I had heard that the former defensive lineman was 1st team on either this board or another and was skeptical, but it appears to be true according to DD. I realize that when Arnold returns he could be the odd man out, but it is still quite stunning to me. How often does a defensive player buried on the depth chart go to the offensive side of the ball and almost immediately contend for a starting job. Most of the time he merely adds depth to his new position. Sometimes it signals the end of his career at LSU and he transfers out the following year. I know we have had successful position switches before, but it is still surprising. Especially when you just look at his listing at 6-2, 285 which is shorter and lighter than almost everyone we have on the OL.
Sometimes a player is just out of position and then blooms when the coaches put them in the right place. We've had reserve defensive linemen become starters on offense before. Offensive linemen have to be smart and disciplined while defensive linemen have to be intuitive and reactive. A smaller, lighter guard may be what LSU needs. With Big Herm inside last year, nobody was going to run over him in pass protection. But none of our big 300 pound linemen were quick enough to pull and get out in front of a running back consistently to spring the run.
Even if Arnold comes back and takes his place, Arnold isn't the healthiest of guys and he may well have to step in. I also saw in an article that Miles said the OL could change tommorrow, so I guess it is still very much in the air. With Keiland and now the addition of Richard Murphy I would like to see more sweeps. They are both fast and Murphy has some moves. I know Keiland turned in a very fast 40 at Hargrove. Of course the addition of one 285 lb guard pulling means you could only sweep one way!:lol: :lol: :lol: I also don't really know how fast Hitt is, just because he is light, he could be slow too. I believe it was the Auburn game last year where our line just looked tentative and slow pulling for sweeps, but I attributed that to it being early in the year.
According to Rivals he runs a 4.96 forty http://collegefootball.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=27304
Lyle Hitt went to my highschool (Parkview Baptist in Baton Rouge.) The kid is talented. He's been huge ever since I met him at 16, I thought he was like 24. He definately has the quickness you need with your hands and I am not surprised to hear that he is making this jump so quick. I wish him the best and hope he continues to work hard and if he does I think he's got a shot to start.
And that's an aspect that football seems to have moved away from. I love watching a pulling guard take out 1-3 defenders while a shifty running back jukes-n-jives his way down the field.
I thought he had an old looking face when he came out of high school also. His scout pictures looked like he had a heavy beard and he looked very mature. When I saw what his height and weight were I was concerned a little because I thought he may have already peaked athletically.
