LSU freshmen for USC fans to watch in Week 1 college football showdown

USC versus LSU. It doesn’t get much bigger for a Week 1 college football game. If you’re a Trojan fan who is trying to get a fuller sense of what the Tigers bring to the table, keep your eyes on three LSU freshmen coach Brian Kelly discussed at SEC media days. LSU Tigers Wire has more on the story:

At SEC Media Days on Monday, coach Brian Kelly identified three true freshmen who could make a Day 1 impact at LSU: defensive tackle Dominick McKinley, defensive end Gabriel Reliford and receiver Jelani Watkins.

“We have some freshmen that I think are poised and ready to play,” Brian Kelly said, per On3. “We’ve got a defensive tackle in Dom McKinley. We’ve got a defensive end in Gabe Reliford. We’ve got a wide receiver in Jelani Watkins, who is maybe one of the fastest players in the country, that I think are poised, based on our summer workouts, that I think can contribute right away. And that’s just to say a few guys.”

McKinley is an understandable choice. A five-star prospect and the top player in Louisiana last cycle, it was a big recruiting win for the staff to flip him from Texas A&M last winter. Reliford could also see some action on a defensive line that lacks depth, and LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who was also in Dallas for SEC Media Days, also spoke highly of him.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. Follow our newest sites, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.

Check out more NFL draft coverage with the USA TODAY Sports NFL Draft Hub.