Byrd says QB pool talented

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Aug 19, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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It makes sense that the LSU receiving corps is as interested as anyone else about exactly who the frontrunner is for the Tigers starting quarterback job.

But if the receivers are worried, they aren’t showing it.

“I like all of our quarterbacks, so it doesn’t matter who it is as long as we’re throwing the ball well,” LSU senior Demetrius Byrd said.

“If you have a great quarterback, that’s a blessing. If you have one who’s young and inexperienced like we do, he just needs to go back there, stay patient and play his game — make the reads and make the best decisions. We have talented players all around the quarterback and whoever it is, all he has to do is go back and pick his poison.”

Byrd is one of those poisons and he has plenty of company among the receivers.

Though LSU lost a third receiver to the NFL draft in two years (eight in seven years) when Early Doucet was taken by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round, Byrd and Brandon LaFell both return after leading the Tigers in receiving yards a year ago.

LaFell snared 50 passes for a team-best 656 yards and four touchdowns, while Byrd pulled down 35 passes for 621 yards and a team-high seven scoring grabs.

Four other receivers are back who caught at least one pass, anchored by sophomore Terrance Toliver (10-249, 3 TDs) and junior Jared Mitchell (13-143) — the two players leading the charge to fill the third receiver spot.

Veterans Chris Mitchell, R.J. Jackson and Ricky Dixon are also in the mix, along with a talented group of freshmen led by Chris Tolliver.

Besides that crew, tight end Richard Dickson is also a steady target after snaring 32 passes for 375 yards and five scores last season.

“We’ve got people coming out of the woodwork and stepping up big time ready to catch the ball,” Byrd said. “We’ve got all kinds of guys who can make plays once the ball is in their hands.”

Byrd is regarded as the Tigers’ fastest true receiver after being clocked as fast as 4.33 in the 40 this summer.