Battles, Magee headline 2024 LSWA Class 1A All-State girls, boys basketball teams
SPORTS

Karl Malone's son K.J. has remained at No. 1 LT for LSU

GLENN GUILBEAU
USA TODAY Network

BATON ROUGE — If No. 6 LSU and Wisconsin kicked off today from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Karl Malone Jr. would be posting up at left tackle on the Tigers’ first offensive play.

Better known as K.J., Malone caught a break that was unfortunate for teammate Maea Teuhema as practice began more than two weeks ago as Teuhema was sidelined with an injured ankle and is just now getting back up to speed. The son of NBA great Karl "The Mailman" Malone and a fourth-year junior out of Cedar Creek High in Ruston, Malone moved to No. 1 at left tackle and has not let go.

LSU coach Les Miles listed Malone as his No. 1 left tackle on Saturday night after a scrimmage in Tiger Stadium.

The elder Malone happened to be at practice on Wednesday and met with some reporters, but he passed off when one of the first questions was to him while his son stood next to him.

“Well, you should start off with him,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just a dad. He’s the one playing.”

And running with the first team after sitting out his true freshman season in 2013 as a redshirt and playing as a reserve the last two seasons.

Teuhema, the No. 1 guard in the nation out of Keller, Texas, in 2015, was LSU’s starting left guard for 11 games last season. But he was moved to left tackle, and he could still win that job back.

“The injury set him back,” Miles said. “He’s really getting over the hump right now. But K.J. has really done a good job.”

Miles said the rest of his No. 1 offensive line with less than two weeks until the Sept. 3 opener at Lambeau against Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. on ABC has sophomore William Clapp at left guard, senior Ethan Pocic at center, senior Josh Boutte of New Iberia at right guard and sophomore Toby Weathersby at right tackle.

Other linemen who could see playing time are sophomore guard Garrett Brumfield and redshirt freshman tackle Chidi Okeke.

“I feel great with all the veterans because during the summer workouts we all felt something that we haven’t felt in a while, and it feels good,” the younger Malone said.

K.J. Malone in no way feels he has won the job yet. “I can see myself playing a lot this year, but I want Coach (Jeff) Grimes to put the best five out there. That’s all that matters,” he said.

Either way, dad, who knows something about starting fives, is proud.

“As a parent, we get excited when they play, but you know we watch every play and we just want them to be OK every play,” said Karl Malone, who became the NBA’s No. 2 leading scorer in history with 36,928 points from 1985 through 2003 after playing at Louisiana Tech.

“It’s been neat to watch the group they have,” he said. “And like he said, whatever the best five in the situation that’s going to be out there. But I’m more proud of him that he just stayed the course and didn’t get down and continued to work his butt off. It’s been really neat.”

FOURNETTE ON THE MEND: Star tailback Leonard Fournette did not participate in the scrimmage Saturday as he remains out with a minor sprained ankle suffered last Tuesday. The prognosis is good, though.

“I think he plays this week,” Miles said when asked when Fournette may return to practice.

TRAVIN DURAL OUT: Senior starting wide receiver Travin Dural was held out of the scrimmage Saturday with what Miles termed a “nick.” Miles expected Dural back very soon.

SCRIMMAGE: Fullback Darrell Williams was among the most impressive players, Miles said, during a closed scrimmage Saturday afternoon in Tiger Stadium that was moved toward the end to the indoor facility because of lightning. The Tigers got in a little than 100 plays.

“Darrel Williams had a helluva day,” said Miles, but he did not have any rushing statistics on the junior from New Orleans. Williams, who plays tailback and fullback, got more work than usual with Fournette out.

“It was really very productive overall,” Miles said. “Good day.”

Miles casually estimated some statistics.

“We threw the ball 20 times, threw for 200 yards,” he said. “Probably both the first (Brandon Harris) and second team (Danny Etling) guys were in the high percentage — about 65 percent. Rushing, we rushed for 200. A number of guys had some nice carries.”

Miles said the quarterbacks spread the ball around to 10 receivers.

VALENTINE DOMINATES: Sophomore transfer nose guard Travonte Valentine continues to be a force after just joining the team a week ago.

“He ran extremely well at the end of practice,” Miles said. “He seems very physical, very difficult to block. Not a guy you want to have one guy block.”

(Coverage of LSU and commentary by Glenn Guilbeau supported by Hebert’s Town & Country Auto Dealer in Shreveport located at 1155 East Bert Kouns Loop. Research your next Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram at http://hebertstandc.com/.)