Arden Key, back from surgery, is one of the big returnees

LSU reported for preseason camp Sunday short one freshman offensive lineman but with 30 pounds more of Arden Key than when the elite pass rusher was last seen in uniform.

Key, a projected early first-round pick in next NFL year’s draft, sat out spring practice for personal reasons and has been rehabilitating from shoulder surgery this summer.

He was the only player in camp who Oregon was certain would not practice today when drills open, although the new LSU coach expects him back soon.

That would not include incoming freshman offensive lineman Seth Stewart, who apparently has decided not to play college football.

“We don’t know that for sure, but I know that he will not be at camp,” said head coach Ed Orgeron, adding that Stewart will not enroll at LSU. “We wish him the best.”

Orgeron said LSU coaches tried to talk the West Virginia native out of his decision to leave.

Another incoming freshman, defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin, is still finishing an on-line course he needs to be eligible and will have to be cleared by the NCAA to begin practice. Orgeron is hoping that could be as early as next week.

Orgeron is not certain when Key will begin practice — or, for sure, if he’ll be available for the Sept. 2 season opener in Houston against BYU — but did not seem concerned.

“He is just an extraordinary human being,” Orgeron said of Key. “He brings the fire … We have to make sure that we don’t push him too fast.”

Key, who set an LSU record with 12 sacks last season playing at 228 pounds, reported at 260 Sunday — “maybe a little above,” Orgeron said.

“We’ve talked about his playing around 255.”

As usual LSU has a host of starters to replace, including seven on defense.

“There are a lot of question marks going into camp that we have to answer,” Orgeron said. “But we have the talent to answer it. We have the ability to answer it, and we have the coaching staff that is ready to work.”

Orgeron clarified that his policy of closing practices completely to the public and media would be in effect, but only until Aug. 21.

That’s the day fall classes start at LSU and also the day the Tigers will turn their attention to BYU and the opener. As in the past, media will only be allowed in for the beginning of individual drills.

The main reason for the increased early secrecy, Orgeron said, was to get new offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s offense installed in private.

“We have a lot of things that we have to get done offensively. Defensively, we will have new guys going in and out. We wanted that time just to have us and the team.”

Orgeron is anxious to get his first look at incoming freshman quarterback Myles Brennan — but just as excited to see returning starter Danny Etling at full health after back surgery following spring practice.

Coaches weren’t allowed to watch the summer drills, but Etling, who arrived Sunday wearing an “Air Canada” T-shirt (from the airline), has said he feels stronger than at any time since he’s been at LSU.

“I’m excited to see Danny throw full speed,” Orgeron said. “We’ve been hearing this and hearing that. We haven’t seen him throw. I imagine he will be full speed and ready to go.”

Aside from Etling, LSU has no experience at quarterback, one of the reasons the Tigers will scrimmage the next four Saturdays, treating them like NFL preseason games.

Brennan will compete with fellow incoming freshman Lowell Narcisse — who enrolled early and went through spring work — and redshirt freshman Lindsey Scott.

“Hopefully we can get a chance where we can build depth and give guys game time experience,” Orgeron said. “That’s why we’re having preseason games. We’re trying to get them as much game time experience as possible.”

“We will have a lot more walkthroughs. Instead of having just one offense go against one defense we might have an offense vs. defense here and an offense vs. defense there. One day we may put the freshmen together and get them as many reps as we can just to simulate game time situations and see how they perform.”