Les Miles: LSU defensive end Jermauria Rasco out for spring

Potential All-SEC defensive end Jermauria Rasco will likely miss all of spring practice after shoulder surgery, Les Miles said.

Jermauria Rasco is hoping for a big 2014. (USATSI)

If LSU is to return to the top of the SEC West pile for the first time since 2011, it will need a huge senior season from its leading 2013 pass rusher, potential All-SEC defensive end Jermauria Rasco. But Rasco's 2014 isn't going to get off to a quick start after Les Miles revealed Saturday that the Shreveport, La., native will likely miss the Tigers' spring camp in the wake of shoulder surgery.

Per NOLA.com, Miles said the procedure aimed to "clean out" Rasco's left shoulder, the same joint which kept Rasco out for much of the Tigers' 2013 spring practice.

"If we can get him back late [in spring]," Miles said, "it might be worth it, but not likely."

Rasco led the Tigers with four sacks in 2013, one of seven LSU players with two or more in a widely balanced pass rush unit. But that unit reaching its ceiling in 2014 will depend heavily on Rasco, the former top-100 overall recruit who apprenticed for two seasons under the likes of Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo before getting his first starting role in 2013.

Miles had several other pieces of personnel business to relate, telling reporters that the team's quarterback battle to replace Zach Mettenberger will be between sophomore (and favorite) Anthony Jennings, redshirt freshman Hayden Rettig, and true freshman Brandon Harris.

Former Penn State quarterback transfer Rob Bolden took snaps at the Tigers' opening spring practice at wide receiver.

Miles also said starting safety Corey Thompson may also miss spring camp after knee surgery towards the end of the 2013 season.