The LSU defense has been much improved from last season and is a big reason why the Tigers are 4-0 and ranked as the No. 4 team in the country. LSU has allowed just 37 points through four games so far this season, which ranks 12th in the country. Impact transfers such as CB Mansoor Delane and S AJ Haulcy have emerged as stars, while LB Whit Weeks and STAR Harold Perkins Jr continue to be elite playmakers. The pass rush has also been solid, racking up 11 sacks.
However, the LSU defense got some unfortunate news this week when it was announced that it will be without a key depth contributor for the remainder of the season.
Gabriel Reliford injury update
Brian Kelly has announced that sophomore DE Gabriel Reliford is out for the season with a torn rotator cuff. He is set to have surgery next week. Reliford suffered the injury in the first quarter in LSU's Week 4 matchup against Southeastern Louisiana when he made a tackle for loss on SELU RB Deantre Jackson. After the play, Reliford immediately reached for his right shoulder and jogged off the field to receive medical attention. He made his way to the locker room and did not return to the field. He totalted three tackles (two solo) against the Lions before exiting the game.
It's a tough break for Reliford, who has been a steady contributor on LSU's pass rush. He put together a great camp which earned him some rotational snaps early on this season. Through four games he racked up eight tackles with four solo tackles. According to PFF, Reliford was third on the team in snaps before going down against SELU.
Reliford steadily improved last season as a true freshman, finishing the year with 10 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. He ended the season by playing a career-high 44 snaps in LSU's Texas Bowl win over Baylor. He was on his way to improving again in 2025, but unfortuantely his sophomore campaign has been cut short. The Shreveport native is eligible for a medical redshirt.
Along with Jack Pyburn, Patrick Payton, and Jimari Butler, the Tigers have a wealth of talent up front on the defensive front. The defense as a whole has its toughest test of the season on deck with a road visit to Ole Miss on Saturday. Blake Baker needs to have his group ready from the jump, as Ole Miss is among the highest-scoring offenses in the country.