LSU Football: WR Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr. Off To Historic Start

LSU is off to a historic start on offense despite the Tigers falling to 3-2 after a heartbreaking loss to Ole Miss in Week 5.

Led by Jayden Daniels and his wide receiver tandem of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr, this unit is clicking on all cylinders as we reach the midway point of the 2023 season.

It's no secret the LSU defense has been abysmal, taking light away from the stellar play of the offense, but this unit is on pace to rewrite the record books in a few categories.

Brian Kelly and those within the LSU program are aware of what's transpiring on the offensive side of the ball. 

There will likely never be an offense that resembles that of Joe Burrow's 2019 juggernaut of a group, but this unit is certainly looking to be second in line. 

“The 2019 team was prolific and won a national championship. These numbers are starting to look like those numbers. That’s the kind of offense that we are talking about,” Kelly said on Monday. “That’s why it’s so darn important to play better defense, because when you have an offense like this you want to be able to showcase it. 

"It doesn’t get the showcase because of all the questions here about the defense, and I understand that. That’s why we have to do the things necessary to get the points down and play better defense.” 

The passing game has stolen the show this season with the one-two punch of Nabers and Thomas Jr. as they carve up defenses on a routine basis.

Nabers: 40 catches, 625 yards, 5 TD 

Thomas: 33 catches, 537 yards, 8 TD 

Total: 73 catches, 1,162 yards, 13 TD 

Those numbers make them the top wide receiver duo in the nation, and despite this, it's been relatively swept under the rug due to a 3-2 start. 

For LSU's QB1, it's the same story. Jayden Daniels has been on a tear through five weeks. There were questions about his ability to push the ball down the field. There were questions in his decision-making. There were questions in trusting his arm.

Through five weeks, he's answered every single one of them. He's advanced in the deep ball. He's thrived in his decision-making. There's been balance in utilizing his legs when necessary.

Daniels is second in the country in total offense with 2,002 yards, only trailing Washington signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. who's up to 2,008 total yards. 

Brian Kelly shared his thoughts on the offense during Monday's presser:

“It’s No. 1 in total offense. It’s No. 1 in pass offense. It’s No. 1 in third down conversion. It’s No. 2 in scoring. It’s No. 3 in rush offense," Kelly said. "Jayden Daniels leads the SEC and ranked No. 2 in the nation in total offense, leads the SEC in total touchdowns and passing, pass efficiency and passing touchdowns, and it’s the fourth-straight game accounting for at least four touchdowns. Brian Thomas leads the nation in receiving [touchdowns]."