Safety unit reshuffles
The 2026 preseason camp at LSU has already produced a clear shift in how the Tigers plan to deploy their defense, a move that head coach Lane Kiffin described as essential for maintaining fresh legs early in the schedule.
At the heart of the change is the safety position, where veteran Tamarcus Cooley, who logged 113 tackles and five interceptions last season, was reassigned to the second team. In his place, true freshman Jhase Thomas earned the first‑team slot, a decision that reflects both his raw talent and the coaching staff’s willingness to test youthful legs in high‑stakes moments.
Joining Thomas in the backfield, Boise State transfer Ty Benefield retained his spot in the starting unit, giving the defense a blend of experience and transfer readiness as the staff evaluates chemistry.
Tackle competition
Along the interior line, the most talked‑about development involves freshman defensive tackle Deuce Geralds. After impressing during spring drills, Geralds was slotted into the first unit, a promotion that could see him line up against Clemson in the season opener. The move comes as Dominick McKinley, a junior tackle, received only limited reps with the third team, suggesting a potential reduction in his starting responsibilities.
The interior line also features another blue‑chip freshman, Richard Anderson, who was placed on the second unit alongside Geralds, underscoring a deep pool of talent that the coaching staff hopes to harness through early rotations.
These adjustments illustrate a broader strategy: LSU is using the first few weeks of practice to experiment with personnel combinations, ensuring that the most effective groupings are ready when the opening game arrives.