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One of the most underrated groups of the 2023 Tiger football team was likely the offensive line. Despite being one of the most impressive units in the country, it was rarely talked about, but new starting LSU football center DJ Chester has made it clear that 2024 is going to be different.
New starting LSU football center has some lofty goals for the 2024 offensive line
When it comes to returning talent, few, if any offensive line groups compare to that of LSU ahead of the 2024 season. Coming off a campaign in which their unit was named a finalist for the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in the country, the Tigers are set to return both of their offensive guards and offensive tackles.
Additionally, with former high four-star class of 2023 recruit DJ Chester expected to take over as the new LSU football center in 2024, they’re in an excellent spot.
As the purple and gold continue to work through spring practices, the media had the opportunity to speak with the soon-to-be true sophomore, and to say he’s excited for his chance to start would be an understatement.
“It’s been fun,” Chester began. “I’ve had a lot of learning to do in the first couple spring practices, but I’m just trying to step up into Charles (Turner III)’s place and help be a leader.”
LSU’s Charles Turner with a snatch-and-trap to win this rep at the Senior Bowl. One of my favorite IOL prospects. pic.twitter.com/wGv6dHnZrp
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 31, 2024
Heading into 2024 as a redshirt freshman, Chester didn’t exactly get too many opportunities to see the field in his first year with the program, but when he did, he certainly made the most of it. Logging 81 total snaps through four games, it’s likely that coach Brian Kelly knew he would be the eventual starter and wanted to get him some in-game experience.
Notably, that extra experience could end up paying off in a major way. When looking ahead to 2024, he didn’t waste any time talking about getting used to a starting role. Instead, he immediately dove into some lofty goals for the entire unit.
“Going into this year – in the weight room we have ‘Joe Moore’ on every rack for the offensive line, so every time we lift, every time we do something, we’re imaging that we’re gonna go get it,” the McDonough, GA, product continued. “Losing the Joe Moore (Award) last year really hurt us. It really stung us. So that’s why we really want to go get it to prove to everybody out there that we deserved it last year. So that’s why we’re gonna go get it this year.”
Entering the new season as by far the youngest expected starter on offense, DJ Chester has some big shoes to fill in his redshirt freshman season. Still, officially being listed at 6-foot-6, 318 pounds, he’s a beast with offensive tackle level agility. Now, it’s just a matter of seeing that confidence translate onto the football field this spring.
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