LSU’s fall camp is already in full swing, and the buzz around the program is unmistakable. Early practices have put a spotlight on quarterback Sam Leavitt, whose recovery from offseason work has become a focal point for coaches and fans alike.
What has impressed many is the emergence of several youngsters who are earning meaningful reps earlier than expected. The defensive line, bolstered by a mix of five‑star freshmen and seasoned seniors, has turned the trenches into a daily laboratory of competition.
Yet the most pressing question marks the secondary. A torn ACL suffered by sophomore Aidan Anding left the cornerback room thin, prompting the arrival of five newcomers — transfer Treylan James and freshmen Havon Finney, Emari Peterson and Dez Ellis — to join the mix.
A Critical Juncture for the Tigers
Coaches are now faced with a stark decision: which of the returning options — Michael Turner Jr., Ja'Keem Jackson and Craig Walton Jr. — can lock down the outside alongside established starters DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland? The answer will shape the unit’s readiness for the upcoming campaign.
Beyond individual battles, the staff is keenly aware that the defensive front must buttress an offensive line that struggled mightily last season. If the line can hold, the Tigers hope to translate their early camp momentum into a more balanced attack when the 2026 schedule begins.