LSU's fall camp is underway, and while many will be looking to see what Sam Leavitt and Lane Kiffin can cook up on offense, there are some important defensive storylines that could shape the 2026 season.
LSU ranked 27th nationally in total defense last season, and if the Tigers want to contend for a national title coming out of the SEC, that will need a lot of improvement. Lane Kiffin grabbed some great players to help the defense along, and here's what we should be watching.
How LSU’s four freshmen on the D-Line fit Into the mix
LSU signed four top 100 prospects on the defensive line: Lamar Brown, Richard Anderson, Deuce Geralds and Trenton Henderson
Geralds stood out during spring so much that you would forget he is a freshman. While the true freshman is somewhat undersized at 6 feet, 280 pounds, he was by far the best defensive lineman during spring camp. A consensus four-star prospect, Geralds is the all-time sack leader in Georgia high school football history.
Brown, the No. 1 defensive lineman in the country, will finally be on campus after enrolling during the summer. He will be making a move to defensive end.
Anderson will get significant reps early, as he performed well in the spring and got a chance to take some first-team reps. Anderson was often regarded as the best defensive line prospect in the country, along with Brown. He was a two-time all-state selection and the Class 5A Most Outstanding Defensive Player his senior season.
Henderson, a Pensacola native, is a consensus four-star prospect who is ranked as high as No. 8 nationally at his position by 247Sports. He could be a sneaky player throughout fall camp and during the season if he plays his cards right.
Does LSU have a weakness coming off the edge?
Outside of Princewill Umanmielen, it’s paramount that LSU find playmakers at defensive end as Gabe Reliford’s injury has highlighted the lack of depth at this position.
Former five-star edge rusher Jordan Ross was brought in from Tennessee as well. He looks the part at 6-5, 245 pounds, but he has yet to show the potential he had coming out of high school.
After that, nobody else has that much playing time or is an incoming freshman, which means bringing heat from the edge could be an issue. That's something to keep an eye on.
Who are the CBs after DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland?
As of right now, the starters at cornerback are sophomore DJ Pickett and junior PJ Woodland.
Pickett is coming off a season where he earned Freshman All-American honors and led LSU with three interceptions last season to go along with 37 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack.
Woodland has consistently been one of the best players in the SEC in pass coverage, allowing only one touchdown. He had nine pass breakups and two interceptions last season.
Now, who are the other cornerbacks who fill the backup roles?
Ja’Keem Jackson has spent much of his career playing for Corey Raymond but has yet to move the needle. Jackson needs a big fall camp to show he can bring something to the table on Saturday nights.
Another player is Michael Turner, who is undersized at just 160 pounds, shown flashes throughout spring camp and will hope to continue to ramp it up during fall camp. Expect to hear or read Turner’s name come up a lot.
Freshmen Havon Finney, Dezyrian Ellis and Emari Peterson could have a go as well.
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