LSU Spring Recap
Anthony Parker • April 27, 2026
Spring Practice was Vital for this LSU team, and they were able to make the most of it.
Lane Kiffin arrived in Baton Rouge in December with one mission: restore football greatness at LSU. Most anticipated that immediate results would follow, but not the tsunami-style waves he created throughout the transfer portal process. Kiffin was able to secure commitments from multiple players who ranked among the best at their respective positions in the portal. He also landed three of the top ten quarterbacks in the portal. He came to LSU and completely rebuilt the offensive line and wide receiver rooms. Because of the immediate success seen in the portal, the fanbase lit up with excitement and passion. The countdown toward spring practice began almost immediately once the portal closed and the roster was finalized. Let’s also not forget the elite-level talent he secured from the high school ranks within a matter of days. The roster is stacked, excitement is at a fever pitch, and anticipation for the home opener against Clemson is through the roof. But no matter how much talent the roster holds, Kiffin still has to ensure it all comes together.
That’s the benefit of spring football—a new team, a new coaching staff, and a brand-new environment. The defensive side of the ball has plenty of key returning players and retained the majority of its staff, with the exception of the defensive tackle coach. For that role, Blake Baker brought in Sterling Lucas from the University of South Carolina. One of the biggest weaknesses on defense was the lack of pressure from the edge. Lucas will definitely help improve that, but it won’t be just him. LSU secured the services of Jordan Ross, a former five-star edge rusher out of high school who initially attended Tennessee before transferring to LSU this offseason. LSU did not stop there. Kiffin was able to bring in a few of his former Ole Miss players, including the team leader in sacks, Princewill Umanmielen. Ross and Umanmielen are expected to be the starting edge rushers, and throughout spring, they did not fail to impress.
Because of key additions like them, along with safety Ty Benefield and SEC-leading tackler and former Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery, the defense jumped out early and held an advantage over the offense. Fans should not be surprised by how well the defensive back room performed or by the expectations placed on them. It will be hard to find a defensive back group in the country that can match this one player for player. DJ Pickett, even as a true sophomore, looks ready to take the next step toward becoming the next great player to come out of DBU. Ty Benefield would surprise no one if he becomes an All-American and contends for the Jim Thorpe Award. LSU has two veteran linebackers leading the group in Whit Weeks and TJ Dottery. Weeks spent most of spring doing light work on the side, which is understandable. He’s a senior in his third year in the defense, so he knows what he is doing. Rest is more valuable for him at this stage.
As for Dottery, he flashed—a lot. His athleticism and ability to quickly diagnose plays showed consistently in practice. He has the ability to run sideline to sideline, make proper coverage adjustments, and impact plays at a high level. Linebackers with this level of ability help complete the defense and properly support the front seven. Speaking of the front, this may be the only area of concern on the defense. LSU secured commitments from what could arguably be one of the best high school defensive line classes ever. Lamar Brown, a five-star athlete capable of playing multiple positions along the defensive front, will contribute early despite not participating in spring due to enrollment timing. Trenton Henderson, a four-star prospect, showed flashes and will see action, though he may not be relied on as heavily as others.
Richard Anderson, a five-star defensive tackle and the top-ranked player at his position, made an immediate impact. He consistently rotated with the starting group and showcased strength, quickness, and elite explosiveness for his size. While he still needs to refine his technique and pad level, he will be an important piece moving forward. Deuce Geralds, another highly rated four-star prospect from Georgia, has also impressed. While he may not have the same size as Anderson or Brown, his strength, quickness, and work ethic are setting him apart. He has consistently worked with the starters and made plays in practice, even seeing time in select offensive packages.
A recurring theme along the interior defensive line is the reliance on true freshmen. While the edge room is experienced, the defensive tackle group lacks that same level of experience. LSU added two transfers from Power Four programs and returned a starter from last season. However, returning starter Dom McKinley has not shown the level of progression expected from a third-year player. Malik Blocton and Stephiylan Green, on the other hand, have shown why they were brought in. The defense will be very good, but depth at defensive back and defensive line remains a concern. As long as health is not an issue, this unit will be one of the best in the country.
Now for the side of the ball everyone is watching: the offense. In one word—everything has changed. The running back room feels familiar, but expect a surprising name to emerge. Everyone knows Caden Durham and Harlem Berry, but Dilin Jones is a name to watch. Jones, a transfer from Wisconsin, has quickly risen up the depth chart. He makes smart decisions behind the line of scrimmage, runs through arm tackles, picks up blitzes in pass protection, and has the power to gain tough yards. He has been one of the standouts of spring practice. While Durham and Berry will still get touches, don’t be surprised if Jones gets more than expected. When you think of a Lane Kiffin offense, think of the Reggie Bush and LenDale White USC offense—this is the type of rotation LSU could have.
At tight end, it starts and ends with Trey’Dez Green. He is a matchup nightmare, and Kiffin has been creative in finding ways to exploit defenses using him. The wide receiver room is completely revamped and extremely explosive. Most of the new additions average well over 15 yards per reception. While breaking down every player could be an article of its own, a few names stand out. Winnie Watkins, who followed Kiffin from Ole Miss, has made plays early due to his familiarity with the system and his smooth route running. Tre Wilson, a former five-star recruit from Florida, has showcased explosiveness, route-running ability, and strong hands. Jackson Harris from Hawaii adds size and deep-threat ability. Jayce Brown from Kansas State can beat press coverage and stretch the field. Malik Elzy, a 6’4” transfer from Illinois, brings size, quickness, and a strong catch radius. Other names to watch include Philip Wright, Roman Mothershed, and Trey Brown.
The offensive line was the group that needed the most improvement, and it has been completely rebuilt. LSU added Jordan Setton, the top-rated offensive tackle in the portal, who has secured the starting left tackle position. Alou Bah will start at right guard after transferring from Maryland. Returning players Braelin Moore (center), Weston Davis (right tackle), and Bo Bordelon (left guard) round out the line. Coaching additions have also played a major role, with James Cregg and Eric Wolford bringing immediate improvement to the run-blocking unit.
Finally, LSU landed quarterback Sam Leavitt, the top overall player in the transfer portal from Arizona State. Leavitt has strong mobility, a powerful arm, and the ability to create plays when things break down. The concern is that he missed most of spring recovering from a Lisfranc injury. He participated in limited 7-on-7 work, but that was it. Meanwhile, Husan Longstreet and Landon Clark split reps. Longstreet, a former five-star recruit, brings strong arm talent and mobility but can make poor decisions at times. Clark, a transfer from Elon, has shown flashes but lacks consistency. Both quarterbacks have upside but need more experience.
As mentioned earlier, the defense dominated early in spring, but as time went on and players became more comfortable in the system, things began to balance out. By the end of spring, the offense was making big plays both in the run and passing game. The offense’s ability to compete against such a talented defense shows that iron sharpens iron. Lane Kiffin, as great of an offensive mind as he is, has never had the opportunity to prepare against a defense this talented or a coordinator like Blake Baker. This offense will make the defense better, and once Leavitt returns and finds his rhythm, the true potential of this team will be realized. Excitement around LSU is justified. This team has the talent and coaching to reach its goals, and seeing it begin to come together is proof that they are on the right track.
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LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.