4 Takeaways From LSU's First Six Fall Camp Practices

After six practices, LSU is in full pads and ramping up its fall camp practices. The intensity of practice has grown each day.

Head coach Lane Kiffin has been keeping his eyes on the quarterbacks for the practice periods that the media has been able to view, and defensive coordinator Blake Baker has his squad ready to step up and compete with the best teams in the country.

Here are four takeaways from the start of fall camp, now that the Tigers are in a groove.

The running game will be different than past years

Caden Durham runs the ball against Arkansas in 2025 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

LSU didn't look like it would have much of a makeover in the running back room, as far as starters were concerned. Then came Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones, who has emerged as the likely starter after a strong spring. He hasn't stopped.

"Dilin's been great. [He] really has had a great week too, and kind of taken off from where he did in the spring," Kiffin said Monday. "[Harlem Berry and Caden Durham] still have a lot of work to go and improve. And so this is where they're at now, but we want to push them more."

Running backs coach Kevin Smith came to LSU this offseason via the Lane Train after spending the last three seasons with the Rebels. He has been bringing a competitive energy to the running back room, along with a thorough teaching method.

The Tigers also improved their offensive line. Adding Colorado transfer left tackle Jordan Seaton, Maryland right guard Aliou Bah, and the return of center Braelin Moore and others puts LSU in a good position in what should be a versatile run game.

Sam Leavitt is poised for a big year

Sam Leavitt looks on before a 2025 game against Texas Tech | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Quarterback Sam Leavitt's commitment to LSU was the biggest win for the Tigers in the offseason. He helped lead Arizona State to a Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff berth in 2024 with 2,885 passing yards that season. Leavitt is prepared for another big year at LSU.

"Sam's had a great week. Had a great practice today, taking care of the ball, really throwing the ball really accurate and on time. And [I'm] extremely pleased with his week and how he looks," Kiffin said after Monday's practice. "We're really excited."

During practice, Leavitt has looked solid while getting his timing right with his wide receivers. On deep balls, post routes, out routes and slants, Leavitt has hit most of his targets, with one sticking out.

Trey'Dez Green might be the best tight end in the country and has been one of Leavitt's favorite targets in practice. That duo could put up huge numbers this year, even though Leavitt is coming off multiple foot surgeries. He's ready for the season.

"I'm 100% right now, and I've been 100% for the past few months," Leavitt said Monday.

The defensive line is set for years

Richard Anderson poses for LSU media day | @5star_rich - Instagram

LSU's 2026 class featured three of the top defensive linemen in the country: defensive tackles Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson, and edge Lamar Brown. They have lit up fall camp.

"I've played in the ACC, played against good Clemson teams, played in the SEC," senior center Braelin Moore said. "Those freshmen are developed more than some of the players I played in their fourth year."

Geralds has been getting first-team reps since the spring and is ferocious in the trenches. Anderson, though a slightly higher-rated prospect, has joined him in with first-team reps in practice. Both would be deserving of a starting spot at this point in the fall.

Brown was the highest-rated recruit for the Tigers and has looked phenomenal so far in the fall. But he won't be the starter. Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen and Tennessee transfer Jordan Ross are likely locked in as the starters. But Brown will still see the field plenty.

"I talked to Ed [Orgeron] about that," Kiffin said about the trio of freshmen. "I was kind of thinking all the places over here we've been, and even when we've been together or separate, neither of us has had that [much young talent]."

Kiffin also brought up freshman edge Trenton Henderson from Pensacola, Fla. as a standout freshman in the talented group. He was ranked as the No. 15 edge in the 2026 class.

LSU's wide receiver room is as advertised

Winnie Watkins runs on the field before the 2025 Fiesta Bowl | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

LSU only returned one receiver from last year in Phillip Wright, and only has one who has played with Kiffin before, with Winnie Watkins coming over from Ole Miss. Watkins has been absent over the last two practices, though. The depth is still remarkable.

"No one had a head start on anybody. So they're all basically new, and we retooled that room, almost from top to bottom. It's been very competitive," Kiffin said. "It's really one of the better rooms from the bottom of it, the competition down there and the quality of it, which is important."

The wide receivers have looked great in practice and in combination with Leavitt so far. Kansas State transfer Jayce Brown and Watkins have top-tier explosiveness and are likely going to be starters.

Hawaii transfer Jackson Harris has shown off in practice what he is capable of with his hands and feet and could also easily be a starter. Then come Eugene Wilson, Tre' Brown, Wright, Corey Barber and Malik Elzy, who will all play a part on this team.

Elzy and Wilson, transfers from Illinois and Florida, respectively, are going to be big parts of this group. Both of them are extremely quick and can beat defensive backs out of the slot. This group is going to be fun to watch.

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