LSU football will be without senior safety Major Burns in the upcoming Texas Bowl against Baylor, marking the end of his LSU career as he prepares for the 2025 NFL Draft. Burns, who transferred to LSU from Georgia in 2021, played a crucial role in the Tigers’ defense this season, recording 49 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. His absence leaves a significant gap, as LSU’s secondary is already thin following several transfer portal departures, including safety Sage Ryan, who also opted out.
With Burns and Ryan sidelined, LSU will rely heavily on younger players like Javien Toviano and DaShawn Spears to fill the void. Toviano, who played 49 snaps as a sophomore, is expected to take on a bigger role, potentially stepping into the STAR position vacated by Burns. Spears, a true freshman and top-100 recruit, played 178 snaps during the regular season and is set to replace Ryan.
The bowl game offers LSU a chance to evaluate its younger players, particularly in the safety position, where depth remains a concern as the Tigers have yet to secure a transfer. The players on the field in this game could be key contributors in 2025, with LSU relying on the safety group to manage pre-snap communication. Earlier in the season, LSU gave the green dot to Ryan for sideline communication, and it remains to be seen if that responsibility will shift to a linebacker for this game.
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