Top Louisiana offensive performers from LSU’s first skills camp

Approximately 1,400 student athletes visited LSU for the program’s first summer camps since winning the 2019 national championship Jan. 13, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic scrapped the typical 2020 offseason and limited coaches and players to fully virtual recruitments. So both the recruiters and recruits have opened the summer as enthusiastic and hungry as ever to make their mark. And the lineman camp and skills camp the first weekend of the month — each held by the Tigers in conjunction with staffs from all their fellow in-state programs — produced a slew of good performances. Here are a couple notes on a dozen of the best. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138439" first="Omarion" last="Miller"] — 6-2, 195 WR — North Caddo (2023)</strong> The high-flying standout was among the biggest talking points leaving the weekend after ending the morning session with an acrobatic catch over tight coverage that garnered a scholarship offer within a matter of seconds. The North Caddo wide receiver has exploded onto the recruiting radar this spring and may only be picking up steam now that college coaches can see him in person. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128245" first="Landon" last="Ibieta"] — 6-0, 190 WR — Mandeville (2022)</strong> Another stock-rising wide receiver this spring, Ibieta started the day slowly after a last-minute arrival on a packed, rainy day provided little time to loosen up. But when action resumed after lunch, the Mandeville star was the prospect that generated more buzz than anyone with a dominant one-on-one session in which no defensive back coaches threw his way could deny him catches up, down, across and all over the field. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128243" first="DeColdest" last="Crawford"] — 6-2, 170 WR — Green Oaks (2022)</strong> The 2022 LSU commitment was able to break himself free from several of the event’s top cornerbacks and out-battled one defender deep in the end zone for another memorable scoring reception. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136508" first="Curtis" last="Deville"] — 6-0, 180 WR — Iowa (2022)</strong> One of the more underrated prospects on hand made a few impressive catches in tight coverage down the sideline and in the end zone to cement himself among the weekend’s top receiving performances. <strong>Zavion Thomas — 5-11, 190 WR — John Ehret (2022)</strong> Thomas opened eyes before prospects even began drills with his 4.32-second 40-yard dash during morning testing. And when one-on-ones finally arrived, he used that speed and quickness to cut all over the field for receptions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138486" first="Rickie" last="Collins"] — 6-3, 180 QB — Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) (2023)</strong> The Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) star has been one of Louisiana’s fastest-rising names since offers finally started rolling in in February. And he used the opportunity to show why, showcasing his big arm on several well-placed deep balls to the end zone. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127700" first="Walker" last="Howard"] — 6-1, 185 QB — St. Thomas More (2022)</strong> The Tigers’ quarterback commitment for the 2022 class made a clear emphasis on working with tight end commitment Jake Johnson, from Georgia, and continue to build the chemistry with his future teammate. The athletic weapon can be a best friend and safety blanket to any passer, but Howard also did a good job throwing Johnson and other targets open from coverage. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127701" first="Landry" last="Lyddy"] — 6-0, 190 WR — Calvary Baptist (2022)</strong> The Louisiana Tech commitment didn’t garner as much attention from LSU as Collins or Howard, but showed once again why he’s one of Louisiana’s top 2022 quarterbacks making good decisions and throwing the ball all over the field with accuracy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138467" first="Trey" last="Holly"] — 5-9, 180 RB — Union Parish (2023)</strong> Fresh off a sophomore season of eye-popping numbers on the ground, the undersized, but speedy running back looked smooth as a receive with more of an opportunity to showcase that skillset than his high school system would ever utilize. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127856" first="Trevor" last="Etienne"] — 5-10, 210 RB — Jennings (2022)</strong> The rising senior may have been the top performer at the position with a good combination of size and speed and and impressive skillset as a receiver catching balls out of the backfield, in traffic and even deep down the sideline for long scores. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138469" first="Arnold" last="Barnes"] — 5-11, 190 RB — Booker T. Washington (New Orleans) (2023)</strong> A bit of a debut opportunity for the young running back proved fruitful with a Louisiana Tech offer and the attention of some Power Five programs, such as Kentucky, Louisville and Memphis eager to have him visit them soon. The young back ran hard, moved well and showed confidence in working out of the backfield. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136487" first="Javonnie" last="Gibson"] — 6-3, 205 ATH — Opelousas (2022)</strong> Gibson made a few nice catches downfield to show why even some SEC programs are starting to monitor him. The biggest question will be how he develops physically as somewhat of a wide receiver/tight end "tweener" at the moment.