LSU football has undergone a serious facelift heading into 2026. With Lane Kiffin now at the helm and a staggering 40 new transfers joining the program, there’s no shortage of fresh faces in Baton Rouge.
The arrival of quarterback Sam Leavitt and a retooled coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., has generated plenty of buzz - and rightfully so. But amid all the excitement about what’s new, it’s worth remembering that one of LSU’s most dangerous weapons is already on the roster.
That would be Trey’Dez Green - the 6-foot-7, 240-pound tight end who turned heads last season and is poised to become an even bigger problem for defenses in 2026. A former basketball standout, Green has quickly evolved into one of the most physically gifted and productive tight ends in the college game. And now, with Kiffin and Weis designing the offense, his role is expected to grow even further.
Green was recently named to On3’s Way-Too-Early 2026 All-America team, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s coming off a season where he caught 11 touchdown passes - a number that stands out even more when you consider how inconsistent LSU’s offense was at times.
In the red zone, Green wasn’t just a go-to option - he was the option. When everything else stalled, tossing it up to No. 14 became the Tigers’ most reliable scoring play.
Chris Low noted that Green is likely thrilled with the new offensive brain trust, and it’s easy to understand why. Kiffin and Weis have a long track record of maximizing matchup nightmares, and Green fits that bill to a tee. With his size, catch radius, and basketball background, he’s a walking mismatch - too big for corners, too fast for linebackers, and too polished for safeties to handle one-on-one.
Statistically, Green’s production stacks up with the best in the country. Only Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq - a projected first-rounder in the upcoming NFL Draft - had more touchdown catches among Power Four tight ends last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Green also recorded the second-most contested catches at the position, with 12 - a testament to both his physicality and his ability to win in tight windows.
But Green isn’t just a jump-ball specialist. He’s a legitimate YAC threat, averaging 6.1 yards after the catch last season - a number that puts him well above the curve for tight ends. Whether it’s dragging defenders after the catch or bursting through the seam on a delayed release, Green has the kind of versatility that makes him a nightmare to game-plan for.
It’s a bit of a surprise that he was the only LSU player named to the All-America first team, especially considering the influx of talent brought in this offseason. But his inclusion is more than justified. In a program that’s rapidly evolving, Trey’Dez Green is a constant - and with a new offensive scheme built to highlight his strengths, don’t be shocked if he takes another leap in 2026.