The focus of the offseason is slowly shifting from the transfer portal and roster retention to building the 2026 recruiting class. This week has been filled with LSU's coaching staff handing out offers to targets in the 2026 recruiting class as the staff narrows in on new top targets. As the 2026 recruiting class looks to begin taking shape, three positions stand out as LSU's biggest positions of need in the class.
3. Quarterback
One of the ripple effects from Bryce Underwood flipping to Michigan was that it meant LSU had to pursue a Quarterback in the 2026 recruiting class. In the Summer, LSU was a finalist for several top quarterbacks in the class but, having Bryce Underwood on board blocked everyone's path to playing time.
This Summer, LSU was a finalist for Faizon Brandon, Jonas Williams, and Dia Bell who committed to Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas. As LSU now has a clearer path to playing time the Tigers will likely circle back and push for a flip. Joe Sloan's latest offer went to Arizona State Quarterback Jake Fette as schools start to push for Fette making him a player to eye for LSU.
The quarterback position isn't the biggest need for the Tigers as LSU does have Michael Van Buren and Colin Hurley who both just finished up their freshman seasons.
2. Wide Receiver
No matter who LSU has at the wide receiver position the Tigers will always seemingly be okay as the receivers continue to develop for the Tigers. This past recruiting cycle, LSU only signed two wide receivers meaning you'll likely see LSU push for a bigger recruiting class at receiver. The Tigers could lose any combination of Barion Brown, Nic Anderson, Aaron Anderson, Chris Hilton Jr, and Destyn Hill following next season to the draft which further leads into the position being a need.
The LSU Football team already has two In-State Wide Receivers on board in four-stars Kenny Darby and Jakai Anderson.
After Darby and Anderson, there are a few top receivers to keep an eye on for the LSU Football team. Destrehan's Jabari Mack is atop that list as an In-State receiver from a school that LSU has done well at keeping the players In-State. Mack is the 78th ranked player in the class and the 14th ranked wide receiver. The Tigers are also pushing for several Out of State receivers which will make it a fun position to watch this Spring.
1. Safety
This entire offseason, LSU has looked in the transfer portal to find SEC Caliber safeties yet, they haven't been able to find any. In the 2026 Recruiting Class, LSU needs to find safeties to stock up the room with players who will have a chance to play right away and with pieces that can develop. The good news for LSU is that two of the top safeties are in Louisiana and LSU will have the inside track at landing both.
The Fifth Ranked safety in the Class is Edna Karr's Aiden Hall who committed to LSU back in August. Hall is the 5th ranked safety in the Class, the 38th-ranked recruit in the country, and the 4th-ranked player out of Louisiana meaning he's a high-end recruit.
The Top Ranked safety in the Class is Catholic safety Blaine Bradford out of Baton Rouge. The Tigers should have the inside track in Bradford's recruitment not only because they're the home school but, because they signed Blaine's brother Jacob Bradford in the 2025 recruiting cycle as a defensive back.
LSU has offered 22 safeties in the 2026 recruiting class showing how big of a need the position is for LSU.