The History of LSU Football's No. 18: Who's Next?
The prestigious jersey No. 18 will be given to an LSU Tiger sooner rather than later with a number of worthy candidates looking to carry on the tradition.
A player who is deserving both on and off the field, it’s an honor that Brian Kelly doesn’t take lightly when distributing. He’s done his research and understands the significance of the honor.
“The No. 18 is the player who brings all those traits of someone who leads in an extraordinary manner,” Kelly said last offseason. “The attention to detail, great focus, represents the program in a positive way in the classroom, in the community and on the field."
There are a number of worthy candidates to represent the No. 18 jersey in the fashion this program is looking for, but three certainly stand out from the rest.
A look into a trio of Tigers who could wear No. 18 in 2023:
Josh Williams - Running Back
Williams is the epitome of an LSU Tiger and his dedication to the program has shined bright during his time in Baton Rouge. A locker room favorite, he’s become a leader the Tigers fall back on when in a time of need.
The former walk-on has earned a scholarship, carved out a starting running back role and given back to the community in his time with the program. Now, as he enters his final season with LSU, Williams has all the makings of wearing No. 18 for the Tigers.
A selfless, passionate player, Williams checks all of the boxes as a guy who is deserving of wearing the coveted jersey number in 2023.
Maason Smith - Defensive Tackle
As Smith gears up for a season of revenge after missing the 2022 season with a torn ACL, he’s evolved into a player this program falls back on. When he went down last September, the Tigers dedicated the 2022 season to the sophomore shortly after.
The mindset following the injury, the dedication to his rehabilitation process and the love for his teammates quickly made Smith a locker room favorite despite going down with an injury. A player who came to Baton Rouge as a prized prospect, he’s been an even better person off the field.
The definition of a player who could wear No. 18, Smith is candidate No. 2 in Tigers who we could see wear the jersey in 2023.
Major Burns - Safety
Burns has faced adversity time and time again during his time with the LSU football program. It’s been a battle in getting the Louisiana native on the field after facing the injury bug during most of his time, but the response following injury has been what’s shined bright.
This team has circled around Burns and followed him as a leader in the locker room. A defensive back that could carry on the tradition in 2023, Burns could be another candidate to wear the historic number this fall.
The last 10 Tigers to wear No. 18:
2015-16: Tre’Davious White (cornerback)
2017: J.D. Moore (tight end)
2017: Christian LaCouture (defensive line)
2018: Foster Moreau (tight end)
2019: K’Lavon Chaisson (outside linebacker)
2019: Lloyd Cushenberry III (center)
2020: Chris Curry (running back)
2020-21: Damone Clark (linebacker)
2021: Avery Atkins (placekicker)
2022: BJ Ojulari (defensive end)
