LSU’s defensive front may be one of the most intriguing parts of this rebuilt roster, and the reason has as much to do with youth as it does with the transfer portal. Lane Kiffin went shopping for experience, adding Ole Miss defensive end Princewill Umanmielen, Tennessee’s Jordan Ross and defensive tackle Malik Blocton. But as fall camp has unfolded, the freshmen inside may be the group making the loudest early case for playing time.
Deuce Geralds, Lamar Brown and Richard Anderson have all stood out, giving LSU a rare kind of young talent in the middle of the defense. That kind of immediate impact is hard to find from freshmen, but this group is pushing the issue. Brown, in particular, arrives with serious credentials as the highest-rated defensive lineman in the 2026 class and the kind of versatility that can make a coach rethink how quickly he leans on a newcomer.
Kiffin didn’t exactly pour cold water on the idea, but he did make it clear that expectations for freshmen need to be kept in check. “We're really excited about him, his ability to do multiple things,” Kiffin said.
“Again, that will take a little time; he just got here. I think everybody expects all these freshmen to have these elite freshman years, and that's not really what's happening a lot around the country because rosters don't have as many holes because they're filled by portal players.”
That’s the tension here. LSU brought in veteran help because that’s usually the safest way to fill out a roster that needs to win right away.
But the freshmen are making their own argument, and fast. Brown, Geralds and Anderson have reportedly handled first- and second-team install as quickly as any freshman Blake Baker has coached.
Baker is also looking for a better pass rush, and Umanmielen and Ross were brought in to help deliver it. Still, the young interior linemen have made this a real competition, not just a developmental exercise. Coaches usually prefer patience with freshmen, but LSU may not have that luxury if these three keep flashing the way they have.
With so many unknowns on the roster, every strong practice matters. The experienced pieces are there, but so is a freshman trio that could climb the depth chart sooner than expected.
In Other News...
LSU Suddenly Has A Fall Camp Concern Before Clemson
LSUs 12th fall camp practice brought a little more clarity in one spot and a little more concern in another as the Tigers continued their buildup to Clemson. Sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett was back on the field in a non-contact jersey for the first time this preseason, but he still took part in drills and did not appear limited during the media viewing period.
The bigger question came from the absences, with sophomore running back Harlem Berry and junior defensive end Jordan Ross out again after missing the previous days work. For a camp already shaped by the push toward the opener, repeated missed practice time at two key spots is the kind of development LSU will keep watching closely even as junior quarterback Sam Leavitt continued to look sharp and efficient, connecting on several passes including deep throws. [Read more 🡒]
Ed Orgeron Brings A Familiar Jolt Back To LSU
Ed Orgeron is back around LSU in a familiar role, and his return has added a little old-school energy to a preseason camp full of fresh faces. After four seasons away from coaching, Orgeron has rejoined the program as a special assistant to recruiting and defense, and he has already been active in practices. His work has been especially noticeable with the defensive line, where his hands-on approach and long track record in college football have given LSU another experienced voice on a mostly new staff.
For a program that has leaned on change in recent years, Orgerons presence offers something different: familiarity, urgency and a clear sense of what the Tigers have been in the past. He remains known for the kind of passionate coaching style that can light up a practice field, and LSU is also counting on the recruiting edge that helped define his rise through the game. Even without a headline role, he has quickly become one of the more interesting additions around the program this fall. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Has A New Defensive Tackle Battle Fans Need To Watch
LSU is in the final stages of its offseason work with Lane Kiffins debut game against Clemson looming, and one of the more interesting subplots in Fall Camp is developing right in the middle of the defensive front. The Tigers added three defensive linemen last December, and all three true freshmen are now getting meaningful chances to show they belong as LSU sorts through its defensive tackle options.
The competition has become a real camp storyline because the staff is giving significant first-team run to a trio of newcomers, which says plenty about how unsettled the depth chart still is. For a defense that wants to be ready when the season opener arrives, the next stretch of camp will help determine how quickly the line can settle into place and which young tackles can handle the pressure of playing early. [Read more 🡒]