LSU fans are fired up for the future of this position group under Lane Kiffin

When Lane Kiffin was officially announced as the next head coach of the LSU Football program, Tiger fans immediately wondered about the potential of LSU's offense. Kiffin has worked wonders on the offensive side of the ball throughout his coaching career, which includes leading the Ole Miss Rebels to become one of the highest-scoring teams in all of college football over the last several seasons.

LSU set to lose key defensive playmaker to the transfer portal

While there is plenty to be excited about offensively, LSU fans should also be fired up about the potential of the Tiger defensive line under Kiffin. Going into the 2026 season, LSU is tasked with replacing six of its top seven pass rushers from this past season. Kiffin is sure to dip into the transfer portal, but LSU boasts an incredible recruiting class full of elite talent on the defensive front.

LSU's defensive line has serious potential under Lane Kiffin in 2026

Be securing official commitments from 5-star Richard Anderson and 4-star Deuce Geralds, Kiffin signed two of the top three defensive line prospects in the country during the Early Signing Period. That alone is reason enough for Tiger fans to be amped up.

Kiffin also kept No. 1 overall prospect and No. 1 athlete Lamar Brown on board, which was a massive win for Kiffin during his first week on the job. Brown plans to play on the defensive line in Baton Rouge, which takes the potential of LSU's defensive line to another level. In total, that means that the Tigers walked out of the Early Signing Period by signing three of the top four rated prospects slated to play DL in the 2026 class.

Young DL talent at LSU has elite potential

Anderson and Brown made LSU fans sweat a little bit by initially delaying their signings. However, both wound up putting pen to paper last week during the Early Signing Period to officially become Tigers.

The youth movement on LSU's defensive line is real, and it's quite possible that Brown, Anderson, and Geralds all contribute early and often in 2026. However, that doesn't mean Kiffin won't explore the transfer portal as well.

Kiffin thrived at utilizing the transfer portal at Ole Miss, and figures to browse his options when it comes to bringing in more playmakers on the defensive line. The incoming freshmen will be exciting to watch, but it couldn't hurt to bring in some more experienced difference-makers to give LSU well-rounded depth up front.