LSU’s fall camp may draw plenty of attention on offense, but the defense has the kind of questions that can shape the Tigers’ 2026 season.
That matters because LSU finished 27th nationally in total defense last year, and if the Tigers are going to push for a national title out of the SEC, that number has to move in the right direction. Lane Kiffin brought in help, and the next few weeks will tell a lot about how that group comes together.
One of the biggest things to watch is how LSU’s four freshmen on the defensive line settle in. The Tigers signed Lamar Brown, Richard Anderson, Deuce Geralds and Trenton Henderson, all top 100 prospects, and there’s already buzz around the group.
Geralds made such an impression in spring that it was easy to forget he was a freshman at all. He’s only 6 feet, 280 pounds, but he was the best defensive lineman on the field in spring camp.
The consensus four-star prospect is also the all-time sack leader in Georgia high school football history.
Brown, the No. 1 defensive lineman in the country, arrived on campus after enrolling in the summer and will be making the move to defensive end. Anderson should also see a lot of work early.
He was productive in spring, earned some first-team reps and was once viewed as the best defensive line prospect in the country alongside Brown. A two-time all-state selection, he also earned Class 5A Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors as a senior.
Henderson, a Pensacola native, is another name to keep in mind. The consensus four-star recruit is ranked as high as No. 8 nationally at his position by 247Sports, and he could become a sneaky factor in camp and during the season if things break right.
The edge rush spot is another area LSU has to sort out. Beyond Princewill Umanmielen, the Tigers need answers at defensive end, especially with Gabe Reliford’s injury exposing how thin the depth chart is there.
Jordan Ross transferred in from Tennessee as a former five-star edge rusher, and he has the size to look the part at 6-5, 245 pounds. Still, he hasn’t yet shown the same upside that made him such a big recruit out of high school.
After those two, there isn’t much proven experience, and that makes pressure off the edge a real question mark.
Cornerback has a clearer top end, with sophomore DJ Pickett and junior PJ Woodland set as the starters for now. Pickett had a strong debut season, earning Freshman All-American honors while leading LSU with three interceptions.
He added 37 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack. Woodland was just as important in coverage, allowing only one touchdown while also posting nine pass breakups and two interceptions.
The deeper cornerback spots, though, still need to sort themselves out. Ja’Keem Jackson has spent much of his career with Corey Raymond, but he still hasn’t quite made his mark.
He needs a strong fall camp to prove he can help on Saturdays. Michael Turner, who weighs just 160 pounds, flashed during spring and will try to keep building momentum.
And there’s also a freshman group that includes Havon Finney, Dezyrian Ellis and Emari Peterson, all of whom could get a look as camp unfolds.
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The defensive line picture brought another wrinkle, with freshman Deuce Geralds getting first-unit reps at tackle as LSU kept mixing and matching bodies up front. For a team trying to settle on dependable pieces before the season starts, those early choices matter, and the next few practices should say plenty about whether the newcomers are simply getting a look or forcing their way into real roles. [Read more 🡒]