LSU is only two days into fall camp, but a few early patterns are already taking shape as the Tigers ease into a season that comes with plenty of buzz and a revamped coaching staff in Baton Rouge.
The work on Thursday looked pretty routine on the surface. Lane Kiffin kept things simple, much like he did in Oxford last season, with LSU going through standard individual and position-group drills instead of anything flashy this early in camp.
Even so, the talent on the roster is starting to sort itself out. In crowded rooms, a few names are already separating from the pack, while the newcomers are settling in and giving the Tigers a clearer picture of what this team could become.
Running back is one of the most interesting spots to watch. Kiffin brought in Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones this season, and the sophomore is already pushing into the conversation alongside veterans Caden Durham and Harlem Berry.
Durham and Berry have both taken over starting jobs in their seasons with LSU, giving the offense a steady option on the ground against SEC defenses. But through the first two days, Jones has looked like the back setting the pace. He’s been first in individual drills, with Durham second and Berry third, a small detail that says plenty about how competitive that room already is.
The receiver group also looks far different from the one LSU had earlier this offseason. Phillip Wright III was the lone veteran left before the portal additions arrived, and those new faces have quickly given the Tigers the outside options they needed.
Through two days, the wideouts have looked comfortable working with the rotating quarterbacks, showing it on both deeper routes and quicker catches before using their speed to get downfield. Sam Leavitt connected with Ole Miss transfer Winston Watkins Jr., who is already flashing his burst along the sideline, and also hit Old Dominion transfer Tre Brown on a long pass.
That kind of early chemistry matters, and LSU seems to be building it quickly on the perimeter. With Leavitt finding comfort with his outside targets, the Tigers appear to have real options to lean on in the passing game.
There’s also a new look in the secondary. With star cornerback Mansoor Delane off to the 2026 NFL Draft, LSU had a major hole to fill at cornerback.
DJ Pickett is still in the room, and he’s already leading the way in camp while wearing No. 5.
Freshman Havon Finney Jr. is also making noise. He’s been right behind Pickett in individual drills, showing the kind of strength and quickness needed to stay with him.
It’s still very early, and day two is hardly the time to lock anything in. But LSU has already started revealing which players are pushing forward as camp opens up.
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LSU Freshmen Are Already Turning Up The Heat In Fall Camp
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Freshman defensive end Lamar Brown was among the players drawing attention with notable plays, and freshman Jhase Thomas has already moved into a starting role at safety ahead of junior Tamarcus Cooley. There is still plenty of camp left, of course, and the backup quarterback race remains a work in progress as Husan Longstreet and Landen Clark keep trying to clean up their accuracy, but LSU is already getting an early glimpse of how quickly some newcomers can push their way into the picture. [Read more 🡒]
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LSU Faces A Crucial 5-Star Battle On Two Recruiting Fronts
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The other front is just as delicate. Five-star tight end commit Ahmad Hudson has been hearing from Nebraska, and the longer that outside pressure lingers, the more important LSUs own relationship management becomes. Hudsons situation also hints at the balancing act inside Baton Rouge, where football recruiting is competing for attention as the staff continues building out the basketball roster, and that can leave even a committed player looking for steadier contact. [Read more 🡒]