A Defensive Squad Poised for Impact
The Football Writers Association of America has announced the 2025 preseason watch list for the Nagurski Trophy, the award given to the nation’s top defensive player. Sixty‑eight standout defenders have been named, and two members of the LSU Tigers’ defense have earned a spot on the list.
Whit Weeks, a senior linebacker who has been a three‑year starter for LSU, brings a career total of 205 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. His performance helped the Tigers compile a 17‑5 record during his time in the starting lineup, and he earned first‑team All‑SEC honors as a sophomore and twice received Defensive Player of the Week recognition in 2024.
Joining him is Princewill Umanmielen, a transfer from Ole Miss who contributed to a 13‑2 season and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance in 2025. Umanmielen ranked third in the SEC with eight sacks and eighth with 13 tackles for loss, earning third‑team All‑SEC honors. His experience adds depth to a unit that has already shown the ability to dominate opponents.
A Legacy of Defensive Excellence
The Nagurski Trophy has a storied history at LSU, most notably when former Tiger Glenn Dorsey captured the award in 2007 en route to a BCS National Championship. Dorsey’s achievement set a benchmark for future defensive standouts, and the current watch list places Weeks and Umanmielen in the conversation about continuing that tradition.
LSU’s defensive unit enters the upcoming season with high expectations, bolstered by the presence of these experienced players and the program’s recent success, including a 17‑5 record when Weeks has started. The coaching staff believes the blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent positions the Tigers to contend for another championship.