The rivalry between LSU and Ole Miss has always had teeth, but Lane Kiffin’s move from Oxford to Baton Rouge didn’t just turn up the heat - it lit a fire. Since Kiffin took the reins at LSU, the two SEC programs have been locked in a high-stakes tug-of-war for talent, from assistant coaches to key players. And this week, LSU just scored another big win.
Linebacker TJ Dottery - a former Clemson transfer who became a defensive cornerstone for Ole Miss - is headed to LSU. The redshirt senior announced his commitment, giving the Tigers a major boost on the defensive side of the ball and dealing another blow to a Rebels defense already facing some serious attrition.
Dottery, who was previously known as TJ Dudley, made his mark over the past two seasons in Pete Golding’s defense. He racked up 174 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and forced three fumbles during his time in Oxford. In 2025 alone, he posted 98 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks - a model of consistency and production that made him one of the SEC’s more underrated defenders.
What made Dottery stand out wasn’t just the stat sheet - it was his reliability. He notched at least five tackles in 12 of Ole Miss’ 15 games last season, showing up every week and anchoring the second level of the defense.
His best showing came on the biggest stage: the College Football Playoff semifinal against Miami, where he tallied 11 tackles and a tackle for loss. It was the kind of performance that turns heads - and clearly, LSU was paying attention.
Dottery’s departure is a tough pill to swallow for Ole Miss. Pete Golding now faces the challenge of retooling a defense that’s already in flux.
With the potential exit of Princewill Umanmielen and the likely loss of Trinidad Chambliss, the Rebels are staring down a major defensive rebuild. That’s not ideal for a team trying to stay in the upper tier of college football’s elite.
As for LSU, this is another chess move in what’s become a fierce off-field battle with their SEC West rival. Kiffin continues to reshape the Tigers with familiar faces, and Dottery brings both experience and SEC-tested toughness to a linebacker room that just got a whole lot deeper.
Circle September 19, 2026, on your calendar. That’s when LSU heads to Oxford, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. With Dottery now donning purple and gold, the storyline writes itself - and you can bet both sidelines will be bringing extra fire that Saturday.