LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. (3) celebrates with LSU wide receiver Aaron Anderson (1) after scoring in the second half of the Tigers' win over the Sooners, Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Tiger Stadium on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge, La.

It's hard to know what to expect from the LSU offense this year.

There are reasons for optimism. One of the top quarterbacks in the country with Garrett Nussmeier. A promising running back. Talent and depth at wide receiver and tight end. Take coach Brian Kelly at his word, and the remade offensive line will play well.

But the offense has looked inconsistent in preseason practice. While that could mean something good about the defense, it has fed offensive concerns. Will the offensive line really hold up? Can the running game be more productive? How much will Nussmeier improve in his second year as a starter? Does LSU have a game-changer on the outside?

Time will tell.

What we do know at this point is who likely will be on the field Aug. 30 in the season opener against Clemson. After 16 practices, here is a projection of the offensive depth chart.

Quarterback

Starter: Garrett Nussmeier (R-Sr.)

Backup: Michael Van Buren (Soph.)

Also: Colin Hurley (R-Fr.)

Nussmeier has played well during the preseason. He has not put the ball in harm's way as much as he did going into his first year as a starter. He also has scrambled at times, showing he may have addressed two of the things he needed to work on the most.

He even practiced Monday without a brace on his left knee for the first time since Kelly said he aggravated a preexisting case of patellar tendinitis on Aug. 6.

With Nussmeier cemented as the starter, LSU has given Van Buren and Hurley time with the second-team offense. Van Buren, who started eight games last season for Mississippi State, has been inconsistent as he learns a new offense, but he shows flashes of talent. It's unclear whether he will have to miss any games with an injury to his throwing hand suffered Saturday in LSU's scrimmage.

Running back

Starter: Caden Durham (Soph.)

Backups: Kaleb Jackson (Jr.) and Harlem Berry (Fr.)

Also: Ju'Juan Johnson (Soph.) and JT Lindsey (Fr.)

Durham could have an All-SEC season if he gets enough blocking, but there are concerns behind him. Jackson needs to play better than he did as a sophomore, and Berry has to be ready to contribute as a freshman. With Lindsey indefinitely suspended, LSU is so thin that Johnson had to play running back again after moving to quarterback in the offseason. Durham could get a large workload.

Wide receiver

Starters: Chris Hilton (R-Sr.), Zavion Thomas (Sr.) and Aaron Anderson (R-Jr.)

Rotation: Nic Anderson (R-Soph.), Barion Brown (Sr.) and Kyle Parker (R-Soph.)

Also: Destyn Hill (R-Soph.), Jelani Watkins (R-Fr.), Kylan Billiot (R-Fr.), Phillip Wright (Fr.) and TaRon Francis (Fr.)

A clear WR1 has not emerged this year, and that may be fine because LSU has two full rotations that it trusts. Kelly described Hilton and Brown as "1A and 1B" in the vertical passing game. Aaron Anderson and Parker will play in the slot. Thomas, who has taken handoffs, can be used in multiple ways. And Nic Anderson is 6-foot-4 with a wide catch radius, making him an ideal target on third down. Nussmeier has a lot of options.

Tight end

Starter: Bauer Sharp (R-Sr.) or Trey'Dez Green (Soph.)

Backup: Donovan Green (R-Jr.)

Also: JD LaFleur (Fr.)

With Sharp and Trey'Dez Green, LSU finally may be able to use 12 personnel. Sharp is the more consistent blocker of the two and has reliable hands. Green is a mismatch in the passing game, especially in the red zone. He also is a willing blocker, but he needs to continue to develop that part of his game. At 6-7, he can have trouble getting leverage.

Left tackle

Starter: Tyree Adams (R-Soph.)

Backup: Carius Curne (Fr.)

After waiting for the past two years behind Will Campbell, Adams will become a full-time starter. No one has challenged him for the job during the offseason. Curne has been the second-team left tackle for most of preseason practice.

Left guard

Starter: DJ Chester (R-Soph.)

Backup: Paul Mubenga (R-Soph.)

Chester and Mubenga continue to compete for the starting role, and Mubenga took first-team reps during a brief media-viewing period Monday morning. Chester has more experience, so we'll give him the nod for now. This could change before the season opener as the battle continues over the next two weeks. Redshirt freshman Coen Echols is also in the mix.

Center

Starter: Braelin Moore (R-Jr.)

Backup: Chester

Though Chester pushed for the job in spring practice, Moore quickly established himself as the starter in preseason camp. Kelly has been impressed by him, even saying last week he thinks the offensive line will play well in part because Moore "sets up the rest of the group for success." Chester, the center last season, is the backup.

Right guard

Starter: Josh Thompson (R-Sr.)

Backup: Coen Echols (R-Fr.)

There has not been much competition at right guard, and now Thompson is in line to start. Though he was inconsistent in preseason camp, Thompson started 21 games over the past two years at Northwestern. He was credited with only two sacks allowed, both of which happened during the 2023 season.

Right tackle

Starter: Weston Davis (R-Fr.)

Backup: Curne OR Ory Williams (R-Fr.)

Things got interesting Monday when Curne got reps with the first-team offense. It was the first time that reporters had seen Curne, a top-100 recruit, play right tackle this preseason. Still, Davis is the more likely option after practicing with the starters most of the offseason. After appearing in four games last year, he would make his first career start.