helped our team last year.
We think he can help us even more.
So it has grown, that role," Kelly said.
LSU lost four of its top five pass catchers from the 2024 season, and Thomas provides a key veteran presence with three years of SEC experience."He's been a really good representative of what we want to do and how we do it.
And we're going to reward guys like that that have that ability," Kelly said.LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan shared some quick praise for Thomas last week, too."I think Zavien's playing better in terms of that area," Sloan said when talking about LSU's wide receivers getting open deep.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Veteran LSU receiver ready to take on bigger role in the LSU offense.
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