Lane Kiffin hasn’t wasted any time putting his stamp on LSU football. In his first offseason at the helm in Baton Rouge, Kiffin has retooled the Tigers’ roster with a mix of proven transfers, elite high school talent, and key returning veterans.
The result? A team that looks dramatically different on paper - and potentially much more dangerous on the field.
Let’s break down the 2026 LSU Tigers roster, position by position, and take a closer look at the names you’ll want to know heading into this new era of LSU football.
Quarterback Room: New Faces, New Competition
LSU’s quarterback group has undergone a complete overhaul.
Three transfers - Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), Husan Longstreet (USC), and Landen Clark (Elon) - will battle it out for the starting job. Leavitt brings Pac-12 experience, Longstreet has the pedigree from USC, and Clark is a small-school standout looking to prove he belongs in the SEC spotlight.
It’s a wide-open competition, and Kiffin has options.
Running Backs: Depth, Speed, and Explosiveness
The backfield is loaded - and fast.
Harlem Berry and Caden Durham return as familiar faces, while four transfers bring new energy: Raycine Guillory (Utah), Rod Gainey (Charlotte), Dilin Jones (Wisconsin), and Stacy Gage (UCF). That’s a versatile group with a mix of SEC power, Big Ten toughness, and speed from all corners of the country.
Expect Kiffin to rotate heavily and ride the hot hand.
Wide Receivers: A Deep, Dynamic Group
LSU’s receiving corps might be the deepest unit on the team.
Thirteen players make up this group, including transfer standouts like Jayce Brown (Kansas State), Eugene “Tre” Wilson (Florida), and **Winnie Watkins Jr. ** (Ole Miss).
Add in high-upside freshmen like Corey Barber (five-star), Jabari Mack (four-star), and Brayden Allen (three-star), and Kiffin has a wide-open playbook. The mix of experience and youth gives LSU plenty of options to stretch the field and work underneath.
Tight Ends: Versatility in the Middle
Trey’Dez Green returns as the leader of this group, but the tight end room gets a boost with Malachi Thomas (Pitt) and Zach Grace (Oregon) joining the fold.
Freshman JC Anderson, a four-star recruit, adds another layer of athleticism. Expect Kiffin to get creative here - this group can block, catch, and flex out wide.
Offensive Line: Reinforcements Up Front
The offensive line sees a major influx of talent.
Transfers like Jordan Seaton (Colorado), Darrin Strey (Kentucky), and William Satterwhite (Tennessee) bring Power Five experience, while Aliou Bah (Maryland) and Sean Thompkins (Baylor) add depth and size. Returning pieces like Braelin Moore and Weston Davis provide continuity.
This unit is critical to LSU’s success, especially with a new quarterback under center.
Edge Rushers/Defensive Ends: Speed and Disruption
Kiffin’s defense gets a jolt off the edge with Princewill Umanmielen (Ole Miss), Jordan Ross (Tennessee), and Jaylen Brown (South Carolina) transferring in.
Add in returning talents Gabriel Reliford and Damien Shanklin, plus five-star freshman Lamar Brown, and this group has the tools to wreak havoc in the backfield. It’s a deep, athletic unit that fits the modern SEC mold.
Defensive Tackles: Strength in the Trenches
Interior pressure will come from a mix of familiar and new faces.
Dominick McKinley and Brandon Brown return, while Stephiylan Green (Clemson) and Malik Blocton (Auburn) bring SEC experience. Freshmen Richard Anderson (five-star) and Deuce Geralds (four-star) round out a group that should rotate heavily and stay fresh deep into games.
Linebackers: Stability and Growth
The linebacker unit leans on continuity.
Whit Weeks, Davhon Keys, Keylan Moses, and Zach Weeks return, giving the Tigers a solid core. TJ Dottery (Ole Miss) and Theo Grace (North Dakota State) add depth and competition.
This group doesn’t have the flashiest names, but it might be one of the most reliable units on the team.
Cornerbacks: Youth and Potential
Eight cornerbacks are confirmed, led by returners DJ Pickett, PJ Woodland, and Ja’Keem Jackson.
The Tigers also add promising freshmen like Havon Finney (four-star) and Dezyrian Ellis and Emari Peterson (three-stars). There’s a lot of potential here, but it may take a few games to see how the rotation shakes out.
Safeties: Experience Meets Upside
The safety group is deep with 11 players, including key returners like Dashawn Spears, Tamarcus Cooley, and Jhase Thomas.
Transfers Ty Benefield (Boise State), Treylan James (Southern), and Faheem Delane (Ohio State) bring experience from different systems. Freshmen Aiden Hall, Isaiah Washington, and Jackson Williams are developmental pieces with upside.
This unit should be a strength on the back end of the defense.
Special Teams: New Legs and Familiar Faces
Grant Chadwick returns to handle punting duties, but he’ll be pushed by Hayden Craig (Florida). Kicker Scott Starzyk (Arkansas) and long snapper Mack Mulhern (Florida) round out a revamped special teams unit that could play a pivotal role in close SEC matchups.
Final Thoughts
This is a roster built for immediate impact.
Lane Kiffin didn’t just reload - he reshaped the Tigers with a blend of high-end transfers, blue-chip freshmen, and returning veterans who know what it takes to compete in the SEC. The quarterback battle will draw headlines, but the real story might be the depth across the board.
LSU has options, talent, and a head coach who knows how to maximize both.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a fascinating one in Baton Rouge.